Pantry Moths
Facts about Pantry Moths
Tiny, fluttering moths sighted in the kitchen or pantry area can only mean one thing: a pantry moth infestation. Their name describes them aptly; found in pantries and pantry items, these small moths can do quite a bit of damage. Don’t despair; it can be remedied, although it will require a little bit of work.
The name “pantry moth” can actually be applied to several different moth species. The Indian meal moth is the most common moth of this type, which are barely ½ inch long. It is the larvae of the moths that are so destructive; taking up inhabitation within grain storage houses and packaged foods. There are no specific foods targeted by these pesky creatures, either; they will eat just about anything they can invade. And their ability to invade the tightest and tiniest crevices is uncanny. The moths themselves have quite a short lifespan of approximately one week; using that time to mate and lay eggs in the food sources readily available in your pantry.
Once the eggs have been deposited, the time before they hatch can range between 2 to 14 days. Dry goods purchased at the grocery store may have already been infested, and come into your home in that manner. Infestation of a food item such as flour, cornmeal, baking mixes, cereals, herbs, spices and even dry dog or cat food can be visibly seen by webbing in the container or even the caterpillars themselves. The larvae will be a whitish colored worm with a brown head, and will eventually become the pantry moth. This process can take up to 10 months, depending on the temperature at which the food item is stored. Under normal household conditions, it is common for the moth to emerge after just a few weeks.
Ridding your home of these pests is easy, but will take a bit of time. Once evidence of the moth or its larvae is found, every item in the pantry or kitchen must be inspected. As their presence is found, the food item must be bagged and removed from the home as quickly as possible. The entire pantry or kitchen area should then be swept or vacuumed thoroughly, and then scrubbed clean to ensure every trace of the infestation has been removed. Only then should food items be returned to the area.
To avoid infestations in the future, check all items purchased carefully for signs of the pantry moth or its larvae. Place any susceptible items immediately after purchase into airtight containers, such as mason jars with tight fitting lids. Keep the pantry or kitchen area meticulously clean, probing crevices and cracks between appliances to eliminate any crumbs that may have fallen in unseen.
Having a pantry moth infestation can be frustrating, especially when throwing away food items. Being attentive to signs of the invasion and avoiding an infestation from occurring can help to shield you from the task of ridding your home of the pantry moth.