How to get rid of pantry moths: Best traps for a pest-free kitchen

Small moths flying around flour, cereal or other dry foods? It may be a symptom of a pantry moth infestation. Among pantry moths, the Indian meal moth can infest dry goods and render them unsafe to eat. These insects lay their eggs on food, and their larvae eat the food, leaving behind webbing and droppings. When they infest, pantry moths can destroy a significant amount of food to the point that it becomes inedible. They can migrate to other areas of the kitchen as well, making them even more difficult to eliminate.

The good news is that people can control pantry moths. There are pantry moth traps and techniques that people can use to get rid of them and keep them from coming back. This guide will explain how to use traps to get rid of the moths and provide pantry pest prevention tips to keep the kitchen free of pests. 

What Are Pantry Moths?

Pantry moths are small insects that infest dry food items stored in pantries. The most common species of pantry moths include the Indian meal moth, Mediterranean flour moth, and almond moth. These pests are attracted to stored food, particularly grains, flour, cereal, dried fruits, and nuts.

Life Cycle of Pantry Moths

The pantry moth life cycle consists of the following four stages:

1. Egg: Moths deposit eggs on food or packaging.
2. Larvae: When those eggs hatch, the larvae which are the moth caterpillars will eat the food, damaging it.
3. Pupa: The larvae form cocoons and change into pupae.
4. Adult: The adult moth hatches from the pupa and restarts the process by laying additional eggs.

Signs of Infestation

If pantry moths have attacked the kitchen, here are some signs to watch for:

• Adult moths fluttering around: Adult brown moths typically fly in the vicinity of the pantry or kitchen.
• Webbing in or on food: The larvae create webbing which can be seen clinging to foodstuffs or in food as clumps.
• Larvae or cocoons in the food packages: Check the food packages, especially grains, flour and dried goods for small cocoons or larvae (wormlike creatures).

How They Spread

Pantry moths spread through:

• They’re most often introduced to the kitchen through contaminated food. Some types of moths can be present in packaged foods and people may not always see the infestation when purchasing the food.
• Pantry moths can penetrate food contained in improperly sealed or opened packages.
• When the moths finally lay their eggs, the larvae can fly and migrate to nearby food and places within the kitchen.

Moth Trap Types

There are different types of traps available and each has its own method of trapping pantry moths.

1. Pheromone Traps

Pheromone traps for pantry moths are among the most powerful tools in the fight against pantry moths, particularly the Indian meal moth. They use synthetic pheromones (the chemicals that attract moths) to attract male moths to the trap where they are captured. The sex lured male moths are trapped by a sticky surface and will not be released.

How They Work

• The pheromones smell like female moths, luring the males.
• One reason is that males approach the trap thinking they are approaching a potential mate, but they end up getting stuck on the sticky surface inside.
• These traps disrupt the mating cycle by capturing the males and slowly decreasing the population of the moths.

Best For

• Killing the moth population by breaking the breeding cycle.
• Long-term protection from stable to severe infestations.

2. Sticky Glue Traps

Sticky glue traps are old-school but very effective in capturing pantry moths on the spot. These traps use a strong adhesive to catch moths as they fly or crawl over the trap.

How They Work

• The trap generally has the form of a rectangle or a circle with a sticky surface.
• Moths land on or crawl across the trap and become entrapped in the adhesive.
• These traps are successful at catching male and female moths, but they don’t solve the root of an infestation such as larvae or eggs buried in food.

Best For

• Fast moth kill, especially when people have one or more moths flying around.
• Check for moths before escalating to stronger measures.

3. DIY Traps

DIY traps are homemade solutions that can be made using common household items. Although these traps may not be as efficient as professional ones, they provide a cheap and convenient way to address small to medium sized infestations.

How They Work

• DIY Pheromone Trap: People can make their own with a piece of cardboard or paper, by applying a layer of petroleum jelly or other sticky-tacky material, and stash it near areas where moths show up.
• Vinegar and Dish Soap Trap: Add a little bit of dish soap to vinegar in a small bowl to create a simple trap that will attract and kill the flies that are waiting for the opportunity to lay their eggs. The vinegar draws the moths, and the dish soap breaks the surface tension of the liquid, which forces the moths to sink as they try to land. 

Best For

• Minor infestations or as a stop gap.
• Households are looking for an inexpensive solution before investing in commercial traps.

Effectiveness

• Although not as effective as store-bought traps, they can still offer some relief from smaller infestations.
• Homemade traps generally need daily checking and replacement.

Best Pantry Moth Traps

When it comes to getting rid of pantry moths, there are several traps available that provide homeowners with effective ways to defend their kitchens and pantries. The best pantry moth traps in 2025 are available at the Growcycle marketplace:

1. Rescue 2pk Pantry Moth Trap

The Rescue 2pk Pantry Moth Trap uses a pheromone attractant to attract and capture pantry moths that feed on flour, grains, and pasta. The traps work by releasing an artificial scent to attract the male moths and interrupting their mating cycle.

The traps are simple to install and are clean. Each one lasts up to 3 months and they are very effective for long term moth control in kitchens, pantries, or even garages or sheds.

2. Raid 2pk Pantry Moth Trap

The Raid 2pk Pantry Moth Trap is pheromone based and another format for odorless and non-toxic pantry moth control. These traps lure Indian meal moths, almond moths, and other types of insects to enter the trap and get stuck on the sticky surface.

