Foxy_fromCanada

Hey all,

Anyone have any advice for where to get dry good that aren't infested with moths? Pasta, oatmeal, flour, cereals... most of these types of boxed/bagged dry goods usually contain moths and now they've made a home of our kitchen cupboards!

Any advice is appreciated. We do keep some of those things in the fridge nowadays.

Foxy

zanne

All in the fridge in our house...I have also read that Bay Leaves in the dry goods deter the moths.

Foxy_fromCanada

Bay leaves right in the boxes? We sprinkled them in the cupboard, but to no avail... Should I put them right in the oatmeal/flour/cereal/etc?

Thanks Zanne!

zanne

Yes, and actually you can buy fresh Bay at the Cheapside Market on Saturdays.

Sunniebgi

I have a bay leaf tree in my back yard.. hardly ever use it.. but alas.. it also is supposed to help with roaches as well..

by the way.. in a Canadian/Barbadian Cookbook, put out by the Canadian Woman's Club a few years ago, there is a tip.. Always put your pasta/rice/oatmeal etc in the freezer for 24hours right after bringing it home.. will kill any of the little nasties that may be lurking.. and I have to tell you.. I've actually never seen a moth in any of those things.. other things.. but never moths..

Foxy_fromCanada

Hm, good tip! I will have to try that too. Thanks!

Netsirk

I did some checking (since this directly affects me...) and here are the options to get rid of moths in your oatmeal, pasta and other dried goods.

• Place the oatmeal or whatever in a ziplock or airtight container
• Put in the freezer for at least 24 hours, some gov't websites recommended 1 week. This kills the moth larvae which are super-tiny and can get into any box/bag.
• OR
• Heat to 140F for 15 mins.

Iowa State University Bug Department - Indian Meal Moth

Foxy_fromCanada

Hey! Look who's back!

Netsirk

I was here all along.... like the moths!!

shines

You've lost a 'k' though.. Was it painful?

zanne

You are lurker, just like the moths!

Lorna at Vicenza

At the risk of sounding like a pompous **** ............ how can you heat pasta or rice to 140° for 15 minutes without it cooking or going sweaty and gluten-ey?

I live in Italy and the folks here just move stuff to the fridge in high season ...... either in containers or in very tightly pegged bags or bags wrapped in layers of cling film ......... but in the fridge.

Sunniebgi

I'm going to have to agree with Lorna.. didn't understand that heating thing myself.. unless you are supposed to nuke it in the micro.. but it will still cook and get all yucky.