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Moths in my Van!

post #1 of 6
7/26/10 at 11:36pm
Thread Starter 
Last year I went through a serious issue with moths taking over my kitchen cupboards, and I had to throw away tons of food. I cleaned out the cupboards and now store my food in glass or plastic jars or in the freezer. They seem to be under control.

The problem now is my mini van. I have had a problem with them in there off an on for more than a year, and it is really getting terrible! Every time I get in there I kill five or six more of them and they are disgusting. It's embarrassing to have people in there. Then yesterday I was driving and I saw a tiny little caterpillar crawl across my speedometer, underneath the plastic. YUCK! They have taken over and I don't know what to do. I don't want to bomb my van with a bug bomb because I don't want it to stink or to expose myself or my kids to the toxins. I put a sachet of moth repelling herbs in there and that doesn't make any difference. I do let the kids eat in the van, but I take out the garbage regularly. I cleaned out and vacuumed the van not long ago...What can I do to get rid of them short of setting the van on fire (or trading it in!).
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post #2 of 6
7/26/10 at 11:44pm
Are these the same kind? Weevils? I haven't dealt with them, but I nannied for a family that had an issue with them. I feel for you. It wasn't fun.

This is definitely not the "crunchy" response, but I'd spray the crap out of the van and just not use it for a day or two if possible to let stuff dissipate, then just air it out really well. But, I just SERIOUSLY hate bugs, especially flying ones.
post #3 of 6
7/27/10 at 2:32pm
Thread Starter 
These are the same kind I had in my house. Small brown moths. I killed ten more this morning. YUCK!

I think I will clean it out, then spray and drive something else for a few days while it airs out. Not the ideal choice, but I'm getting desperate.
post #4 of 6
7/27/10 at 2:40pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by paisleypoet View Post
These are the same kind I had in my house. Small brown moths. I killed ten more this morning. YUCK!

I think I will clean it out, then spray and drive something else for a few days while it airs out. Not the ideal choice, but I'm getting desperate.
Huh. It just seems really odd to have something like that in a vehicle. Maybe they came from something in your pantry and have now just set up shop? They are DARN persistent, that's for sure.

I hope whatever you do works!
post #5 of 6
7/27/10 at 3:52pm
ugh... i feel for you. I'm having the problem with the kitchen moths right now... it is so frustrating! I'd maybe try some EO blends to repel, and then if that doesn't work.... bomb it and don't drive it for a few days .... I know that that isn't what you want to do (trust me, I wouldn't either) but if nothing else works, I'd just do it. I'm looking up EO blends right now to use in the kitchen to help repel them. I'll come back when I'm done and let you know what they are...
post #6 of 6
7/27/10 at 9:21pm
Me too!

I was given a van with moths. I almost have it beat. I took out the seats and unscrewed the plastic things on the floor where the seats latch to the floor. That's where I found the most moth worms. I vacuumed and steam cleaned everything. I took out the console between the two front seats, as well. The only thing I didn't take out was the front seats. Everything I could remove (cup holders, etc) went through the dishwasher.

After all that, I was still seeing them and I got those sticky moth traps that have a scented lure. The first one filled up (I didn't put it in right after cleaning) and now the second one is just getting a couple. I'll link the trap I used but you also have to get all the food crumbs out. These moths have wintered in the van for several Northern New Jersey winters. Pretty amazing.

http://www.amazon.com/Safer-Brand-05...ref=pd_sim_k_3