|
|
|
Pantry, Meal,
Kitchen, Flour & Grain Moths
- Larvae ("worms") infest grains causing spoilage -
|
Summary:
A number of different moths infest stored cereals,
grains, dried fruit, dry pet food, and so forth. The
Indian meal moth is a common species in this
group that occurs in kitchens worldwide. There are
now pheromone lures and traps available to help
detect an infestation.
Jack
DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext.
Entomologist (ret.)
|
|
Pantry or meal moths
This page will help you identify
and get rid of pantry moths (meal moths) that
infest stored dry foods like cereals, grains, fruit,
and pet food. There are a number of moths in this
group that all look somewhat similar. Some are drab
grey in color while some are a bit more colorful like
Indian meal moth (see photo right). They are
variously called meal, pantry, kitchen, flour
or grain moths.
These moths are sometimes also called
"structural pests" because they can cause so much
damage and spoilage in commercial grain storage
warehouses. For homeowners, however, meal moths are
mostly a nuisance pest when they infest stored foods
and dry pet food. The first sign of an infestation is
often small moths fluttering around the kitchen,
or in a room near the kitchen.
|
|
Indian meal moth. Note
dark coppery band on wings.
|
|
|
If pantry moths are found:
When moths are found fluttering around
the house you should first place pheromone traps
(see How To Locate A Meal
Moth Infestation) in areas of food storage to
pinpoint the room where the infestation is located.
While these traps will only capture male
moths, this will pinpoint the room or cabinet
where the infestation is likely centered.
The infestation itself will be larvae,
or "worms", feeding near the surface of the food,
often under a thin webbing. You'll have to
search individual packages to find the infestation.
Once found the infestation can be usually be
eliminated by discarding the infested food product, or
freezing for several days anything that is not
discarded. If the infestation has spread to other
areas you'll need to repeat this procedure until no
more moths are trapped.
|
|
The key to dealing with meal moths is
to first find the source of the infestation
which will be in some type of stored food product
and don't forget to check dry pet food. Once located
it is usually just a matter of discarding the
infested food and carefully cleaning the surrounding
areas.
Related
Articles
Meal
Moth Guide a printable guide with pictures
|
|
Don't forget to bookmark
us for next time - press ctrl-D in most browsers.
|
|
|
Mission: To provide accurate, up-to-date and
unbiased information for solving common insect and
mite problems around your home, business and landscape
using least-toxic methods.
Please see the Disclaimer
statements as well.
|
|
|
Copyright © 2004-...
LivingWithBugs, LLC. All rights reserved.
|