Small bugs have been appearing on our walls and ceiling for about two months — about five to 15 per day. What should I use to get rid of them? I occasionally see one flying, but they mostly rest in corners and sometimes stay in the same spot all day.
Even though you’re describing them as “bugs,” what you are seeing are two types of moths in your home — and the control methods are different for each type:
- Stored-food moths are pantry pests found where you store human or pet food.
- Clothes moths are found where you store clothing, rugs, blankets and other items made from animal-based materials such as wool, fur or leather.
To figure out which moths you’re dealing with (or whether you have both), look for where the moths are most common. Carefully inspect closets and stored textiles and check pantry shelves and other food storage areas. Traps such as sticky traps can help you monitor where adult moths are most active and reduce the number you see, but the key is to remove the source.
Clothes moth control
- Store susceptible items in tight containers.
- If you suspect moths in clothing, you can freeze items to kill moths. Cleaning items is even better because it removes residues that can attract pests.
- Remove all traces of moth activity, including larvae and eggs.
- Vacuum thoroughly in closets, along baseboards and in corners where moths rest.
- Dispose of vacuum bags (tie shut) or clean vacuum filters after vacuuming.
Stored-food moth control
- Store foods (including flour, cereal, spices and pet food) in airtight containers.
- If a package is infested, discard it in a tied trash bag. If you want to keep a specific item, you can freeze it to kill moths.
- Remove all traces of moth activity, including larvae and eggs.
- Vacuum shelves, cracks and corners where moths may be breeding.
- Dispose of vacuum bags (tie shut) or clean vacuum filters after vacuuming.
- Clean to remove food particles and spills in food storage areas.
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