Can Pantry Moths Get Into Tupperware?

Food storage is an essential part of kitchen management. We carefully choose specific items to store different food because it can affect the lifespan and serves as an entry for tiny insects. If you are wondering if pantry moths can get into Tupperware. Here is the answer below:

Pantry moths can get into Tupperware because these tiny insects can eat through material like cardboard and soft plastic like Tupperware. These containers might not be good enough to protect the food. It is best if you choose glass or hard plastic storage containers.

It is so frustrating to see tiny insects in your pantry container, but no worries, there are ways on how to keep them out. But before that, here is what causes pantry moths:

What Causes Pantry Moths?

Pantry moths gain entry to your home from the purchased dry food items that are contaminated at the food processing and packaging plant.

Once they get into your home, they can spread if the products are sorted in thin plastic containers, which lets the larvae eat through and spread to other containers.

These insects feed only on dry foods like grains, flours, and cereals, requiring warm temperatures to breed and thrive.

Even the temporary storage of items in the freezer can kill any insects that are in the container. In regions, where pantry moths are prevalent, using the cold storage method is a common method.

Related Post: Is It Safe To Eat Beans With Weevils?

Ways To Prevent Pantry Moth

Air, moisture, and sunlight, and food can create a favorable environment for kitchen moths to live and reproduce. Storing your pantry goods in an airtight container can help lock out the pests, so start with organizing the pantry. Here are some tips that can help:

Avoid buying in bulk

Buying in bulk saves money when it is consumed before its expiry date. If you have a smaller family, buying in bulk will not be a practical idea. Food containers that stay untouched are an excellent breeding ground for kitchen pests.

Store food in good containers

Keep your dry staples like flour, grains, cereals, and lentils in an airtight container. Hard plastic containers are available in different sizes.

For example, those with deep enough to hold larger quantities of cereal and flours, and those containers for small quantities to store spices.

Make sure to refrigerate your dry staples for two weeks in the containers before you place and organize them in the pantry. It is because refrigerating dry stock will cease the reproduction of moths that haven’t yet hatched from the eggs.

Do a deep clean

Pantry moths lurk even in the tiniest of cracks, like crevices of canned goods and other containers. You need to wipe down all the jars and cans with some soap and water. Vacuum the pantry and the cabinet carefully, pay extra attention to corners and cracks.

You may need to use a toothpick to ensure there are no larvae or eggs lodged inside. Once you are finished, change the vacuum bag or empty the container outdoors.

If you have shelf paper, now is the time to pull it up and put down the new stuff. Clean the shelves with a bleach solution, then followed by soap and water.

Toss opened dry goods

Flour, grains, and other dry staples should be taken out of their initial packaging. Keep them in an airtight container to protect them from kitchen intruders.

If you leave packets of flours, cereals, and lentils, it can invite moths that can lead to a more severe infestation. Bag everything up and put it straight in the dumpster or out from the curb.

Do not store the trash in the garage or anywhere near the house because you will risk spreading infestation elsewhere in the house.

How To Get Rid Of Almond Moths?

The initial step in eliminating almond moth is through careful inspection.

Empty the food storage areas as well as the shelves and food packages. Food that is covered with webbing should be eliminated. The new food must be kept in sealed glass containers until you are assured that the infestation has been resolved.

Reinspect every one or two months to check for any future infestation. Vacuum the empty shelves, door edges, and all cracks, gaps, and dents to eliminate food sources and insects.

When buying organic or bulk grains, inspect your purchase to assure that you do not bring home any insect infestation. Do not store bulk because too much product can lead to having old material available for a moth infestation. Remember the FIFO policy in storage, first in, first out.

If these tips do not work to eliminate the problem, treatment should be applied, and the use of specialty insect traps must be carried out. For insecticide treatments, always contact your pest management professional for advice and expertise.

Best Airtight Containers

Le’raze Glass Kitchen Container with Airtight Lid

Material: Glass

This container from Le’raze is made from glass materials.

They are manufactured from lead-free borosilicate glass and come with a tight-fitting bamboo lid. The set comes in five containers of different sizes with capacities ranging from 16 to 54 ounces.

Each container has a wide mouth for using the spoons and cups comfortably. These containers are dishwasher safe, but the lids must be washed by hands.

If you don’t need to buy the entire set, they can be sold individually too. Furthermore, they are heat and cold-resistant. If you are looking for display pieces for your kitchen, these are a great option.

It has a design of minimalist lines combined with a neutral palette that gives elegance to your kitchen. Moreover, the bamboo seal is what makes this container special. It gives a satisfying whoosh when you remove the lid, giving you a sign that it is tightly closed.

What I Liked:

• Environmentally friendly

What I Didn’t Like:

• Since they are made from glass, they are prone to breakage
• The lids need to be washed by hand

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Rubbermaid Brilliance Food Storage Containers

Material: Plastic

To keep your pantry organized as well as protect it from pests, varying sizes of containers and compatibility are essential.

These containers are available individually or come as a set. It comes with a stackable line with airtight lids that latch in place to keep it securely close. Each container is designed with a slight rim that keeps the containers secure when stacked up.

Whether you use them to store snacks, flour, cereal, and other dry goods scooping, and pouring are made easy because of their design. They are also safe to store in the freezer.

Moreover, these containers are dishwasher-safe and come in nine different sizes with three interchangeable lids. Unfortunately, the sets need to be augmented with additional specialized containers to complete the pantry.

What I Liked:

• It can be sold individually or as a set
• It is easy to scoop and pour from
• It has a space-saving design

What I Didn’t Like:

• The lid may be difficult to clean

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New OXO Good Grips POP Containers

Material: Plastic

OXO is a popular brand for different kitchen items.

This container from OXO comes with a button design that ensures an airtight closure when pushed. This set has convenient accessories like scoops that can be attached to the underside of the lid. You don’t have to worry about digging through your canister to get a measuring cup.

More importantly, these containers are airtight so that pests, dust, and other tiny particles won’t get in. Also, it is dishwasher safe and comes with handy fill lines for measurement.

They are constructed from sturdy BPA-free plastic materials. The set comes in five containers of varying sizes with five matching lids, two scoops, and a sugar saver.

What I Liked:

• It is airtight, perfect storage for dry goods
• It is made from sturdy BPA-free plastic materials

What I Didn’t Like:

• The gasket on the lid is difficult to clean

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