کیڑا (پتنگا) Pantry & Clothes Moths

Pantry (Indian meal) moths are found around stored food — grains, flour, dried fruit, nuts, spices — with visible webbing in the product. Clothes moths are found in wardrobes, carpets and storage areas, with irregular holes in wool/silk items and silk webbing on fabric. The adult moths also look slightly different — Indian meal moths have a distinctive two-toned wing pattern.

Clean items thoroughly before storage (moths are attracted to food/sweat residue, not just the fibre), store in airtight containers or sealed bags, use cedar wood or lavender as a deterrent (not a guaranteed kill method), and inspect stored items periodically — especially before the start of winter season.

Removing infested items is the essential first step, but check ALL stored dry goods — moths can spread between products, and larvae can travel short distances to find new food sources. A pheromone trap helps confirm whether the population has been fully addressed after cleanup.

Naphthalene mothballs have some repellent/fumigant effect in sealed containers but raise health concerns with prolonged exposure, particularly for children and pregnant women, and their odour persists on treated items. Pest Orbit recommends safer integrated approaches — proper cleaning, sealed storage and targeted professional treatment where needed.