Causes of moths in the apartment and ways to get rid of them

Many owners of even the cleanest apartments periodically have to think about where moths come from.
It seems that everything in the house is clean and there are no other insects, but these inconspicuous gray butterflies begin to catch your eye more and more often. In fact, the reason for the appearance of moths depends primarily not on the cleanliness of the home itself (as, for example, in the case of cockroaches), but on other factors. The most important thing is what kind of moth is in the house, what type it belongs to - there are clothes moths and food moths. These pests, similar to each other, but completely different in their biology, each enter the house in their own ways.

Important!

When wondering where moths come from in an apartment, it is useful to remember that they do not care about the sanitary condition of the room. The pest equally effectively infects unhygienic barracks and luxury housing. The main thing for her is the availability of food supply, and it is this food supply that is most abundant in expensive houses.

What is

A moth is an insect belonging to the order of butterflies. The size and appearance of an individual depends on its species. House moths usually include clothes moths, furniture moths, grain moths and food moths. All of their adult representatives are small in size (up to 15 mm) and unsightly in color, for example, gray-green, dirty brown. The insect lives not only indoors, but also in nature. For example, there are cabbage, apple, and rye moths.

The feeding method of individuals also varies greatly. All larvae and caterpillars, thanks to their powerful mouthparts, can eat tough and hard food: stems and leaves, nuts, cereals, cabbage, beets. All moth species have their own favorite food, and it is often reflected in the name of the species. In addition, in some varieties, the adult does not have a mouthpart and cannot feed, and therefore lives no more than a week.

These pests live near or directly in a food source, for example, in cereals, cabbage, or on an apple tree. At first, a small nest always appears, where all the larvae live compactly. Nests are also within reach of food.

Signs of appearance

If moths appear in the house, it is not difficult to identify them. When an insect reaches the size of an adult, its activity increases sharply. The pest begins to fly quite long distances. Moreover, narrow cracks and openings are not an obstacle to it. When mass reproduction occurs in a room, a characteristic musty smell appears.

Unpleasant smell

Moths can breed in the house all year round.

Causes of infestation of premises with food moths

It is unlikely that you will be able to completely insure yourself against the appearance of food moths in your apartment, because to infect the kitchen, one larva that has flown into an individual or one larva in packaged cereal is enough. It is much more important to create conditions at home that will not allow moths to comfortably multiply and spoil food.

First, let's see what conditions are most favorable for food moths:

• Feed. Without food, the moth simply cannot reproduce, so it always needs a source of food: boxes of cereal, bags of flour and nuts, or at least dried herbs.

• Convenient place to live. The moth prefers lockable kitchen cabinets and pantries, where it can live and feed at the same time. It is almost impossible to detect food moths on open kitchen shelves - they avoid light.
• Lack of ventilation and twilight. The moth does not tolerate fresh air and direct sunlight, preferring enclosed spaces where food is stored.
• No pungent odors. There are aromas that moths find very unpleasant and cause them to move away from their source. These include the smell of citrus fruits, lavender, eucalyptus, tobacco, vinegar.

How do food moths appear?

Where do kitchen moths come from in an apartment? If a moth is spotted in the kitchen, it most likely got there while hunting for food:

• Cereals and flour
• Dried fruits
• Nuts
• Spices
• Animal feed

Food moth: how to get rid of a pest in the kitchen using folk remedies, read more in the article here.

Food moths, attracted by the smell of such food, can enter the home from neighbors or from the entrance. But in most cases, its eggs are already available in food products, especially when they are sold in bulk. Important reasons for food contamination in warehouses are dampness, poor ventilation, and poor packaging seals.

Attention: Food moths, or more precisely, their caterpillars, are very tenacious. They live in a cocoon, even in unfavorable conditions, for a very long time, until they find themselves in a more suitable environment. In warm, damp conditions they hatch and eat everything they can.

How to fight

You can get rid of moths at home only by finding their lair and destroying all the eggs and larvae. In addition, the butterflies will need to be destroyed so that they cannot lay new eggs. For these purposes, it is necessary to use all possible methods of control, namely: chemical, physical and folk methods. Of course, chemicals are always more effective, so you need to start with them.

Chemicals

Modern insecticides will help remove these pests. They are available in the form of aerosols, fumigators and sections. The first act quickly, the second - slowly, but protect better, the third - only protect.

