Where do moths come from in your apartment and house?
Before looking for ways to fight, you need to find out where the moth comes from. Small gray butterflies do not cause such a wave of disgust as a cockroach running through the kitchen, but their appearance does not bode well. At first they feed on cereals, but they can also move into closets, where an expensive fur coat will serve as a delicacy. To remove midges from your home, you need to find out what type of insects you are dealing with.
Kinds
A moth is a butterfly with a rather modest body size (no more than 15 mm) and inconspicuous gray wings. She tries to settle in an apartment because she finds there a stable source of food and good breeding conditions. The female can lay up to 150 larvae, from which a swarm of insects will emerge.
Types of moths found in the house:
- food (grain);
- wardrobe
The name reflects the source of nutrition and favorite food. To answer the question of where the moth comes from, you need to find its habitat. The routes of entry into the house are completely different for both species. In addition, small pest butterflies can also live in nature (apple, rye or cabbage moths). Such species cause trouble for gardeners.
food moth
Insects cannot appear in an apartment on their own. Most likely, you somehow brought them into the house. The greatest risk awaits you in markets and small stores where cereals are sold by weight. Many people believe that packaged foods are protected from insects.However, due to their small size, they easily penetrate even the slightest tears in the packaging.
Be careful when purchasing promotional items. Unscrupulous sellers and managers of large supermarkets can get rid of batches of cereals infested with parasites at low prices.
Food moths are found in the following products:
- cereal crops;
- flour;
- dried berries and fruits;
- dried herbs;
- dry food for dogs and cats;
- nuts;
- plant seeds and dried roots.
Advice
Store nuts and grains only in airtight containers.
The second option for the appearance of insects in an apartment is an independent path. If these butterflies have settled in your neighbors’ kitchen for a long time, there is a chance that they will decide to expand their habitat. However, their wings are not able to withstand long air travel, reducing the risk of moving on their own.
How to prevent the appearance?
Any home is not immune from the appearance of midges. It's not about cleanliness. Even with perfect order, they can find a secluded place where cereals or flour are stored and choose it as a permanent home. Having found out where the food moth comes from, you need to prevent its reproduction and feeding.
- Store cereals and flour in sealed jars. By leaving open bags of flour and cardboard boxes of oatmeal, you risk creating a swarm of butterflies in your apartment.
- Check dark, dry areas. Midges love to settle in pantries, dark closets and nightstands. Periodically visit these places for early detection of unwanted guests.
- Ventilate cabinets. Moths hate fresh air. She is attracted by the musty smell in cabinets and cabinets.
- Sprigs of lavender and peels of citrus fruits will also help cope with the scourge.These insects do not tolerate strong floral or citrus scents. It is enough to place a couple of sprigs of lavender in the cabinets.
- Do not store nuts in large quantities. Midges appear in nut stores more often than in cereals.
- Check store purchases when pouring into sealed glass containers.
Clothes moth
The name of the species speaks for itself: these midges love to settle in closets and feast on products made from natural materials (wool, fur). In addition to clothing, furniture upholstered with natural materials may also be damaged. Such insects often appear in apartments and cause significant damage when clothes or furniture are damaged.
The most likely way for clothes moths to enter your home is by purchasing a product that is infested with insects or larvae. Such items include:
- natural wool carpet;
- pillow or bedspread with natural filling;
- furniture upholstered in natural fabrics;
- wool sweaters, hats, scarves;
- fur coats or hats;
- fur-lined shoes.
The tricky part is that even expensive products are not protected from being eaten by voracious butterflies. One individual that appears in an apartment will very quickly give birth to offspring - if you buy one item infested with midges, you risk infecting your entire wardrobe. They move very quickly from one thing to another.
Some people claim that moths appeared in the house due to pets with long hair. While walking outside, it can cling to the dog's fur. This “type of transport” cannot be ruled out, but its likelihood is extremely low.
How to prevent the appearance?
To prevent parasites from eating all the natural things in the apartment, you need to follow a number of rules.
- Inspect every purchased item and piece of upholstered furniture.
- Periodically ventilate fur items in the fresh air under the sun's rays.
- Place open jars of essential oils or pillows with lavender flowers in closets where fur and wool items are stored.
- In winter, you can “freeze” fur coats and sweaters on the balcony to kill insects and their pupae.
Periodic cleaning of the kitchen and cabinets will prevent insects from permanently settling in your home. Knowing how moths appear, it is easier to deal with unwanted roommates.