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Pantry or Meal Moth Traps
- Locate infestations with pheromone traps -
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Summary: Meal moth pheromone traps are very effective for locating infestations. Pheromone traps lure male moths to a sticky surface. Traps are used to pinpoint where the infestation is but the best way to eliminate it is to discard all infested food products and treat cracks and crevices with a kitchen-safe botanical insecticide.
Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)
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How to find meal moth infestations
 The Indian meal moth is a common pest in kitchens worldwide. You'll first notice small moths fluttering around the room. This may be an indication of dry food that is infested with larvae (right) somewhere in the kitchen, pantry or other food storage area. Moths lay eggs in grains, cereals, dry fruit, nuts, bird seed and dry pet food. Moth larvae feed on the surface of these materials and often cover it with a fine webbing. Infested foods quickly spoil.
The key to control of these moths is to locate the infestation(s) using pheromone traps (see below). Place one trap in each food storage area where you even suspect that there may be an infestation.
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Indian meal moth larva on dried raisin. Note dark amber colored head capsule (top right).
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Pheromone traps consist of a sticky surface and a female-scent lure that attracts and traps male moths. Traps are used to detect infestations not for control. You can also sometimes find infested food products by simply searching shelves and packages.
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What to do if you find moths
Discard all infested food when moth larvae are found -- be ruthless! Thoroughly search shelves and drawers. Even a small amount of spilled pet food, or a biscuit hiding under the counter, can support meal moths and other pantry pests (see Related Articles below). Freeze any packaged food that has not been opened. Freezing for even a few days kills all stages of the moth.
Do not use conventional aerosol insecticides in the kitchen or pantry. These insecticides won't be effective and they can even be hazardous when used indoors. Instead, use kitchen-safe botanical insecticides to treat cracks and crevices after shelves and cabninets have been thoroughly cleaned (see Using Botanical Insecticides Indoors).
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Pheromone traps for meal moths
Use pheromone traps to locate the general area of an infestation down to a room or cabinet. Traps for pantry moths and a variety of other pests can be purchased here: Traps @ Arbico-Organics (search on "meal moth trap"). Arbico is also one of our affiliates. It may take some time to completely eliminate a large meal moth infestation. Stay with it. As long as you are trapping adult moths keep searching for the infestation, it is likely that there is more than one.
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Pheromone traps should last 1-3 months. Place traps in several locations to have a better chance of isolating the infestation. It may even be possible to eliminate a small infestation with traps alone. Keep replacing traps until no more moths are captured.
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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.
Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.
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