Aerosols.

The use of aerosols in the fight against moths is very labor-intensive. To completely destroy these pests, you need to spray not only infected items, but also all surfaces in closets, carpets, and upholstery. One can will not be enough for this. After treatment, 3-4 hours later, you will need to thoroughly wash the room, ventilate it and wash the disinfected items.

The use of aerosols against kitchen moths is completely limited. They can be used to poison flying species, including butterflies. But the use of aerosols against larvae in cereals and food storage areas is prohibited, since the products will be poisoned and unsuitable for consumption in this case.

The best aerosols are:

• "Armol".
  Ideal for fur and wool products. Smells like lavender. It costs about 70 rubles.
• "Raptor".
  Effectively destroys insects at all stages of its development. Smells like lavender. The residual effect lasts up to a year. A bottle will cost 90 rubles.
• Mosquitall "Protection against moths".
  A very powerful product with a lavender scent. Suitable for processing fabrics, furniture and clothing. 200 ml of the drug costs about 100 rubles.
• "Clean house".
  Like other aerosols, it is highly effective and has a lavender scent. In addition, “Clean House” is used very economically.

Fumigators.

To combat moths, they are used much less frequently than aerosols. However, using them is very simple: you need to place a plate or flask with liquid in the device and plug the device into a power outlet. When heated, it begins to emit an odor that is detrimental to the insect. This aroma does not bother a person at all and is even imperceptible to him.

For baiting moths, the same fumigators are suitable as for mosquitoes:

• "DiK-3".
  This device costs about 30 rubles and effectively copes with pests. Suitable for fighting kitchen and clothes moths, however, you should not place it near food.
• "Raid".
  An analogue of the DiK-3 device, but its cost is many times higher - 120 rubles for the device and 10 plates for it.
• "Mosquitall".
  Like other fumigators, this device is equally effective against moths and mosquitoes. Its action is enough for a room of 30 square meters. m.

Mothproof sections.

This type of chemicals against these pests is also in demand. Their action is aimed at scaring away butterflies, however, the larvae that have settled nearby remain safe and sound. Therefore, the use of this remedy is more of a preventative measure than a control method.

• "Raptor".
  Sections of this brand are very common among buyers. Their aroma is different. For proper protection, you need to hang 2 sections per cabinet. Their effectiveness period is estimated at 4 months.
• "Mosquitall".
  These sections come in two types: plates or bags hung on a hanger, or blocks glued to the surface of the cabinet. Their cost varies from 50 to 120 rubles.

Physical means

You can destroy moths without using chemicals, namely:

• To begin with, you should always find the insect nest and remove it, for example, vacuum the shelves.
• For butterflies, fly-catching tape should be used.
• If there are moths in the cereal, you can bake it in the oven for 30 minutes at 60 degrees.

Folk recipes

Moths, like other insect pests, cannot tolerate the odors of certain plants. These include lavender, citrus fruits, tobacco, and geranium. Using these herbs, you can scare it away for a long time. Among the means available to a person at home that can destroy moths is naphthalene. However, recently its use at home is not recommended.

A universal method of prevention

There is one universal folk recipe for getting rid of moths in an apartment. But it rather prevents the appearance of the pest than actually destroys it.

1. Dried lavender, tobacco, and citrus peels are placed in a small bag made of thin fabric, or preferably gauze.
2. It is then placed in a closet with clothes or food.
3. The contents of the bag should be changed once a month as the smell fades.

Calling specialists

Unlike ordinary people, only professionals know how to get rid of moths quickly and effectively. In addition, they always provide a long-term guarantee on their services. It is recommended to contact the parasite control service for those who do not have the time and desire to fight on their own, or the infestation is too strong. Specialists will competently select the product and carry out thorough processing.

Preventing moths

Unfortunately, it will not be possible to get rid of moths forever. If you have successfully overcome an insect, this does not mean that it will not come to your home again.

