How do food moths find their way into closed containers?

Moths that attack food are either flour moths, which are about 1cm long, or the slightly smaller Indian meal moths. However, it is not the moths themselves, but their larvae that cause trouble in the pantry. The hungry caterpillars are attracted to food with carbohydrate content such as grains, cereals, nuts, sugar and dried fruits, although tea and coffee are also at risk. The grubs follow their sense of smell and can cover distances of several hundred meter . They have no difficulty in munching their way through paper and thin plastic packaging. When newly hatched, they are even small enough to work their way along the screw threads of jars, Sometimes, however, not even airtight containers made of glass, metal or heavy - duty plastic can keep them out. If the food is already contaminated with moth eggs prior to purchase the larvae will hatch in their very own private food supply.

How do we eradicate these household pests?

Once food is infested with moths it is inedible since it contains moth larvae, and all anyone can do is dispose of it. Afterwards, the cupboard will need a though cleaning in order to try and prevent future infestations. Traps baited with pheromones to lure the male moths will stop them reproducing. Ichneumon wasps are used in some ware-houses to track down and destroy moth eggs.