Pest Control in Glen Echo | Pantry Moth (Updated 2025)

Pantry Moth Control

Homeowners and owners of grocery stores and food-storage facilities have to contend with pantry moth infestations in Glen Echo. These pests are Indian Meal Moths primarily that infest flour, dry grains, nuts, cereals, and pet food with food contamination and wastage. Indoor Control of pantry moths involves the practices of detection, sanitation, proper food storage, and the application of pest control techniques.

Common Types of Pantry Moths

1. Indian Meal Moth (Plodia interpunctella)

• Most prevalent pantry moth with reddish-brown wings and a coppery lower half.
• The larvae spin silk webbing around the infested food, causing clumping and contamination.
• They infest a wide array of dry goods including flour, rice, pasta, nuts, and dried fruits.

2. Mediterranean Flour Moth (Ephestia kuehniella)

• Light gray with dark wavy markings on the wings.
• The larvae cause excess webbing that clogs food processing equipment.
• These infest flour, cereals, and other grain-based products.

3. Almond Moth (Cadra cautella)

• Light brown with slightly darker forewings.
• Larvae infest dried fruits, nuts, chocolate, and processed grains.
• Food warehouses and processing plants are common habitats.

Signs of Pantry Moth Infestation

1. Adult Moths

• Small moths seen winding around the kitchen, particularly in food storage places.
• Most active during evening hours and at light sources.

2. Webbing in Food Containers

• Larvae underweb silk threads that combine food and cause contamination.
• Commonly seen webbing in flour, cereal, and grain bags.

3. Presence of Larvae

• Tiny worm-like larvae were crawling inside food containers along pantry shelves.
• Larvae are white or pinkish with a brown head and can grow up to a half-inch in size.

4. Bad Smell

• Dry food products have an old musty or stale smell because of contamination.

5. Packaging with Holes

• Last stage larvae drill through plastic, paper, or cardboard to enter into their feed source.

Pantry Moth Prevention and Control in Glen Echo

1. Right Food Storage

• Store all dry goods in airtight containers made of glass, metal, or thick plastic.
• Do not store food in paper or thin plastic bags because the larvae will chew through them.
• Items must be labeled and dated to ensure timely usage and avoid prolonged storage.

2. Regular Cleaning of Pantry

• Vacuum the shelves and cracks and corners to remove eggs, larvae, and food debris.
• After vacuuming, wipe down the shelves using vinegar and water to get rid of the pheromones left behind by the moths.
• All contaminated foodstuff should immediately be put into trash bags and discarded.

3. Freeze and Heat Infested Items

• Freeze all food items suspected of infestation at 0°F for 72 hours at a minimum to kill the eggs and larvae.
• A heat treatment of 120°F for 30 minutes can also eliminate pantry moths.

4. Pheromone Traps

• Deploy pantry moth pheromone traps to lure and capture adult males, thereby breaking the breeding cycle.
• Traps should be placed near all food storage areas, while avoiding contact with the food itself.