Don't rush to get upset! You should be vigilant, so just carry out preventive maintenance regularly. The procedure does not take much time. It's easier to prevent a problem than to deal with it later, isn't it? Here are a few ways to help prevent moths from appearing in your apartment:

• do not hesitate to inspect items in stores, even if you purchase a mink coat in an expensive boutique. The goods are stored in warehouses where moths actively breed. Remember that the best conditions for it are twilight and dampness. Check all folds, pockets, linings, and carefully inspect packages of cereals, herbs and other products. Make a choice in favor of purchasing goods in factory sealed packaging rather than in bulk;
• When purchasing used furniture and wardrobe items, disinfect them before bringing them into the apartment. Moths prefer old things and unwashed clothes that have pieces of human epidermis on them;
• Ventilate the apartment more often, shake out blankets and pillows;
• Place sprigs of lavender, wormwood, citrus peels or garlic in closets with clothes and food. Moths also do not like the smells of tobacco and eucalyptus. You can use essential oils by dropping a small amount onto a cotton pad or gauze;
• periodically dry small wool items on the radiator, and take outer clothing to the balcony;
• Store food in the kitchen in containers rather than in factory packaging. Throw away spoiled cereals immediately;
• Regularly wipe kitchen units and cabinets with vinegar solution;
• Before putting warm clothes away in the closet for the summer season, treat them with moth spray. Place crumpled newspapers in the pockets of your outerwear - the pest does not like the smell of the printing house;
• Another excellent remedy for moths in the closet is a ready-made pendant with a pleasant aroma that will repel insects. For example, Raptor or Raid brands. You can buy it at hardware stores.

Now you know where moths come from in an apartment and what means will help remove them. If you follow all the recommendations, you will not encounter moths! And if, nevertheless, uninvited guests settled in your apartment, then thanks to this article you will quickly get rid of them.

Share, did you learn anything new from our article? What recommendations were helpful to you?

How clothes moths get into an apartment

So, where do moths come from in the closet if all things are new, clean and neatly folded? To find out, you should remember whether you purchased the following products recently:

• natural wool carpets
• furniture with natural upholstery
• outerwear made of fur or wool
• wearable woolen or knitted items
• shoes with natural fur.

It is also useful to read: Why does a moth lack a proboscis - isn’t it a butterfly?

If moths appeared at home after one of these purchases, then we can say with confidence that the larvae were already in it at the time of purchase. After settling in, the moth began to multiply and spoil other things that came in its path. Unfortunately, the pest can even be in expensive items from trusted stores that protect their reputation.

Store-bought or used furniture can also serve as an excellent “vehicle” for transporting moth larvae to a new place of residence. This is especially true for old furniture, in which it is very easy to get to the “tasty” filler.

Clothes moths can choose a more exotic way of entering the house - on the fur of pets. In principle, moths do not parasitize living creatures, but they can very well use their fur as a temporary shelter. Cases when moths appear in this way are quite rare, and only adult moths can settle in this way and on dogs with long, shaggy hair - bobtails, giant schnauzers, wire-haired dachshunds, South Russian shepherd dogs.

Listed above are the main ways in which clothes and food moths appear in a person’s home. But whatever the method of its penetration, it is important to prevent the parasite from multiplying throughout the apartment.

General information

Moths in the house are not dangerous in themselves. But they are an indicator of a problem. Depending on the species, there are clothes moths and food moths. These names suggest where the moth nest can be found. Diet preferences also depend on this. Clothes prefers to feed on natural furs and fabrics, and can migrate to furniture upholstery or carpets in a hungry year. Accordingly, the food industry prefers groceries, tea or dried fruits. Moreover, one type of moth does not change its taste preferences and does not switch to another type of food.

How dangerous are moths and their larvae?

An adult moth is not dangerous because it does not bite and does not carry pathogens or infections. The main harm from it is the laying of a large number of eggs, from which real pests - larvae - will appear.

The greatest danger to humans is larvae of food moths. It spoils food and contaminates it with waste products. Cereals or dried fruits in which moths have infested should not be used for food. Otherwise, consequences may arise in the form of:

• allergies;
• digestive disorders;
• poisoning

Clothes moths damage clothing, furniture upholstery, and carpets. For people prone to allergies, wearing moth-infested clothing can cause skin irritation. In addition, the presence of moths causes psychological discomfort.

Prevention

It is more difficult to remove moths from an apartment than to prevent its appearance. Today, ready-made sections against these pests are produced for the laziest. They do not use chemicals, but only natural oils, the smell of which is unpleasant to insects. To avoid encountering food moths, you should carefully examine the purchased cereals for contamination. For the first time after purchase, it is better to leave them in the original packaging to make sure there are no pests.

