Indian Meal Moth

Adult generally starts in the spring and continues to autumn. Male moths fly readily in response to sex pheromone released by the females. Mating usually occurs on food stacks. Mated females lay eggs over a two-week period. The larvae are able to penetrate even well sealed packaging. Heavy infestations may lead to visible signs such as silk deposits on the edges of stacks. After moulting larvae will climb to wall/ceiling intersections where only a small proportion of them will pupate immediately, the rest entering a resting phase which allows the extended emergence period.

Indian meal moth larvae can infest a wide range of dry foods, such as cereal, bread, pasta, rice, grains, flour, spices or dried fruits and nuts. The food they infest will often seem to be webbed together. Once the larvae or moths have been found, it is important to throw out all food sources that are not in very tightly sealed containers. None of the stages of the organism (eggs, larvae, adults) is very temperature-tolerant and all can be killed by a week of freezing or by brief heating in a microwave or conventional oven when such treatment is practical. Nontoxic traps are a lure inside a box and sticky walls. These traps are generally known as pheromone traps. The male moths are attracted by the female pheromone which is the lure and then get stuck against the sticky walls inside the box or trap.

If you have an infestation throw away all packaged food, even if it hasn’t been opened and remove everything else stored in the cupboard. Remove all shelves and thoroughly wipe down all surfaces with a vinegar solution. Carefully check and wipe down all food storage areas. Once wiped down, vacuum the area thoroughly. Dispose of the vacuum waste. Ensure you thoroughly clean under and behind any kitchen appliances which may have food residue such as your toaster, oven, dishwasher and fridges.

Wipe down any grease, oils, food spills in the pantry, benchtops, cupboards, stove, microwave oven, kettle and any deep fryers.

Store all open foods like spices, grains, pastas, flours in air tight containers and date the jars so that you know how long you have had them.

There are many pantry pests and if you are unsure what you have e mail or texts us a clear picture and we will help identify the pest you have.

Following are many other pantry insects like;

Almond Moth, Australian Spider Beetle, Booklice, Cheese Mites, Cigarette Beetle, Coffee Bean Weevil, Drug Store Beetle, Flour Mite/Grain Mite, Flat Grain Beetle, Fur Beetle, Furniture Mite, Grain Borer, Golden Spider Beetle, Larder Beetle, Grain Beetle Lesser, Mealworm Lesser, Maize Weevil, Flour Moth, Mediterranean, Rice Weevil ,Shiny spider beetle, Tobacco Moth, Warehouse Beetle, White Marked Spider Beetle, Yellow Mealworm Beetle

Call Wilson’s Pest Control on 0451 590 398 to arrange a free consultation of your property and to discuss our range of effective solutions.