Butterflies in the pantry, with 3 leaves they flutter quickly: you won’t have to throw anything away
Many times it happens that you find butterflies in the pantry. How can I avoid having to throw everything away? Here’s the trick.
Small pasta butterflies, fortunately harmless. Many times they find refuge in the pantries because they are attracted by the smell of pasta and cereals that are not well closed, so they end up nesting in the bags that contain our food. They may come home straight from the grocery store or find themselves casually hovering around the kitchen, but once they get to the pantry they will try to make it their home.
In fact, it is precisely the smell of food that attracts these small animals, which end up laying their eggs in cupboards or food containers that are not properly closed.
Farfalle pasta in the pantry, how to remove them
Food infested with farfalle pasta can be a problem because once contaminated it is not suitable for consumption. All floury foods such as pasta and rice are ideal for laying eggs . When they hatch, the larvae can transform from butterflies into insects, affecting the entire bag, until they spread to the rest of the pantry. Therefore, before long you may have to throw everything away, clean it and repurchase pasta, legumes and flours. Luckily, such a small insect is nothing serious, just notice its presence in time to permanently remove it from the pantry in just a few minutes.
There are various substances that can be used to get rid of these types of insects. On the market it is possible to find products and devices designed to capture them, such as adhesive papers that attract all insects to its surface, but the most efficient are undoubtedly the remedies that involve the use of natural products .
Natural products to clean the pantry
If you have to treat places where food will be stored, it is always better to use natural substances . The first thing we should do is clean the pantry and carefully check if all the food has been contaminated. Also pay close attention to the inside corners of cardboard boxes, such as those containing tea and infusions, which are their favorite nesting places. Later, with the pantry cleared, you can move on to cleaning the shelves. To do this, you only need white vinegar and hot water, ideal for disinfecting and cleaning . Clean both the shelves and the doors with the mixture and then leave the pantry open to dry well, to avoid strong odors and stagnant humidity.
Now we come to natural remedies . Different ones can be used, from orange peels to lemon peels which, like citrus fruits, will bother insects. The best ally to get rid of butterflies, however, is undoubtedly the laurel.
How to Use Bay Leaves to Get Rid of Pasta Butterflies
An aromatic evergreen plant with multiple uses, used primarily in culinary preparations, bay laurel has also been used for many other purposes for centuries.
Considered “ the sacred plant ” in ancient times, today it is used for its well-known anti-inflammatory and digestive properties but, above all, to season soups and roasts.
The leaves of the shrub are also increasingly used for their repellent properties against some insects , including butterflies.
Bay leaves, in fact, seem to be very effective in keeping these types of insects away from the pantry. It can be used by simply placing a few fresh bay leaves in the pantry . Its smell, very strong for insects, will keep them away. Just remember to replace them with fresh leaves from time to time.