Food moths do damage to various food products including grains, cereals, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, rice, pet food, etc. The larvae feed on the food, and the adult moths lay eggs. The adult food moths typically have brownish wings, and are about a centimeter long. The larvae are whitish or yellowish in colour, and look like a small worm. Moth eggs are too small to be seen. Moth eggs are brought into a home in a food product (often a bulk food product), or an adult moth may fly into your home through an open window or door. They are not an indication of a sanitation problem. There are a number of foods on which moth larvae feed including grains, cereals, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, rice, pet food, etc.

Step 1. The very first step is to locate and throw away the source of the moths. Because moths usually enter a home as eggs in a food product, upon inspection of your dry goods you will likely find one product that has a large number of the worm-like larvae. Until you locate and throw this away, it will be impossible to completely eradicate the problem.

Step 2. It is important to kill the adult moths as you see them. The adults do not live very long (only a couple of days), but each female lays hundreds of eggs. Therefore, few adults are required to perpetuate the problem. Typically, the moths do not like light and they tend to linger in corners where the walls meet the ceiling.

Step 3. Even after the initial food source is thrown away and adult moths killed, there are hundreds of eggs deposited in and around the kitchen. Until these eggs are removed, the problem will continue. Therefore, the next step is to vacuum. Because moths are able to deposit eggs anywhere that they are able to fly, a thorough vacuuming is necessary. Everything should be removed from all kitchen cupboards, and using the crack and crevice tool (the skinny end piece), vacuum all cracks and crevices in and around the cupboards, floor boards, and ceiling. Once the job has been completed, throw the vacuum bag away.

Note: Washing the cupboards and counters is not effective as it serves to push eggs more deeply into cracks where they will continue to develop. Eggs are extremely resistant, and cleaning products will not kill them.

I've tried everything and I still have moths!

Because of the number of eggs involved in the moth life cycle, it can take a long time to get on top of the problem. If the problem persists for more than a couple of weeks after removing the source, killing adult moths, and doing the recommended vacuuming, it is time to call a professional. No. Eggs may be in any dry food, and because they are too small to see, it is impossible to know if you have an infested source until egg development begins. Eggs may remain dormant for long periods of time, so a food source that has once appeared larvae-free may show up as being infested at a later date.

While impossible to prevent moths from getting into your home, it is possible to lower the risk of them spreading by keeping dry foods in sealed containers as opposed to bags or boxes.

Moths are more likely to come in foods that are purchased from bulk containers as opposed to individually sealed packages.

You can't! People consume thousands of moth eggs over a lifetime without knowing it. If you are concerned that some food products may have become infested due to a prior moth problem, you can put the food in the freezer for three to five days. Freezing will kill any eggs that may be in the food. Clothing moths do damage to fabrics made of natural and synthetic fibers. The larvae do the actual damage to the materials, and the adults lay eggs. Adult moths have golden yellow, dark gray or brown wings. They are about 12mm long, and they do not like light; therefore, they are often discovered in dark closets, drawers, or boxes where clothing articles are kept. They rarely fly around the house. Clothing moths may come into a home through an open door or window, or in an infested item of clothing, piece of furniture, etc. The larvae feed on natural and synthetic fibers including wool, furs, hair, cotton, feathers, etc. Therefore, moths can cause considerable damage to carpets, clothing, rugs, upholstery--anything made with fabric.

It is important to realize that moths may be feeding on small pieces of material that have fallen behind baseboards, a forgotten sock in a storage drawer, or a piece of artwork. Therefore, a thorough investigation is required to locate the food source for a given infestation of moths. Clothing that has been damaged by clothing moth larvae have characteristic holes. As moths eat through clothing, the fibers thin out and eventually the moths penetrate all the way through the clothing and create a hole. Therefore, the holes are surrounded by thinned out material; a gradient of penetration occurs.

Step 1. The very first step is to locate and throw away the source of the moths. Because you are likely to discover damaged articles first, it is a good idea to inspect all clothing or material goods that are stored with the damaged item. It is likely that you will find at least one item that has a large number of the worm-like larvae. This item should be removed and either thrown away or thoroughly cleaned. Until you locate and treat the source, it will be impossible to completely eradicate the problem.

Step 2. It is important to kill the adult moths as you see them. The adults do not live very long (only a couple of days), but each female lays hundreds of eggs. Therefore, few adults are required to perpetuate the problem. Typically, the moths do not like light and they tend to linger in dark corners.

Step 3. Even after the initial source is thrown away and adult moths killed, there are hundreds of eggs deposited in and around where the source was found. Until these eggs are removed, the problem will continue. Therefore, the next step is to vacuum. Because moths are able to deposit eggs anywhere that they are able to fly, a thorough vacuuming is necessary. Everything should be removed from all drawers and closets where damaged goods have been found, and using the crack and crevice tool (the skinny end piece), vacuum all cracks and crevices in and around the shelving, floor boards, and ceiling. Once the job has been completed, throw the vacuum bag away. Any clothing stored with the source should be inspected and either dry-cleaned, put through a hot wash cycle, or put in the freezer for three to five days. These methods will kill any eggs that may be in the fabric.

Note: Washing the drawers, floors and counters is not effective as it serves to push eggs more deeply into cracks where they will continue to develop. Eggs are extremely resistant, and cleaning products will not kill them. I've tried everything and I still have moths!

Because of the number of eggs involved in the moth life cycle, it can take a long time to get on top of the problem. If the problem persists for more than two weeks after removing the source, killing adults, and doing the recommended vacuuming, it is time to call a professional.

No.
Because moths enter from the outside, it is impossible to prevent their entry. Furthermore, because they are too small to see, there may be eggs inside a piece of clothing you bring home without you knowing it. Eggs may remain dormant for long periods of time, so a source that has once appeared larvae-free may show up as being infested at a later date.

There are some preventative measures that can help reduce the chances that clothing moths will establish nests in your home:

Remove or destroy any old bird, wasp, rodent or insect nests in or around your home. These old nests that are protected by your home are excellent breeding places for clothing moths (and other insects).

Vacuum regularly.

Clear away lint accumulations.

Occasionally move furniture, drapes, rugs, etc. to disturb potential nesting sites and to aid in cleaning.

Occasionally brush or dry clean susceptible clothing.