Pantry Moths
What are pantry moths?
Also known as weevils or Indian Meal Moths
or Kitchen Moths, pantry moths are small moths commonly found in
grains.
How do they get into the food?
Pantry moths are usually brought into the home
via food
purchased. Grains are not their exclusive food
source, they can also be found in biscuits,
cereal, seeds, pet food, dried fruit, nuts,
chocolate, sweets, bird seed,
rodent baits and other dried foods.
Life cycle & appearance of the pantry moth:
The pantry moth has three life cycles. Firstly
the female lays her eggs close to a source of
food. These eggs hatch into larvae approximately
4-8 days. These larvae are approximately 5mm
long, grey/cream coloured & similar looking to
maggots. Larvae mature in around 3 weeks. Adult
pantry moths are around 10mm in length with
brown/grey coloured wings.
How do I know if I have pantry
moths?
Larvae leave a silky mat in areas they eat
food, you may notice this silky thread in your
cupboards or around food containers, in food
etc.
You may notice the small larvae in your
food.
You may see the moths in your home.
Especially around kitchens although it should be
noted that pantry moths can also infest other
areas of the home too.
Preventing pantry moths:
Prevention is certainly the preferred method in
keeping these pests at bay.
When bringing home food, place it in the freezer
for a few days to kill any eggs/larvae already
in the food.
Once you remove the food from
the freezer, store in
airtight containers
with a tight fitting lid. Add some bay leaves
to the container with the food. Also place some
bay leaves on the shelves in your pantry.
Regularly rotate food & don't
leave it sitting around for too long.
Carefully examine food packages prior to buying.
Don't buy broken packaging.
Buy less
frequently used products in small quantities so
that it is not sitting around for a long time.
If you do have food in your pantry that you will
not get through quickly, store it in the fridge
or freezer.
You can purchase pheromone traps from the
supermarket which have a pheromone insert & a
sticky surface. The pheromone insert attracts
the male moths which then become stuck on the
trap. If you notice any moths, inspect all
packages for signs of infestation.
Avoid leaving any food around which may be eaten
by the moths. Ensure kitchen appliances are kept
clean & free of food debris.
Dealing with a pantry moth infestation:
Throw away all packaged food, even if it hasn’t
been opened & remove everything else stored in
the cupboard.
Remove all shelves & thoroughly wipe down all
surfaces with a vinegar solution. Carefully
check & wipe down all nooks & crannies.
Once wiped down, vacuum the
area thoroughly. Throw out the vacuum cleaner
bag afterwards.
Move & clean in, under &
behind any kitchen appliances which may have
food residue such as your toaster, oven,
dishwasher & fridge.
There are several types of
insecticide which may also be used to kill
pantry moths. Your local pest control is the
best place to ask about these products.
Persistence is the key but if the
infestation is severe or you are having
difficulty eliminating these pests then it may
be worth contacting a professional pest
controller.
