How do you get rid of Indian meal moths?

The only way to control Indian meal moths is to locate infested materials and clean them out. A thorough cleaning is also needed to get rid of errant caterpillars, cocoons and food sources. No one recommends spraying insecticides in cupboards or food areas because of the risk of illness from eating contaminated food.

How do I get rid of meal moths in my house?

How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths

1. STEP 1: Empty the pantry and inspect its contents. Empty out the affected area—completely.
2. STEP 2: Dispose of non-airtight containers.
3. STEP 3: Vacuum the area, then clean with a vinegar-and-water solution.
4. STEP 4: Don’t re-stock the pantry right way!

What attracts Indian meal moths?

Adult Indianmeal moths are chiefly night flyers, becoming most active at dusk. They are attracted to light, and can be attracted to TV’s. During the day, Indianmeal moths prefer to rest on walls, ceilings, boxes, and in poorly lighted areas.

Are Indian meal moths harmful?

Are they dangerous? Indian meal moths, saw-toothed grain beetles, and cigarette beetles are not in themselves dangerous. The biggest threat they pose is an infestation and spoiling food – creating waste and increased living costs to the homeowner. If the insects themselves or their eggs are ingested, don’t panic.

Why do I have Indian meal moths?

You bring them in when you inadvertently buy the food they’re feeding on and bring it inside. Indian meal moths can infest a wide variety of different stored and dried goods. They could feed on cereal, pasta, bread, pet food, nuts, seeds, flour, dried fruit, sugar, or even spices.

Why do I have tiny moths in my house?

Pantry goods attract moth species that lay their eggs in stored grains and processed products. These pests often come into homes inside infested food packages. Once inside, their eggs hatch into larvae that eat grains, dried nuts, cereals, and a variety of processed products.

Where do Indian meal moths lay their eggs?

Indian meal moths work their way into cracker and cereal boxes, bread bins, flour containers and other dried and processed goods stored in the kitchen, including pet food. Adult females like to lay their eggs inside the dried food packages within the food itself.

Is it safe to eat rice with moths?

There is no danger in eating cooked rice that has moth or larvae. Rice moths do not carry any disease, pathogen, or parasite that can harm humans. Eating cooked rice will not change its flavor even if there were eggs or larvae in the grains.

How long does an Indian meal moth live?

25 days
Adult Indian meal moths live for a maximum of 25 days. The entire life cycle may last anywhere from one month to five weeks, with up to six generations developing within a single year.

Where are these tiny moths coming from?

It sounds like your pantry has been infested with Indian meal moths, also known as pantry moths. The tiny, nearly-invisible eggs come into your house in food packages, and they can hatch into larvae which later turn into moths that wreak havoc on your foodstuffs. Indian meal moth eggs are often present in: Bird seed.

Where are the moths in my house coming from?

What is the life cycle of an Indian meal moth?

Indian Meal Moths go through a complete metamorphosis: egg, larvae, pupae, and adult. The entire life cycle of the Indian Meal Moths take anywhere between 30 days to almost a year at 300 days.

What causes moths in house?

Some moths eat dry foods derived from vegetable sources, especially grains. This moth enters the house through foodstuffs that have been contaminated or improperly cleaned at a point in harvesting and manufacturing. An infestation may also occur or spread within the stores, and the eggs are nearly undetectable in foods.

What do Indian moths eat?

What they eat: Indian Meal Moth larvae eat grain and grain products, dried fruit, seeds, candy, chocolate, crackers and nuts.

Where do Pantry moths come from?

The Indian meal moth is considered as one of the most common stored-food pest among kitchens and grocery stores. And because this moth traces its origins from a tropical country, it thrives well under warm and humid conditions—such as the one found in your pantry. This is why your pantry or larder is the most likely location for its nest.