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Food-Infesting Moths

- Locate infestations with pheromone traps -

Summary: Indian meal moth traps are very effective for locating infestations but not for eliminating them. The best way to eliminate an infestation is to find and discard all infested foodstuff.

Jack DeAngelis, PhD
OSU Ext. Entomologist (ret.)

How to locate and eliminate meal moths

The Indian meal moth (right) is a common pest in kitchens worldwide. You'll first notice small moths fluttering around the room. This may be an indication of infested foodstuff somewhere in the kitchen, pantry or other food storage area.

The key to control of grain infesting moths is to locate the infestation(s) using pheromone traps. Place one trap in each food storage area where you even suspect an infestation. Traps should be used to detect infestations not for control. You can also sometimes find infested foodstuff by simply searching shelves and packages.
Indian meal moth

Indian meal moth. Note dark, coppery band on wings.
 

What to do if you find moths

Discard all infested food when it is found -- be ruthless! Thoroughly search shelves and drawers. Even a small amount of spilled pet food, or a biscuit hidding under the counter, can support meal moths and other pantry pests. Freeze any packaged food that has not been opened. Freezing for even a few days kills all stages of the moth.

Do not use insecticides in the kitchen or pantry. Insecticides won't be effective and they can be hazardous when used indoors.

You must locate the infestation for effective meal moth control and pheromone traps are the best way to locate it.

Pheromone traps

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 possible that there is more than one infestation.

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 foodstuffs quickly spoil. Moths can chew through thin plastic bags to get at, or escape from, contents.

Pheromone traps (right) 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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Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D.

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