Indian Meal Moths, larva, adult

Do you have unidentified insects flying (fluttering) in your kitchen or living room?  Do you have cotton like material at ceiling areas and conners at the top of your walls? That cotton like material is not a Butterfly Cocoon, (chrysalis) it’s very likely a sign you may have a pantry pest infestation.

Food product pests, i.e. Indian Meal Moths infest dry foods such as cereals, grains, dry dog food, and even some spices. I have even found an infestation of the larvae feeding in a dried flower arrangement on a wall in a family home.

The first thing after finding that you have this issue is to examine all of your dry foods (again don’t forget to check the dry dog and cat foods). If the food packaging is unopened and is a bag type look for small holes.  If the packaging is a box look at the opening on the sides and conners for larvae or webbing. All contaminated items must be discarded to the outside trash.

All areas the product was stored needs to be cleared of all spillage and cleaned, a clean damp cloth will do. The area should be treated with a residual, very low toxic, contact pesticide and dried before any food is returned to the area to ensure that no missed pest can re-infest your foods.  If you have any questions please feel free to call our offices, we can help as “WE KNOW BUGS” and how to deal with them….. EFFECTIVELY! Marquee Pest Management controls pests in the cities of Alameda, Fremont, Hayward, Milpitas and through out the counties of the bay area. Please remember to support you local Pest Control Operator, so we can be there for you when you need us. Thank you!