Indian Meal Moth Identification & Prevention

Indian meal moths are a type of tiny moth that commonly invades properties in New Jersey. They are small, slim, and light to medium brown. Obviously, they are not the flashiest of moths, and this is part of what allows an infestation of them to go undetected. However, these moths are not much of a problem when they are adults; it's the larvae that do the damage.

As a general rule, Indian meal moths are not dangerous. They do not bite or sting, they don't spread disease, and they can't destroy property that isn't food. They can contaminate food and cause you to have to throw it out, but this is the extent of the property damage they can do. 

One way these pests can cause danger is by attracting moth predators like spiders. Moths may attract these venomous pests into your home, and they can potentially be more of an issue than the moths themselves.

Just about every house has items inside that could attract Indian meal moths. Indian meal moth larvae eat a wide variety of common pantry foods, such as:

• Cereal
• Pasta
• Bread 
• Pet food
• Nuts
• Seeds 
• Flour
• Dried fruit
• Sugar
• Spices
• Corn starch

This means a lot of times winding up with an infestation of these pests is just a matter of bad luck. Maybe you left a door open too long. Maybe your window screen had a rip. Maybe moths are drawn to your exterior lights. All it takes is one female moth getting inside and laying eggs.

You'll find Indian meal moth larvae hanging out in their favorite foods. Most of the time, you will not even be looking for them. You will just open a package of food, and they will be in it, or you may find it already ruined. Adult Indian meal moths, meanwhile, will most likely be flying around light sources inside your home, just like any other moth.

Indian meal moth control can be a huge pain if you already have an infestation. The reality is if you find larvae in one of your pantry items, there is a high likelihood you will find them in other pantry items as well. This can sometimes result and you having to throw out everything in your pantry.

The good news is there's a better way. Here at Bayonne Exterminating, we have the home pest control treatment products and methods to help you eliminate your moth infestation and take your pantry back from these disgusting, food-contaminating pests.

Indian meal moth prevention is a lot easier with pest control in Jersey City. The good news is there is a whole lot more you can do in the prevention department than you can do after you already wind up with an infestation. To prevent these moths, ensure you are storing all your pantry foods in airtight containers to prevent adult moths from being able to lay eggs in your dry goods. 

Also, make sure you are turning off your exterior lights and keeping blinds closed at night to reduce the light sources that these moths may find attractive. And if you wind up with an infestation despite your best efforts, we are standing at the ready here at Bayonne Exterminating.