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Indian Meal Moth Identification and Control
By Brian Reynolds of Reynolds Pest Management, Inc.
Indian Meal Moth Inspection and Control If you ever see small moths fluttering in your home you may want to take a closer look. These small moths may be Indian Meal Moths (Plodia interpunctella). Damage estimates for Indian Meal Moths and other pantry pests range from $200 million and up to $5 billion in damage in the United States every year alone. Indian meal moths can live from 1 month up to 10 months depending on the temperature. The moths go through a complete metamorphosis from egg, to larva, to pupa, and finally adult. As a home owner it is disturbing to know that the food you have been eating has already been visited upon by these unwanted invaders and you have been unknowingly eating their leftovers and remains. Your grocer will want to know that they have a problem as well, and you should be able to exchange, or get a refund for the infested product that was purchased. Control Measures for Indian Meal Moths You do not have many options at this point other than to find the source of the problem quickly and then to be proactive and thorough in finding the hiding places of the various stages of these moths. Since the adults fly, the eggs that are laid may be anywhere in the structure, but in mild infestations moths are usually not far from the food source. Be sure to check around the ceiling area as they quite often rest, or build their pupa encasements in this area. Indian meal moth larva are what cause the damage to your food. The larva, that look like small caterpillars, feed on a wide variety of food products that are dry. The moths will even be found in spices, chocolate, and other food products that you normally do not find other types of pantry pests in.
The larva that hatch from the eggs may take months to hatch depending on the weather. Indian meal moth larva are able to chew through many types of packaging, and can enter through very small crevices so it is important to place all food items that are not in heavy duty packaging into Tupperware type containers, glass jars, and you can also refrigerate certain items as well. Vacuuming the visible moths and the webby encasements that the larva have made will greatly reduce the number breeding moths and pre-emerging moths. It is important to make sure you dispose of the contents of the vacuum thoroughly when finished. Triangular glue traps that emit pheromones that attract the male moths are available to catch the adult moths. The traps catch the moths which does not allow them to reproduce, thus breaking the life cycle. You may also use plain glue boards to trap the moths as well.
I am Brian Reynolds, a State Certified Operator at Reynolds Pest Management, Inc., certified in pest control, lawn care, and termite control in Florida. When looking to get a free assessment, contact me at (772) 334-7007 or Contact Us for Pest Control | Lawn Care | Termite control service information and support. 
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Contributor's Note
I am Brian Reynolds, a State Certified Operator at Reynolds Pest Management, Inc., certified in pest control, lawn care, and termite control in Florida. When looking to get a free assessment, contact me at (772) 334-7007 or Contact Us for Pest Control | Lawn Care | Termite control service information and support. :-)
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