How to moth-proof a pantry | Non-toxic

How to moth-proof a pantry

The best pantry moth infestation is the one that never starts. Moth-proofing a pantry is mostly about denying them food and catching any hitchhikers early. A few simple habits will keep your dry goods safe for good. Here is how to make your pantry a place pantry moths cannot get a foothold, the non-toxic way.

How pantry moths get in

Most infestations arrive from the store, hidden as eggs or tiny larvae inside a bag of flour, birdseed, grain or pet food. They are almost impossible to spot at the checkout, so they ride home and hatch in your warm pantry. That is why moth-proofing starts at the door with what you bring in, and continues with how you store it. A few good habits keep them from ever settling in. (More on the how and why: Why pantry moths keep coming back and 8 ways to keep bugs out of your pantry.)

The non-toxic way to moth-proof

Move dry goods out of their flimsy packaging and into sealed glass or metal containers, which both traps any stowaways and keeps new moths out. New bags of flour, grain, birdseed and pet food are the usual way an infestation sneaks in, so freeze them for a week before they go on the shelf to kill any eggs riding along. Keep a Pantry Moth Trap hanging year-round as an early warning system, so you catch a single stray male before it can start a population. Swap in a fresh trap every three months once one is opened, since that is how long the lure stays potent. Unopened traps keep for up to three years from their manufacture date, so the next one is always ready to go. Wipe up crumbs and spills, rotate older items to the front and puff Dust to Dust in a thin, even layer into shelf cracks and back corners with the Insect Buster, where the Dust to Dust works as a lasting barrier in the spots you cannot seal.

Moth-proof your pantry

• Seal everything: move your dry goods into airtight glass or metal containers.
• Freeze new bulk buys: freeze new grain, flour, birdseed and pet food for a week before shelving to kill hidden eggs.
• Inspect new groceries: check new bags for webbing or clumping before they hit the shelf.
• Monitor with a trap: keep a Pantry Moth Trap up year-round and replace it every three months once opened.
• Keep it clean: wipe crumbs, rotate stock and puff Dust to Dust into shelf cracks.

Related: How to kill pantry moths and How to get rid of pantry moths in the pantry.

Shop non-toxic pantry moth control → browse the full Pantry moth collection.