Indian Meal Moths

What attracts Indian meal moths

In Canada and around the world, people find Indian meal moths lurking in stored food. Stores, warehouses, and granaries may house the pests, or they can find their way into homes inside processed foods or by flying in from the outdoors. These moths will infest dry snacks, seeds, grains, or starches.

The dry items that these moths infest double as food sources. Common stored food products, that Indian meal moths infest, include grains, chocolate, dried fruit and beans, herbs, seeds, and spices.

Indian meal moths Habitat, Diet, Lifecycle

Indian meal moths and other similar meal moth species earn the name pantry moths because of their egg-laying habits and larvae that feed on pantry foods. While most people notice them in their adult form, it is actually the larval stage that causes the most problems.

Habitat

In Canada and around the world, people find Indian meal moths lurking in stored food. Stores, warehouses, and granaries may house the pests, or they can find their way into homes inside processed goods or by flying in from the outdoors. These moths will infest dry snacks, seeds, grains, or starches.

Diet

The dry items that these moths infest double as food sources. Common stored goods that Indian meal moths eat include grains, chocolate, dried fruit and beans, herbs, seeds, and spices. In addition, Indian meal moths consume starches like adhesives pastes used for furniture or wood.

Life Cycle/Reproduction

After mating, female Indian meal moths lay hundreds of sticky eggs directly onto a food source. Once hatched, larvae form vast webs of silk. At the pupal stage, they create silken cocoons, pupate and then finally emerge as adults.

How worried should I be about Indian meal moths

Larvae attack and feed on the product that they infest, making it inedible. The silk webbing they create gathers frass and shed skins, causing more contamination. The Indian meal moth can have 5-6 generations in a year, making quick detection key.

Seeing adult Indian meal moths can indicate that there is an infestation nearby, and requires regular inspections of any stored foods. Silky cocoons or webs in product are the strongest indication of their presence, though these visual signs may not always appear. Seeing late stage (mature) larvae wandering around on surfaces, often near infested product is also a clear indication of an infestation.

How can I prevent Indian meal moths invading

To help prevent an Indian meal moth infestation, always inspect any store-bought foods or cooking products. Sanitation is critical when dealing with Indian meal moths. Regularly clean out cupboards and containers using soap and hot water. Homeowners can also store items in containers with airtight locks, avoiding any holes, openings, or loose flaps.