How to Identify Indian Meal Moths

Indian meal moths are a major household pest in the U.S. The adult moths lay their eggs in grains, cereals and flour in your pantry. The larvae then contaminate the food. Homeowners often spy the moths fluttering past the television in the evening and assume they are clothing moths. In the meantime, Indian meal moths are taking over the kitchen. The first thing you need to do is identify Indian meal moths. Here's what to look for.

Difficulty: Challenging

Instructions

1. Take note of any moths zigzagging around the kitchen or pantry. Watch to see if the moth makes its way into the cupboard or food closet or lights upon a food container.

2. View the moth when it is resting. Indian meal moths are about 3/8 of an inch long (8-10 mm) and have a wingspread of 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 inches (18-20 mm). Wings are pale gray, tipped with a reddish or bronze hue.

3. Look for larvae in the angles and crevices of cupboards and shelving where food is stored. A larva looks like a white worm with a black head and is about 2/3 of an inch long.

4. Examine cupboards and food containers for spent larvae casings (the protective tubes shed by the larvae). Larvae "molt" five to seven times before pupating, so you will find numerous casings.

5. Note a sticky webbing in crevices of shelving and in boxes of cereals, grains, flours, dried fruit, chocolate, candy and a variety of other foods.

6. Contact your country extension service for advice on dealing with an Indian meal moth infestation.

Tips & Warnings

• Indian meal moths love dried red peppers. If you purchase a decorative wreath or rope of dried red peppers, put it in a trash bag before taking it into your home. Spray an insecticide (with pyrethrines) into the bag and tie it shut. Let the bag sit a few days to kill any moths, larvae and eggs. Leaving dried red peppers out for several days in freezing temperatures eradicates the larvae and eggs as well.
• Do not use insecticide around food storage and food preparation areas

Resources

• Photos of Indian meal moths.