grain moths!!!????

greenbuttskunk · 07-09-2003, 12:41 PM

Anyone out there having problems with those really annoying moths that live in your pantry. They seem to like grains and pasta. I opened a box of Uncle Ben's rice and apparently it was some kind of moth condo. About 10 of the little buggers flew right into my face and one up my nose!! They are all over the place. Any good remedies for them?? [img]graemlins/1zhelp.gif[/img] Bought a glue trap made for them, we'll see if
that helps. I did notice two big spiders in the top back of the pantry, go boys go! You have lots of work to do, my little 8-legged friends!!
GBS

lost_sailor · 07-09-2003, 01:30 PM

Been there. You can't keep any open boxes of stuff - ziplock 'em or keep stuff in jars (flour, rice, etc.)

Throw out all the stuff that they've already infested. Note that they are wormy larvaes before they are mothys.

outdoor.spec.ops · 07-09-2003, 01:34 PM

We had them when I was in Corvallis going to school, throw everything out thats open like cereal and crackers, then keep killing and killing them. They nest in unopened boxes too, ubder the flaps of the box between the box and the plastic. Nasty little buggers, when larva. Good luck.

Old Coot · 07-09-2003, 02:09 PM

GBS, where did you find the traps for them? Our house has been under assault for a couple of months. Even though we tossed about $40 worth of grain products out of the pantry, the buggers came back. They make pretty good rubber-band-gun targets, but the Cootessa is getting a little snarly about the bugs.

Thanks for the info.

greenbuttskunk · 07-09-2003, 02:40 PM

old coot, they have them at Freddies in the garden store, not the main store. They come in packs of two, look like a tent, way sticky on the inside, and have a small scent pack that they say attracts them. Yes, seen the larva. Cooked pasta few months back and after dumping the pasta in boiling water, 4-5 larva floated up. Well, did'nt tell the wife, what the hell, they were cooked and
I just did my best to scoop them out.

Fish_N_Russ · 07-09-2003, 10:21 PM

GBS,
The spiders more than likely wont help control your moths........now your flour/grain beetles, that a different story!

Actually in my work I have taken several calls about these pests. The best advice, as others have given, is to remove ALL items from the 'suspect area'. Throw out any suspect grains/flour/pasta. I can tell you from experience that 'sticky traps' for this type of pest is not usually very effective. Removing any host food and then coming in while the area is bare and applying a residual household pesticide in the CRACKS ONLY is the best bet. Your typical Pyrethroid insecticide would work fine, or even an indoor fogger (the powder type-non aresol are best). After applying the bug spray you want to make sure and AIR OUT the area very very well.......that way u have little residual fumes around food you put back in, but its still in the cracks where it needs to be.

Russ

[ 07-09-2003, 11:23 PM: Message edited by: Fish_N_Russ ]

greenbuttskunk · 07-10-2003, 07:00 AM

fnr,
I did just that. Went through boxs and bags and tossed stuff that was infected with the moths and their eggs. Grossed out my wife, what does'nt. Hated to wast food but I'm sure it will help greatly. They'll have to find some other poor sucker to bother.