Among the various categories of undesirable pests are pantry pests, aptly named for their habit of invading food stored in pantry and cupboard areas of a home. Among the most often encountered include meal moths (Pyralis farinalis), saw-toothed grain beetles (Oryzaephilus surinamensis), drugstore beetles (Stegobium paniceum), and several types of weevils. Although these pests do not bite or sting, they contaminate food.
The Indian meal moth (Plodia interpunctella) is a prevalent home-invading pest that primarily targets dried food in kitchen storage areas. The name stems from their practice of feeding on “Indian meal” or cornmeal.
How long do Indian meal moths live? The lifecycle of an Indian meal moth ranges from thirty to approximately three hundred days. Mature females can lay between one hundred and three hundred eggs in their short lifetime.
Is your home now the site of a significant moth invasion? Contacting a local pest control company is usually the best course of action when responding to these types of concerns. An experienced Colorado Springs pest control professional understands the Indian meal moth lifecycle and behavior and will apply this knowledge when necessary for eradicating these types of unwanted flying pests.
Indian Meal Moths Are Pretty Easy To Identify
In some cases, proper Indian meal moth identification involves looking closely at these pests, particularly their wings. Adult Indian meal moths usually measure roughly 1/2 inch long and have wings with either a reddish-brown or cream front half and a darker back half. The flight path of an Indian meal moth will commonly appear erratic. Because of an attraction to light, Indian meal moths may spread into other areas of a home.
What do Indian meal moth eggs look like around your home? The eggs generally appear in shades of grey or white and are very tiny, which makes seeing them with the naked eye rather tricky. Based on their substantial reproductive efficiency, a somewhat minor intrusion will quickly escalate into a full-blown infestation that becomes unmanageable.
Females place the eggs alone or in small clusters—typically within a food source. After approximately a week, larvae emerge from the egg and consume the surrounding food for several weeks. The Indian meal moth larva has a worm-like appearance, measures about 1/2 inch long, and generates a silky web-like material.
Are Indian Meal Moths In The House Harmful To Human Health?
What are the Indian meal moth health risks? Any food containing Indian meal moths in any stage of development requires disposal, as it may contain feces, shed skin, and broken eggshells. These pests are known for invading food processing or storage facilities where they contaminate larger quantities of product.
Factors That Attract Indian Meal Moths To Your Property
Are you wondering how to prevent Indian meal moth infestations? The first step involves understanding what attracts these unwanted pests, such as:
- Some of the common types of food that become infested with Indian meal moths include cereal, flour, rice, pasta, crackers, nuts, seeds, or dried beans.
- Infestation is most common in already opened food products or those with damaged packaging composed of paper, cardboard, or a cellophane-type material.
- Bright interior lighting will attract Indian meal moths.
Unlike similar pests, Indian meal moths do not consume fabrics and other clothing materials. In addition to limiting attractants, those who successfully prevent these pests also inspect grocery items for evidence of moth activity before purchasing them. They will transfer weakly packaged foods into more durable containers such as plastic or glass.
The Best Solution To An Indian Meal Moth Infestation In Your Home
The team of home pest control service professionals with High Country Pest Control understands the process of Indian meal moth eradication and the best Indian meal moth prevention methods. Call us now for a free estimate or more information.