A quick tip on how to get rid of small worms in the house is by correctly identifying the type of worm it is.
The first step towards ridding your house of worms is to identify the precise type that has infested your home. You can identify the type of warm based on area of the house they infest.
The common ones that are likely to infest your home are millipedes, moth larvae, and fly maggots.
Moth Larvae
If the worms are limited to the pantry or kitchen, then they are likely to be Indian meal moth larvae.
These worms have a brown head and the typical caterpillar look but are much smaller.
They come to your house as tiny eggs through food packages. They later hatch and turn into moths, which destroys foodstuffs such as grains and cereals.
You can also find them in flours, pet food, dried fruit, pasta, powder milk, nuts, or dried herbs.
How to Identify Pantry Moths
Be on the lookout for the following signs if you think that you have Indian meal moths.
- Larvae in food: Can you imagine seeing your cereal move? How creepy is that? After hatching, the larva makes webs in the contaminated food. You will notice clumps of webs and the little worms. In case the parasites have left the food, you may see their cast-off skins and droppings.
- Larva in house: Look for worms in your walls, especially near the ceiling. They like dark crevices to hide while developing into a moth.
- You may also notice cocoons in house corners and on top of cabinets.
- Another sign of larvae moth is finding moths flying at night around sources of light.
How to Get Rid of Larvae Moths
Once you have spotted Indian meal moths in your kitchen, it is in your best interest to act fast.
These worms can reproduce quickly and cause a heavy infestation.
1. Remove the source
An effective step of how to get rid of small worms in the house is by eliminating the source of the problem.
Find the infested package infested, place it in a plastic bag, and dump it immediately.
2. Deep cleaning
After removing the source of the infestation, cleaning your house and pantry is essential.
Not only will the process remove food leftovers that the worms eat, but it will also eliminate other pests such as spiders on which some larvae feed.
Also, get rid of boxes and bags which might host the worms. If the infestation is heavy, throw away everything, including shelf liners.
Proceed and wash all jars and containers in hot, soapy water to kill the larva and eggs. Besides, you can use a bleach solution and soapy water to clean the pantry, kitchen cabinets, and counters.
Spray a mixture of vinegar, water, and peppermint oil to repel the moths and kill eggs.
Cleaning with a regular household product like borax can work wonders. Steam clean and thoroughly vacuum your entire house to kill the moths and their eggs.
Remember to wash your kitchen drains with baking soda and vinegar at least once a week. Take out the vacuum bag and the trash when you are done.
3. Using pheromone traps
Although this method will not entirely eliminate the infestation, it will help you keep it under control.
These sticky traps have a scent that appeals to male worms. Once they are caught, you can dispose of the trap.
4. Treat the suspect food
While it is best to throw away any food that may be infested, you can save it by freezing or baking under high temperatures.
Avoid using pesticides near food. Furthermore, it is advisable to not restock your pantry until you succeed in eliminating the problem.
5. Millipedes
These worms are often confused with centipedes. Millipedes are black worms that normally curl up when disturbed. You are likely to notice them during spring and autumn.
These unwanted guests are attracted to dark, moist areas with organic matter. And just like any other pests, millipedes access your home through doorways, foundation, windows, and crevices in walls.
Although they are not known to invade in large numbers, they can get in everything including food, clothing, and bedding. Besides, the millipedes can cause destruction to indoor plants.
Beware of their yellow smelling secretion that can stain walls, skin, floors, and clothes if you squash them.
How to Get Rid of Small Worms in The House
Use indoor pest spray
Even though some worms may develop resistance towards pesticides, this method works on various types of parasites.
Get an effective one and spray directly on them.
However, read the owner’s manual to determine its safety near children and pets. Remember to spray dark and damp places in your home.
Cleaning
Killing millipedes on the spot is easy. Remove the infestation by thoroughly sweeping or vacuuming the house.
Wrap them in a plastic paper, whether dead or alive and throw it in a dumpster outside.
You can also get a dehumidifier to eliminate moisture in your home.
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Remove moisture from your lawn
If you have millipede infestation, probably it is because they are breeding in your lawn due to leaf litter or mulch near you your home. Therefore, it is vital to keep your yard dry.
First, ensure the proper functioning of your gutters and water pipes to keep moisture away from the foundation.
Also, remember to install a good drainage system and to adjust your sprinkler to reduce water in your lawn.
Keeping your grass short and clean is the way to go.
Sealing your home
Cover and seal all the ground level vents with fine wire mesh to prevent worm infestation.
You should also fill the crevices with steel wool and use diatomaceous earth.
Dealing with worms in your home should not be a difficult task. The secret is to identify the problem early enough to stop it in a few days.
It is all about proper hygiene and home maintenance. However, if these methods fail, contact a trained professional. They will know best how to get rid of small worms in the house.
