Your first sign of Indian Meal Moth infestation might be a moth flying around your television. These moths have a whitish body with red-brown wing tips. Indian meal moths are active at night and are attracted to light. This insect has 4 stages: eggs, larva, pupa and moths. It’s considered a common pest in many homes. The Indian meal moth’s larvae eats a wide variety of foods. Would you believe that this insect eats dried fruits, nuts, chocolates, beans, crackers, biscuits, dry dog food, birdseeds, and red peppers! Of course, it also eats grain!
Lifecycle of the Indian Meal Moth
An Indian Meal Moth lays 100 to 300 eggs on food- grain, flour and even on your dog food. The larvae begins to hatch within a 2 week period. Newly hatched larvae begin to eat immediately. The larvae are so small that they can enter most packaged foods and grain. It enters through a package seam or hole. Larvae become pupa anywhere from 2 weeks to 1 year later. The pupa spends its time in a silken cocoon before becoming a moth.
Re-infestation is always a good possibility when it comes to moths. Moths have many hiding places, and a trained pest control professional can help you find and get rid of moths. Suburban encourages all food to be inspected and disposed of. Locating and isolating the moths is half the battle. Call us for a free home inspection (516) 864-6900 or (631) 864-6900
If only your remote control had a button to make these pantry pests disappear!