Source

How to find a mole?

Pest larvae can be found in secluded dark places, as they do not tolerate sunlight. Usually these are wardrobes or kitchen cabinets, bedside tables. In order to find moths, you need to inspect items with a natural fabric composition, fur items, rolled up carpets, folded blankets, and also look in containers and bags with grocery products for larvae.

A favorable environment for active reproduction of moths is high humidity. Therefore, the likelihood of pest occurrence increases when storing things and products in the basement.

Moth - types of butterflies

There are several types of moths that literally distribute “spheres of influence” in a person’s apartment. All of them are divided into two groups - food moths and clothes moths. As the name suggests, some butterflies parasitize on food, while others parasitize on the host’s things and clothes. The following types of moths are distinguished:

1. Fur coat. The yellowish butterfly itself, up to 1.6 cm in size, does not harm humans, since it does not eat anything. Its main goal is to lay several clutches of eggs, from which voracious larvae emerge. Outwardly, they resemble worms and have a white translucent color. Worms eat the fur of fur coats, hats, collars, and gnaw holes in them. In a matter of days, the fur turns into a sieve.

1. Clothes. The size of the butterfly is up to 2 cm, its wings are yellow and purple at the base. The caterpillars look the same as those of the fur moth, but they settle in the folds of various fabrics and clothes with wool. The butterfly lays its eggs directly on the inside of the fabric, and after the caterpillars hatch, they immediately begin to feed.

1. Furniture. In the house, she begins to lay eggs on the upholstery of furniture, as well as in the cracks of wood. The caterpillars eat the upholstery and then move onto the wood. The butterfly is small, up to a centimeter with a wingspan, light yellow in color with brown wing bases.

1. Carpet. The larvae of this butterfly eat carpets, fur, and even leather products - bags, boots. This moth almost does not react to standard means - camphor and naphthalene - so it can sometimes be difficult to remove it.

Attention: An untrained person cannot distinguish a food moth from a clothes moth, but there is a big difference between them. This type of butterfly lays eggs directly into food products - nuts, cereals, flour, and the larvae intensively eat them.

Mole photo

The size of an adult varies from 5 to 8 millimeters, and the wingspan from 9 to 16 millimeters. The color is beige-golden, there are hairs on the head. The entire body is covered with golden bristles that shine when the insect is examined in the light. The wings have a peculiar fringe in the form of long hairs; there are no ornaments or designs on them.

Moth eggs are white in color and look like small grains of rice. It is noteworthy that one end of the egg has a more rounded shape than the other.

Then the eggs hatch into white, small, approximately 1 millimeter in size caterpillars, which already have mouthparts. Feeding on knitted items, wool, silk or plant matter, the caterpillar grows up to 12 millimeters in length. The life cycle of a moth lasts up to 2.5 years.

After the caterpillar has reached a developed state, it stops feeding and weaves a silk cocoon, in which it will transform into a pupa, from which an adult will then emerge.

You can take a closer look at the moth photo.

Fighting methods

It’s not enough to know where moths come from in the house. You need to know how to deal with the harmful moth that destroys groceries and things. There are several control methods, the most effective of which is chemical. It involves the use of insecticides. True, this method is applicable only if we are not talking about food moths. It is forbidden to treat groceries with toxic preparations.

As for the choice of insecticide, a wide range of drugs is available on store shelves today. The first thing you need to pay attention to is the toxicity class. In residential premises, it is advisable to use low-toxic drugs, which, as a rule, are not cheap. But, as for pricing policy, any good pesticide will not be cheap. Cheap insecticides, as practice shows, are ineffective. It is also worth paying attention to the presence of odor. Preference should be given to odorless insecticides, which are difficult to remove from the house after treatment.

The next group of methods are biological. These methods involve exposing the moth to high or low temperatures. The butterfly dies at temperatures exceeding 600 C or below -200 C. Therefore, things can be washed at the desired temperature, or better yet, boiled, or taken out into the cold. As for groceries, they can be processed at high temperature in the oven.

