How To Get Rid of Pantry Moths and Larvae in Your Kitchen

If you’ve spotted tiny worms in your food or noticed small moths flying around your kitchen, you likely have an Indian meal moth infestation—commonly known as pantry moths. These pests sneak into your home through packaged food and multiply quickly, contaminating dry goods like flour, cereal, rice, pet food, and even bird seed.

Getting rid of pantry moths requires a thorough cleanout of your pantry, as these pests lay eggs in food packaging and dark crevices. You’ll need to discard infested items, deep clean storage areas, and take preventive steps to keep them from returning. While frustrating, proper food storage and diligent cleanup can eliminate the problem for good.

Read on for more information on how to identify, remove, and prevent pantry moth infestations so that your food stays pest-free.

How To Identify Pantry Moths

Most homeowners don’t notice pantry moth infestations until they spread. Look for these telltale signs:

• Larvae in Food: The most unsettling discovery is opening a bag of flour or pouring cereal, only to see tiny white worms. These larvae start off nearly invisible but can grow up to ⅔ of an inch long, with black or brown heads. They spin silk-like webbing as they feed, creating clumps in grains, rice, pasta, and other dry goods. You may also notice tiny cast-off skins left behind after they molt.
• Larvae in Your Home: As the larvae mature, they leave their food source and wander in search of a place to pupate. You might spot them crawling on walls, across ceilings, or even hanging from a thin silk thread. They tend to gather in dark, undisturbed corners.
• Cocoons: Once the larvae find a suitable hiding spot, they spin web-like cocoons, often on the tops of cabinets, in pantry corners, or inside cracks and crevices. These cocoons house the developing moths until they emerge as adults.
• Flying Moths: The final stage of the infestation is the adult pantry moth. These small, brownish moths are about ½ inch long and are most noticeable fluttering around your kitchen, especially near lights in the evening. If you’re seeing multiple moths, there are likely more larvae and eggs hiding in your pantry.

How To Control Pantry Moths

Once pantry moths invade, they can spread quickly, laying eggs in food packaging and hidden crevices. Since they reproduce multiple times a year, it’s crucial to take immediate action. Follow these steps to eliminate the infestation and prevent it from returning:

1. Eliminate the Source

Identify the contaminated food source—typically a bag of flour, rice, birdseed, or pet food. Seal it in a plastic bag and dispose of it immediately in a trash can outside your home.

2. Deep Clean Your Pantry

Pantry moth eggs and larvae can hide in packaging, shelf cracks, and even peg holes. Use the following cleaning steps to remove all pests:

• Discard Infested Food: Throw away all grains, flour, cereals, and other dry goods that are not in airtight containers. If you’re unsure about an item, it’s safer to toss it.
• Remove Paper and Cardboard Packaging: Moths lay eggs in the folds of boxes and bags, so discard anything that isn’t in a sealed jar or can. If the infestation is severe, consider tossing everything and starting fresh.
• Wash and Disinfect Shelves: Scrub pantry surfaces with hot, soapy water, followed by a weak bleach solution.
• Use a Vinegar Rinse: Mix water, vinegar, and a few drops of peppermint oil to wipe down shelves—this helps kill eggs and naturally repels moths.
• Clean Jars and Cans: Even unopened jars and cans can have eggs hiding around the lids. Wash them thoroughly with hot, soapy water and check for larvae in the crevices.
• Detail Clean Peg Holes and Crevices: If your pantry has adjustable shelves or pegboard, use a toothpick to clear out tiny holes where eggs and webbing may be hiding.
• Vacuum Thoroughly: Clean pantry floors and corners, then immediately discard the vacuum bag or empty the canister outside.
• Sanitize Trash Bins: After disposal, wash your trash can and recycling bin to remove any lingering eggs or larvae.

3. Set Pheromone Traps

Use sticky pantry moth traps, such as Safer Pantry Pest Traps, to catch male moths and break the breeding cycle. While these won’t eliminate the infestation entirely, they help monitor the problem and reduce the number of moths.

4. Treat Suspect Food (If You Want to Save It)

If you’re hesitant to throw away everything, you can attempt to salvage food by:

• Oven-heating: Bake dry goods at 140°F for at least an hour.
• Microwaving: Heat items on high for five minutes.
• Freezing: Seal items in a plastic bag and freeze them for at least a week to kill eggs and larvae.

5. Avoid Using Pesticides

Don’t use insect sprays and chemical pesticides near food products. Stick to natural cleaning methods and proper food storage to prevent reinfestation.

6. Be Patient—It Can Take Months to Fully Eradicate

Even after cleaning, stray eggs or hidden larvae may still exist. A severe infestation may take up to six months to fully resolve as new moths continue to emerge. Wait until you’re confident the problem is gone before restocking your pantry with long-term dry goods.

By following these steps, you’ll not only get rid of pantry moths but also keep them from coming back.

How To Prevent Future Infestation of Pantry Moths

Once you’ve eliminated pantry moths, the best way to keep them from coming back is by changing how you store food and maintaining a clean pantry. Follow these steps to keep your kitchen pest-free:

1. Keep Your Pantry Organized

Regularly check expiration dates and discard old or forgotten dry goods. Be sure to inspect new food purchases for signs of infestation before putting them away.

2. Store Dry Goods in Airtight Containers

Transfer grains, flour, rice, and other dry goods into rigid, airtight containers made of glass, metal, or heavy-duty plastic. Moths can chew through thin plastic bags and cardboard boxes. Store large bags of pet food and birdseed in sealed containers—preferably outside the kitchen, in the garage, or in the shed.

3. Buy in Small Quantities

Purchase only as much grain-based food as you can use within a few weeks. The longer food sits, the more likely an infestation can develop.

4. Use the Freezer to Kill Hidden Eggs

Pantry moth eggs often come home with your groceries. To prevent an infestation, freeze newly purchased flour, rice, or grains for at least a week before storing them in the pantry. If you have the space, consider keeping seldom-used dry goods in the freezer long-term.

5. Wash Jars and Cans Before Storing

Unopened food containers can pick up bacteria, dust, and even moth eggs during storage and shipping. Wash them with hot, soapy water before placing them in your pantry.

6. Try Natural Moth Repellents

Scatter a few bay leaves inside cabinets and pantry shelves—some homeowners swear by their ability to deter moths. Wipe down pantry shelves with vinegar and peppermint oil, which can help repel pests.

By following these simple storage and cleaning habits, you can greatly reduce the risk of another pantry moth infestation and keep your kitchen pest-free.

Final Thoughts

Pantry moth infestations can be frustrating, but with the right approach, you can eliminate them and keep them from coming back. The key is acting quickly—identify the source, clean thoroughly, and take preventive measures to protect your food. While it may take some time to completely resolve an infestation, following these steps will ensure your kitchen stays pest-free in the long run.

By keeping your pantry organized, using airtight storage containers, and checking new food items for signs of infestation, you can greatly reduce the risk of future problems. A little diligence now can save you from dealing with another outbreak later. If you’ve followed all the steps and are still seeing moths after a few months, consider consulting a pest control professional for additional help.