The traps are effective for up to 6 months (depending on space conditions), making them a great long term moth prevention solution for food storage areas.

3. Enoz BioCare Flour & Pantry Moth Trap

For those who want a more eco-friendly option, the Enoz BioCare Flour & Pantry Moth Trap is a great pick. This pheromone trap does not use any pesticides and provides a clean solution for the moth infestation.

It draws many species of moths, such as Indian meal moths, Mediterranean flour moths, almond moths and raisin moths. Two traps come in each package and last up to 3 months.

4. Bonide Pantry Pest Traps

If people have pantry moths, the Bonide Pantry Pest Traps are a solid option. These are pheromone based traps that attract and trap moths such as the Indian meal moth, almond moth and raisin moth.

They are non-toxic pantry moth control and can be safely used in food storage. The traps are sold in pairs and last for up to three months.

5. Safer Home 2pk Pantry Pest Trap

The Safer Home 2pk Pantry Pest Trapper provides an easy, non-toxic way to prevent pantry pests in homes with children and pets. These traps use pheromones to attract a variety of pantry pests, including Indian meal moths, seed moths,

raisin moths, and almond moths. The traps are odorless, easy to set up, and last up to 3 months.

How to Get Rid of Food Moths

If you want to get rid of pantry moths and prevent them in the future, follow this guide step by step.

1. Remove Infested Items

The first thing to do when it comes to getting rid of pantry moths is to discard food that has been infested. This could be grains, cereals, pulses, seeds, nuts, dried fruit, flour, etc and any other dry foods that appear to be inhabited by moths.

Even sealed packages of food can succumb to pantry moths. Carefully inspect every food item in the pantry to see if there is any sign of damage or contamination.

2. Clean Thoroughly

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any moth eggs, larvae, and food debris from pantry shelves, corners, and cracks. Make sure to reach all hidden areas where moths could be nesting.

After vacuuming, go over all surfaces with a solution of 1 part vinegar and 3 parts water. This will help to kill any eggs or larvae that remained concealed in the pantry. Fill any containers, jars or bottles that have held the infected food with hot, soapy water and wash them clean. That way eliminates any remaining pests.

3. Freeze or Heat Suspected Items

To kill any eggs or larvae that may still be present in food items people want to keep, place them in the freezer for 72 hours. Freezing at this temperature will destroy the pests.

If there are certain things people don’t want to freeze, they can also heat items up in an oven or on the stovetop to 120°F (49°C) for half an hour, which would kill any moth eggs and larvae. This trick works particularly well for sealed packages.

4. Use Traps

When the pantry is clean and clear of infested foods, place pheromone or sticky traps to capture any adult moths that happen to stick around. These traps will limit the population of moths and stop them from reproducing. Position the traps close to infested sites, like where food used to be stored. 

5. Monitor and Repeat

Track the traps to determine if they’re catching moths. If moths are still there, it means that the infestation is not fully gone. Replace traps as needed. If still seeing moths, clean again, taking out any infested items and putting out new traps. Regular checks and cleaning are the solution for the total eradication of this infestation.

Preventing Future Infestations

After getting rid of pantry moths, it’s important to take preventative measures to avoid another infestation in the future. Following a few proven tactics can keep pests at bay in the pantry:

Proper Food Storage

Store dry, grain-based food materials (flour, cereal, nuts, dried fruits, etc.) in air-tight containers to prevent pantry moths from infesting them. Those containers will help prevent the food from becoming contaminated and will keep moths from laying eggs on it. Preferred options include glass jars, plastic with a sealable lid or vacuum-sealed bags.

Pantry moths can chew right through thin plastic and cardboard packaging, so all food that comes in such packaging should be transferred into airtight containers.

Regular Inspections

It is essential to routinely check pantry items for evidence of infestation. The early detection means that they can be caught before an infestation blooms. Sealed food packaging can also become infested so make sure to examine seals and corners of the packaging in order to prevent reinfestation.

Natural Deterrents

Some pantry moths are repelled by certain smells and natural repellents can also help to prevent them. Bay leaves, dried lavender or cedar blocks lining the pantry can help to dissuade moths from settling down. These are safe choices that will not harm the food or the people who eat it. 

Maintain Cleanliness

Just like any other place, maintaining cleanliness is the key to preventing moths in the pantry by getting rid of bread crumbs, spilled food or anything that can catch their attention and then storing food in a dry container. A dry and tidy pantry is less appealing to these pests.

Wiping shelves down with a damp cloth or mild soapy water will help remove dust and food particles that could serve as food sources for pests for months.

The Bottom Line

Pantry moths may appear to be small, but they can turn into a huge problem, especially if people don’t know how to deal with them. Using pantry moth pheromone traps and sticky traps can catch and decrease the moth population. Do-it-yourself traps can assist in small situations, but commercial traps are usually more effective for longer-term control. 

Growcycle offers a variety of high-quality pantry moth traps and products that can help control and prevent these pests. With their easy-to-use solutions, homeowners can protect their food and enjoy a clean, safe kitchen.

Disclaimer: This material is for informational purposes only and should not be relied on for legal, medical, financial, or any other form of professional advice.

About the Author

Victor Miller

Environmental Journalist Focused on Sustainable Agriculture

Victor Miller is an environmental journalist at Growcycle, specializing in sustainable agriculture. With a passion for storytelling, he highlights the latest trends, innovations, and practices that promote ecological balance and responsible farming.