A few words about the pest

Moths belong to the order of Lepidoptera (butterflies), which are characterized by a nocturnal lifestyle. These are very unassuming looking moths, usually not exceeding 1 cm in length. Traditionally they have a pale color with slight inclusions on the wings, most often of brownish or gray shades.

There are a number of varieties of this family of insects, but in this review we will consider only two species that most often a person has to deal with at home.

The most frequent guests in our monastery can rightfully be considered food moths and clothes moths. These butterflies can be distinguished by some differences in color. Clothes or wool moths have a more golden tone in their outer fade, while food or grain moths are gray and have browner wings.

As we can guess, the question of where moths come from cannot be given a definite unbranched answer, since for each of the two varieties mentioned, the reasons for their occurrence are very different, given their diametrically opposed food preferences.

There is only one thing in common: the appearance of these pests in the rooms of our monastery or in the kitchen. Moths usually appear in an apartment in cases where the prerequisites for its occurrence have been created in the form of the presence of a suitable, and most importantly, accessible food supply.

Here we note the fact that it is the larvae of these pests, and not butterflies, that directly threaten food and clothing items. Adult insects do not feed on food or natural fibers; they do not have gnawing mouthparts for this.

Their task is to lay eggs after mating in a place suitable for the development of larvae.

Larvae represent the so-called nutritional stage of insect development, which means absolute gluttony and focus on food consumption and a set of nutrients necessary for pupation.

We must remember that if a moth butterfly flies around the room or in the kitchen, and you killed it, this is not at all a guarantee that the problem went away along with the swatted adult. Eggs may already have been laid, and checking for their presence in the house would be a good idea.

Now let’s look in more detail at why one or another type of these inconspicuous, but extremely harmful insects may appear in our house.

Brief description of the family

Moths are insects closely related to butterflies, although they are not actually butterflies, except as a general definition, to which the term "moth" also applies. Meanwhile, both moths and butterflies belong to the same order of Lepidoptera, and this is where their similarities end. There are more differences between butterflies and moths than just dry entomological taxonomy. To date, researchers have identified about 200 thousand species of butterflies around the world, and we can say for sure that there are at least five times more known representatives among moths.

All species are characterized by a general structure of the body and vital processes. The antennae of moths, as a rule, are shorter than those of butterflies, and along their length you can find shaggy “branching”, strongly reminiscent of frost on wires. When the insect sits, it folds its wings evenly, giving its body a narrow, flat shape. An exception may be several species that keep their wings unfolded at rest. The size of moths of different species can vary greatly - from a few millimeters to several centimeters.

These insects typically have thick, hairy bodies ranging in color from golden yellow to dark brown. Some species are characterized by a radical black color. The vast majority are active at night and rest during daylight hours in a preferably shady habitat.

Professional ways to fight moths

Getting rid of annoying insects is more difficult than you might imagine. Here are several ways to remove moths from an apartment:

• A win-win option is to call a disinfection service. Within an hour, specialists will process the entire room. The preparations used are odorless and safe for adults and children, animals and plants. Within 2 hours after treatment you can return to your apartment. A specialist will tell you all the nuances of the procedure. The cost of this service depends on your city;
• In household chemical stores you can find many aerosols and sprays that are good for dealing with both larvae and adults. When purchasing, carefully read the information on the can, because not all aerosols are intended for spraying in the kitchen. It is necessary to process the room only while wearing a mask. You will need to leave the apartment for several hours after treatment, and then do general cleaning and laundry. List of some popular aerosols: Dichlorvos, Raptor, Antimol and Armol;

• fumigator - a small device with a plate or liquid that operates from an outlet. When heated, toxic fumes spread throughout the apartment and destroy flying insects. Manufacturers note that the fumigator is safe for people and animals. The disadvantage of its use is that it affects a small area in the apartment;
• Another effective and most harmless remedy against moths is traps. This is a small box that emits the subtle scent of female pheromones. The male will simply stick to the box, so they will no longer be able to produce offspring. The main thing is not to overdo it with the placement of traps, since due to their large number the male may lose orientation in space.

Professional means for prevention, destruction

Anti-moth preparations
There are special products for sale to repel butterflies - sections, sticky traps, stickers, tablets in a plastic case. Their action lasts from 1 month to 6. The products smell pleasantly of lavender, mint, lime, and can be used in any room. Popular products are Raptor, Clean House, Moskitol, Raid, Antimol.

