Understanding pantry moths
Various species of these small brown pantry insects include the grain moth, Indian meal moth, Mediterranean flour moth, miller moth, and seed moth. Irrespective of what they are called or what species they are, these pesky flying insects are a huge nuisance and often cause enormous harm to stored food.
Once the tiny moth larvae gain access to your stored food they begin to multiply and unless you truncate the life cycle you would have a major problem in your pantry. You must learn how to get rid of moths before they take over your kitchen and waste your food. All that said; an effective and safe method of moth control is setting out pantry moth traps.
What are pantry moth traps?
They are formulated with pheromone lures that attract the male moths and trap them so that you can get rid of them. These pheromone traps help to stop the fertilization of the female moths thus breaking their life cycle and eradicating them from your space.
Things to consider before buying a pantry moth trap
- Size: The dimension of a moth trap is important because the stickier the surface area you have, the more moths can be trapped. The opening of the trap should also be wide enough for the moths to locate and fly in.
- Shape and coverage ability: The shape determine how much sticky surface the trap would have. Some moth traps are shaped in such a way that the entire surface is sticky enough to catch moths while others are not. Check out the ones that maximize all the surface areas as these would be more effective.
- Packaging: The packaging of the trap determines how well preserved the pheromone and sticky surface would be. Some products are packaged in cardboard boxes which unfortunately are not airtight. Because these pheromone moth traps are susceptible to weather conditions, it is imperative that they are protected from the elements. The best brands to buy are those that are packaged individually and in airtight cellophane. Those that try to save cost by packing two or more traps in one package force you to use them all at once or else risk having traps that have been degraded by the environment by the time you are ready to use them
- Appearance: This is an important factor to consider because you wouldn’t want something that would deface your home. There are many products that are tastefully designed in such a way that they blend with the décor of your home while working effectively to help you get rid of moths. Your moth catcher shouldn’t scream moth trap! You should be able to place it anywhere in your home/kitchen without it announcing your fight with pantry moths to everyone that steps into your space.
- Ease of assembly: There are many designs with different ways of setting up the trap. The simplest design to set up is the one that has only two pieces; the glue board and the pheromone. All you need to do is remove the protective cover on the glue board, drop the pheromone on it and fold. All the sides have the glue on it so you have a wider coverage area. Some other designs come with a tarp tent that’s already folded. You pop up the tent and then insert the glue board on which you had dropped the pheromone. The problem with this method is that the glue board may stick to the tent as you slide it in. Another issue with this design is that the top of the trap tent would not be sticky. Remember that the sticky surface is the main trap; if the method of setting up leaves a possibility of you touching the sticky surface, you need to reconsider the product. You should look out for a product that you can easily set up without smudging the sticky surface and render it less effective.
- Price and accessibility: Moth prevention should not be a budget crippling venture; moth traps are relatively cheap and easy to get. The internet is rife with resources that would help you get the best deal in getting rid of moths. However, always bear in mind that price is not a primary determinant in the effectiveness or quality of a product. Also, ensure that whatever brand you decide to work with is easily accessible. Some products are not always available and it may not really be wise to stock all the traps you’ll need for the whole period of treatment.
Usage tip
Before you set out these traps, you would need to clear out every infested food and ensure that every other food is stored in airtight, well-sealed containers.
Conclusion
All you have to do now is choose which you feel is most appropriate to effectively solve your moth problems.