How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths

Keep dry staple foods in airtight containers to prevent pantry pests.

The pantry moth or Indian meal moth is a common pest in pantries and cupboards, feeding on foods with a high starch or sugar content. While they are a nuisance, these moths can be controlled without chemicals by eliminating the existing infestation and protecting food from re-infestation.

Things You'll Need

• Heavy-duty, zipper-top bags
• Airtight containers
• Plastic wrap
• Cookie sheet
• Hand or shop vac
• Rags
• Cleaning solution

Instructions

1. Identify all infested materials. Meal moths feed primarily on grains, but also go after foods with a high sugar content, including dried fruit, candies, chocolate, cocoa powder and pudding mixes, so check every item in the pantry or cupboard. Don't forget birdseed and pet food. Signs that a product is infested include bits of webbing attached to the inside of the container, several grains stuck together in a clump, and the presence of larvae or mature moths in the container. Indian meal moth larvae resemble a grain of rice with a dark spot at one end. To thoroughly check flours and whole grains, spread the product out on a cookie sheet to inspect under adequate light.

2. Dispose of all infested material. It is not enough to get the infested products out of the cupboard. You need to get them out of the house and into the trash as quickly as possible. Tightly wrap infested items to ensure that no moths or larvae escape.

3. Thoroughly clean pantry and cupboards. Vacuum up spills and wipe down all surfaces, including the undersides of shelves with a surface cleaning solution. Meal moths pupate in crevices, so if the cupboard or pantry shelves are removable, take them out and thoroughly clean the brackets and where the shelf rests on the support brackets.

4. Repack any potential food source in airtight containers to prevent re-infestation. Meal moths cannot survive where they do not have access to a food supply, so the key is to make certain that any potential food source is protected. Keep flour in zipper-top bags or canisters. For screw-top storage containers, consider placing a double layer of plastic wrap under the lid before you screw it on to ensure a tight seal. Double-bag candies, chocolates, dried fruits, pudding mixes and dry soup mixes in two sealed zipper-top bags. Consider storing whole grains in the freezer.

Tips & Warnings

• Monitor your storage area after an eradication attempt. If you missed any eggs or larvae, signs of re-infestation will show up within a month or two.

References

• Colorado State University Extension: Indian Meal Moth
• University of Nebraska - Lincoln Extension: Pantry Pests