If there are moths in the house, they carry out a general cleaning of the cabinets, throw away spoiled food, or treat it thermally. For the final destruction of butterflies, larvae, eggs, disinsection is carried out using insecticidal aerosols and sprays. The maximum effect is 2 hours, it remains to kill pests for another 14 days. You can fight with any aerosol with a wide spectrum of action.

They open the cabinets, spray them with an aerosol, and spray the entire apartment. Leave the room closed for 2 hours, then ventilate thoroughly. Carry out wet cleaning with the addition of baking soda and laundry soap in places where hands will touch or food will lie. The cereal is poured into an airtight container - glass jars with lids, and put in place. With the right approach, you can get rid of the pest in 1 procedure.

A sign if there are moths in the house

In ancient times, the golden fluttering pest did not evoke good feelings among the population and its appearance was associated mainly with negative consequences. This was more than reasonable, since it started up mainly in spoiled food and dark, poorly ventilated rooms.

She was considered a harbinger:

1. Unexpected cash costs. This followed from the fact that with the appearance of moths it was necessary to get rid of one of the few items of clothing or part of the winter supplies.

2. A pale “butterfly” fluttering around the house was also a symbol of the inattention and aggression of one of the family members towards the others. With her appearance, they tried to bring a brawler or a heartless person to reason while there was still a chance to avoid a split in the relationship.
3. A sudden and numerous invasion of moths was associated with the influence of dark forces or astral entities from the other world. It was believed that they were directed by enemies or envious people.
4. The white moth was also a sad symbol. People believed that in the form of a moth the soul of the deceased returned home to visit his relatives. It was strictly forbidden to kill her, so as not to cause additional suffering to the soul of a loved one.

5. If a moth appears suddenly and you cannot get rid of it, it means that the dark aspects of the consciousness of someone in the household have been activated. Small aspects of behavior could completely cross out all bright desires and aspirations.
6. The appearance of a tiny fluttering pest could be evidence of magical damage being done, damage to the subconscious, which will only make itself felt if something extraordinary happens.
7. If you come face to face with a moth, it means a letter will arrive soon.

general characteristics

The insect looks like a small butterfly; there is no bright color or external distinctive features. The color of the pest depends on its habitat in order to better camouflage itself. Adults differ from butterflies in the absence of a proboscis. The moth does not feed on anything. It replenishes its energy reserves from accumulated substances while being a caterpillar. Its main task is reproduction. Moths do not harm humans.

They also leave excrement where they live. Adult pests are afraid of sunlight. Therefore, their place of residence is hidden and dark places.

We suggest you read: How to make a tincture from wax moth

What do moths eat?

If moths appeared in food, where did they get there? Food moths spoil groceries: cereals, flour, pasta and bakery products. She does not disdain seeds, nuts, dried fruits and berries, and also loves cookies, chocolate, and candies.

Clothes moths eat any products containing natural fiber. She can appear in closets with clothes; she loves woolen things and balls of wool. Often the pest spoils clothes that are put away for storage without pre-washing. There are a lot of epidermal particles on such things, and this attracts caterpillars. The discovered gray moth itself does not pose a danger; it is its offspring that cause harm.

In an effort to get to their cherished goal, moths are capable of chewing through polyethylene, so it is useless to put winter clothes in bags.

Possible reasons for the appearance

Clothes moths and food moths are similar, but they can get into your home in different ways.

How clothes moths get into an apartment

This type of pest can enter an apartment in several ways:

• through an open window - they flock to the light in the evening;
• from neighbors through ventilation systems;
• Perhaps you recently purchased a new item: shoes with wool lining, a fur coat, knitted sweaters, carpeting, furniture and much more. If some time after purchase you notice small moths flying around the apartment, this means that the item has already been infected. Unfortunately, the possibility of eggs getting on products cannot be completely ruled out, even if the store offers only expensive goods;
• Adults can migrate into an apartment on the fur of domestic animals, although this is extremely rare. They are not harmful to your pets. Wool is used temporarily and only as transportation to a place where all conditions have been created for the existence and nutrition of future larvae.

How food moths get into an apartment

If you find food moths in your kitchen, then most likely it came to you after a trip to the store. Think about it, maybe you bought nuts, cereals and other bulk products by weight or in unsealed packages? Since supermarket warehouses are always dim and high humidity, food moths happily begin to multiply there.

