Mothballs in the kitchen? Believe it or not, this is a common practice in some homes. However, there are better ways to keep your food sealed and protected from pests.
The use of mothballs in the kitchen is discouraged because they can be harmful to humans and animals alike. They are toxic, carcinogenic (cancer-causing), and must never contact with food that we eat or drink; they also have an unpleasant smell that will stick around even after opening your cabinet doors.
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This blog post will discuss mothballs and why you should avoid using them in your kitchen.
We’ll also provide some alternative methods that will help keep your food safe from pests.
What Are Mothballs And What They Are Used For
Mothballs keep moths and other fiber-eating bugs away from your clothes, usually placed in the wardrobe or closet.
Moth larvae are one of nature’s most destructive creatures because they eat through any fabric in their path, leaving you without some favorite pieces or even an entire wardrobe.
If you have a problem with moths in your kitchen, it’s best to get rid of the food that attracts them.
Mothballs should not place in the kitchen because of the risk of poisoning yourself and your family.
These chemical-based mothballs are little balls of toxic chemicals, pesticides, and deodorants.
They will kill the adult clothes moths, eggs, and larvae through the released vapors.
Mothballs are also an excellent way to prevent mold from growing in the house.
They work by absorbing moisture, which can cause many other problems such as rot and pest infestation.
The Risks Associated With Using Mothballs In The Kitchen Pantry
While mothballs effectively keep pests away, they can be very harmful to humans if misused.
For example, mothballs consist of naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, both carcinogens (cancer-causing agents).
The two chemicals may cause nausea, dizziness, and fatigue. These chemicals can also cause liver and kidney damage, which are toxic.
If you have small children or pets in your home, it will be a problem if they ingest the mothballs.
Be sure to use them sparingly and keep them out of reach of children and pets.
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Mothballs are also quite smelly, and they may linger for several weeks after being used.
If you plan to use them, make sure to ventilate your house well to get rid of the smells.
What Attracts Pantry Moths?
The main difference between pantry moths and clothes moths is that clothes moths eat fabric, while pantry moths eat food.
Both moths can be a nuisance, but pantry moths are particularly troublesome because they contaminate food.
Pantry moths enter homes through doors, windows, or openings around vents and then lay their eggs in kitchen cupboards or pantries.
They also often gain access to our homes through contaminated dry food items bought at the grocery store.
Pantry Moths are tiny, with a wingspan over five-eighths of an inch.
They have pale greyish-tinted wings. Some outer segmentation is more reddish-brown than others in their species (which can make them difficult to identify).
These insects can lay up to 400 eggs as the larvae hatch and mature.
The larvae of these eggs feed on cereals, grains, nuts, dried fruit, and even spices in the kitchen.
Although it isn’t a lovely sight, this insect eats solely on dry food items like grains and requires warm breeding conditions.
This process takes 2-3 months until they move into cocoons. The adult moths then emerge from these cocoons and mate, starting the cycle again.
Safe And Natural Alternatives To Mothballs For The Kitchen Pantry
Lavender, mint, cedar, and bay leaves are the safer alternatives to using mothballs; it’s critical to replace them regularly to continue function.
Fill sachets with dried lavender, mint leaves, or essential oil-dipped cotton balls to use them. Mint can also help keep mice away.
Cedarwood is a natural moth repellent. The smell of cedarwood can be pretty refreshing to those who enjoy the fresh air outdoors.
If you have access to some lovely old furniture covered in this material, then make use of every last bit possible because one never knows when you will need extra protection against pesky moths again.
Bay leaves are not just great spices, but they’re also an excellent preventative measure against pantry moths.
Scatter a handful onto your shelves or keep them in shallow open containers to discourage pests from dining on these tasty treats.
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Another great way to get rid of pantry moths is by using pheromone-based traps.
The male pantry moths get lured into a small enclosed area where they will get stuck and later die from contact with the glue inside, which disrupts their mating patterns so that new eggs you’ll have to eliminate won’t appear anytime soon.
How To Get Rid And Prevent Pantry Moths In Your Kitchen Pantry
Take a close look at your pantry for any signs of infestation.
Check food packaging, cans full, or shelves with condensation; anything that might seem out-of-the-ordinary can signal an arachnid problem.
It’s essential to keep a close eye out for any webs and larvae in foods.
Pantry moth larvae love to hide in flour & cereal while growing up; nuts & sweets are also popular choices when it comes time to enjoy some delicious.
And don’t forget about pets’ meals-those furry friends often eat anything that gets left out too long, so make sure everything’s sealed tight before giving them.
Vacuum all the shelves, keeping an eye on neglected corners and items under the surface.
Then wipe down walls, baseboards trimming doors (including the inside edge), hinges & knobs with hot soapy water or vinegar.
Once done, mop the floor, wiping off excess liquid after each use; remove vacuum bag immediately when finished cleaning because dust will attract insects who may want cozy spots too, and store it outside in trash bin after using.
To avoid a pantry infestation, transfer bulk items from plastic bags to sturdy glass or durable containers.
The larvae of this moth can chew through the plastic material and access food in your home.
Instead of keeping flour, oatmeal, and other dry items in the pantry or cupboards, please keep them in the freezer or refrigerator.
The freezing temperature helps kills any present larvae, so it does not introduce new pests into your kitchen.
If you are not meticulous about cleaning out your pantry when it’s time, things can quickly get out of control.
The larvae of insects like this one can survive on small amounts of food, under cabinets, and in corners.
Give the shelves a good scrubbing every couple of months to keep infestations at bay before any problems arise.
References
- What Are Mothballs Used For?
- How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths
Source: https://gardencourte.com
Categories: Kitchens
