These Essential Oils Could Keep Indian Meal Moths Out Of Your Pantry Cabinets

Imagine this. You go to get a late-night snack, open your pantry door, and all of a sudden, instead of a tasty treat, you get a face full of tiny fluttering bugs. These uninvited guests go by the name of Indian meal moths and are known for being one of those pantry pests to be on the lookout for. These moths have purplish-red forewings and a fairly distinctive yellowish or brownish base, making them easy to spot, and they thrive on grains, spices, and dry foods, laying eggs that result in a new generation of pests feasting on your pantry staples.

Thankfully, there's a natural solution to combat these pesky pests! Essential oils like lavender, peppermint, eucalyptus, and bergamot act as a popular, non-toxic hack to repel bugs like Indian meal moths. The strong scents can deter them and avert their pesky advances into your food supplies, so incorporating these oils into your kitchen routine might just be the way to save your pantry. These bugs prefer anything from nuts and legumes to cereals, pasta, teabags, and even dried fruit — meaning if they can get to it, they're going to try and eat it, leaving you with infested foodstuffs. Larvae can bite their way into all sorts of packaging materials, including paper, cellophane, and polythene, leaving behind spoiled food and other unwelcome surprises. So, it's best to get a head start on this before the infestation worsens.

As for how to get rid of Indian meal moths with essential oils, first things first –- cleaning is essential. Start by removing and destroying any infested food items; keep an eye out for webbing and small grubs. Thoroughly clean your shelves and cupboards, giving extra attention to cracks and crevices where larvae and pupae might be hiding. As an added step, store all foods that could be susceptible to infestation away in sealed containers. Now, on to the essential oils themselves. You don't want to just dribble some oil on the bottom of your pantry; instead, let's create a sachet using a clever rice hack to slowly release the scent over time. 

Grab your chosen essential oil and some fabric squares, along with a handful of rice and a bit of ribbon. Pour a few tablespoons of rice into the center of a fabric square and add 10 to 15 drops of your essential oil on top. The rice works like a sponge, absorbing the scent and keeping it potent for longer, meaning fewer sachet replacements for you. Nest, fold the fabric square, tie it with a ribbon, and place it strategically in your pantry — just make sure it's out of reach of little ones and pets, as some essential oils can be harmful to them (via Healthline). Let those sachets do their magic; the delightful aroma will not only freshen your pantry but also send Indian meal moths looking for their next meal elsewhere.