An effective moth repellent

The leaders in the fight against moths are various fumigators. Due to the delayed action, this may not seem to be the case, but their pros far outweigh the cons. They are suitable as a preventative measure because they do not require constant monitoring or any effort on the part of a person. It is enough to turn them on in a room where a potential carrier of moth larvae will soon appear, and you can forget about them.

The fumigator can be used for a very long time - from several weeks to several months. When it runs out, you just need to change the wick and reuse it. Neither folk remedies nor Velcro sprays are designed for reuse.

Due to the extended exposure to moths, fumigators release significantly less insecticides into the air than sprays. This allows you to be in the same room with a working fumigator and practically does not lead to an allergic reaction. Fumigators are safe for children and animals, but direct contact with them is best avoided. The most popular fumigators are from Moskitol. A pleasant bonus of using them will be the absence of mosquitoes.

If after all the tricks the moths do not decrease, you should call a team of exterminators. This is the last and extremely radical remedy. Knowing everything about moths, from the ways in which they appear in the house to the variety of methods for getting rid of them, you can clean your apartment in the shortest possible time.

How to get rid of food moths in an apartment

With the food subspecies of the pest, things are a little different. They are in the kitchen, and there is the use of potent products with a persistent aroma. Sprays or aerosols are also prohibited.

To remove food moths from the kitchen , you need to:

• conduct a thorough audit;

  Moth larvae in the grocery store.

• remove heavily damaged and contaminated cereals;
• carry out temperature treatment of food residues;
• thoroughly wash the shelves with soap or vinegar solution;
• use traps.

A good way is folk remedies. For example, if you place citrus peels on shelves, moths will avoid them.

This article will tell you in more detail about how and what method effectively works against moths in a house and apartment.

Life cycle

How long moths live, and at what stages of development they pose a danger to your products and things, we’ll talk further. Flying completely nondescript gray butterflies are already safe. These are adults, their lifespan is 2-4 weeks. During this period, the moth multiplies, producing 1-2 clutches of eggs. Females lay eggs in the same place where they feed. There are from 60 to 230 eggs in one clutch. After 12-15 days at a comfortable temperature of 20-25 C°, caterpillars hatch from them. They build cocoons from the nutritious material in which they live and feed here. It is during this period that future butterflies cause harm. It takes up to 45 days for a caterpillar to transform into a butterfly.

It is strictly forbidden to eat foods in which food moths are found. Caterpillars infect the environment with the waste of their own vital activity; there may be dead larvae and skins and cocoons shed by insects.

Natural "camouflage"

Nature gave such an inconspicuous color to moths for a reason. First of all, because the earthy shade is an excellent protection and allows you to avoid an unpleasant encounter with a hungry predator. An interesting fact is that representatives of different species of moths living in a particular environment acquire colors in accordance with its conditions. For example, the development of moths of forest species is more characterized by a greenish tint, while others are more characterized by the color of the bark of trees, which are more abundant in this area.

But science has become aware of an even more unique phenomenon, a property that only very few representatives of the insect world can boast of. It has been observed that in urban areas where there is heavy soot pollution, some species of moths actually become darker in color than insects of the same species living in less polluted areas.

Another effective form of camouflage is the shape that the insect takes on when at rest. Species that live primarily in tree crowns, as a rule, do not fold their wings at all in order to be more like dry leaves, while “grass” ones actually extend their wings into a line so that they cannot be distinguished from a blade of grass. Not least important is the flight strategy of the moth.

Few of these species fly straight and slowly. Many of us have observed house moths flying around in such a way that it becomes difficult to catch them. Light excites the insect, forcing it to be even more active, so the closer the light source, for example, a light bulb, the faster the moth will fly and the more chaotic at first glance its direction vector will be, which most often becomes circular.

An effective form of defense that other flying insects could take a few lessons from the moth is mimicry. Mimicry is the ability of a living organism to simulate the appearance of a larger or more threatening creature. This form of defense is used both by caterpillars with tails that look like the large head of a poisonous snake, and by adult individuals, whose war-spotted coloring on the outer surface of their unfolded wings scares off even large birds. Mimicry is also characteristic of some species of butterflies.