The larvae of the Indian Meal Moth have the power to bite through plastic and cupboards, which means that these pests could be secretly hiding in your cupboards waiting to emerge this spring. Once an infestation of these pests occurs it is difficult to get them out of your home without professional help. Take these preventative steps to avoid a Meal Moth infestation from moving into your home this spring.
Indian Meal Moth Identification & Facts
- Meal Moth larvae appear as “white worms with blackheads”
- Larvae will travel from their food source to pupate in cracks and crevices.
- The female Meal Moth lays between 60 and 300 eggs
- They may crawl to where the wall and ceiling meet or to the top of the cupboard where they spin a cocoon. Next, the new adult moths emerge.
- In Northeast Ohio, with the cold weather, they overwinter through March and moths emerge in April.
- Although adult moths live only 5 to 7 days, their major function is to reproduce. Hence the reason it suddenly seems like you have a large infestation in little time.
Prevent an Indian Meal Moth Infestation
- Examine cereals, flour & dried fruit for Meal Moth infestations at the store & at home. Avoid purchasing broken or damaged packages. Dispose of infested packages immediately.
- Purchase foods that you don’t use often in small quantities. Store these foods in airtight containers and don’t keep them for more than 6 months.
- Sanitation is the best method to avoid Indian Meal Moths. Cover shelves with shelf paper and keep them clean & dry will help you avoid an infestation.
- If you discover that you have Indian Meal Moths, locate the source of the infestation, and quickly get rid of the product. Dispose of infested foods in wrapped, strong, plastic bags or in sealed containers.
- Pheromone traps can be used to detect moths, but the trap alone is a “monitoring tool” not a control method.
- The use of insecticides is discouraged around food materials. However, aerosol sprays, labeled for this use, will control nuisance moths flying around rooms.
- It is always best to contact a reputable, licensed pest control company who has training, experience, and equipment to get control & eliminate infestation.
How to Get Rid of Indian Meal Moths
Since the larvae can travel from their food source, and reproduce so rapidly it is difficult to get rid of the Indian Meal Moths without the help of a professional exterminator. At Epcon Lane our exterminators are highly trained and know exactly what it takes to get rid of a Meal Moth infestation in your business or home. Have concerns or questions? Give us a call and we will be glad to help. Have a possible Meal Moth infestation, we can schedule your service today! Call Epcon Lane at (330) 278-8939.