How to Protect Food From Indian Meal Moths

An Indian meal moth infestation in your rice, pasta, flour or birdseed is gross and unsanitary. Here are some instructions for eradicating moths, eggs and larvae—and making sure they don't come back.

Things You'll Need

• Hot, soapy water
• Bleach or other disinfectant (optional)
• Glass jars with tight-fitting lids, such as canning jars

Instructions

1. Since Indian meal moths can thrive in spilled grains or flour, make sure you keep your kitchen clean and consistently sweep or wipe up any spills that occur. This goes double for any birdseed or pet food stored in a garage or basement, since Indian meal moths will very quickly find their way from dog food to YOUR food.

2. If you see moths in your house, try to find the source of the infestation. Indian meal moths generally reside in grain products, such as rice, flours, cereal or pasta, but can also be found in dried fruit, nuts and seeds, pet food, herbs, spices—basically anything that is even remotely edible! Look for small brown and tan moths or white larvae. The larvae often spin silk cocoons to protect themselves while feeding. This sticky webbing can also be used as a sign of infestation.

3. If you find the source of the Indian meal moth infestation, place the entire food product in a tightly sealed plastic bag and discard immediately outside. If you wish to save the container that the product is in, empty the contents into a plastic bag and discard outside, then immediately wash the container with very hot, soapy water, making sure to scrub every little corner and crevice.

4. If you find one product with Indian meal moths, examine all other grain products in your house, too. For questionable products, you can kill any possible insects by placing the product in the freezer for at least four full days, or by heating it to 140 F for at least 20 minutes.

5. Thoroughly clean out all your cabinets, too, since Indian meal moths might be hiding under shelves or tucked away in corners. Use soapy water, as hot as you can stand it, followed by bleach or other household disinfectant (optional). Remember to check and wash every tiny crevice.

6. To prevent future infestations, store all your grain products in very tightly sealed containers, such as glass canning jars. Indian meal moths can squeeze themselves into remarkable small spaces, and zip-top bags and most plastic containers do not seal tightly enough to keep bugs out.

7. Buy your grain products from trusted companies or from reputable stores. A pest infestation can happen anywhere, but a responsible store will strive to keep its bulk foods area as clean as possible and will immediately remove and discard any product that becomes infested. If you notice Indian meal moths or any other insect in your food soon after purchasing it, call the store to let them know so they can combat the problem.