Pantry Moth Pest Control

Moth Control FAQs

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  What are pantry moths?

  Indian meal moths, often known as pantry moths, are a common household pest in Oregon as well as much of the United States. These moths are known for infesting kitchen pantries and dry goods, as their name suggests. Pantry moths feed on dried foods, grains, and food residue found in the home, and female moths deposit their eggs within these food sources. A single female can deposit up to 400 eggs at a time, and these eggs hatch into highly destructive larvae. The pantry moth larvae eat everything they can (both food and packaging) as they develop into caterpillars which cocoon in hidden crevices or buried within food products. After the cocoons hatch, the cycle of reproduction continues. Pantry moths are infamous for their ability to spread rapidly and destroy/contaminate foodstuffs on a large scale.
  Indian meal moths are the most prolific in warm summer months (most often taking flight at dusk) but can infest homes throughout the year. Adult moths are about 3/4 inch long with light gray/brown coloration on the front half of the wings and a darker, often rust-like, color on the back half. The adult moths have an irregular zigzag flight pattern, making them difficult to catch.

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  What are the signs of a pantry moth infestation?

  Pantry moths infest many varieties of stored foods. Grains, cereal, pasta, dry herbs, pet food, wild bird seed, and other dry goods are the foods most commonly affected, though food residue and crumbs in hard-to-reach areas of a kitchen or pantry can also provide a suitable habitat for moth breeding. Pantry moth infestations are generally most easily detected by the presence of a white webbing inside packages and on food. Chewed entry holes should be looked for in food packaging, as well as the presence of moth larvae (which appear similar to maggots). Affected food may also have a musky, unpleasant odor.
  Since the list of materials that can attract and support pantry moths is so broad, inspection of the home must be thorough. Close attention should be paid to food items that have remained (perhaps forgotten about) in cupboards or pantries for long periods of time. Hard, tightly sealed containers are less likely to be affected, whereas loosely sealed products (opened breakfast cereals or loosely rolled chip bags, for example) should be treated with greater concern. Areas outside the kitchen may also require inspection, such as places where pet food is stored. If you need help identifying a possible infestation, don’t hesitate to contact Bug Zapper’s staff of friendly, knowledgeable pest professionals.

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  How serious are pantry moths?

  Worried that you’ve eaten some food in your pantry before discovering your moth problem? Don’t worry – despite how uncomfortable the thought of eating moth larvae and their waste is, pantry moths are not known carriers of disease, and experts say you cannot become seriously ill from ingesting pantry moth parts in your food. While pantry moth contamination of foodstuffs is not considered a serious health risk, all food with confirmed or suspected moth presence should still be promptly discarded. As such, infestations are not only gross, but can also take quite the financial toll and cause significant amounts of food waste – especially if the issue is not promptly resolved, and new groceries become infested.

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  Can I get rid of pantry moths on my own?

  Because of their close relationship with food and the kitchen, it is not advisable to deal with pantry moth infestations on your own. DIY chemical insecticide treatments can contaminate food and food prep surfaces in worse ways than the moths themselves, and should not be used. Additionally, while traps and attractants are available for moth control, these solutions are rarely effective in the long term. Many forms of trap only capture male pantry moths (despite claims to the contrary), allowing female moths to continue laying new eggs. Pantry moth larvae are also incredibly adept at remaining hidden, making frustrating reinfestation a probable scenario. For these reasons, we strongly advise contacting a pest control professional. Bug Zapper’s expert staff is trained to be as thorough as possible in their methods, and all of our moth removal procedures are backed by the same 100% satisfaction guarantee as all of our services, so you can put your reinfestation worries to rest and get to living bug free!
  
  While pantry moths should not be dealt with without the help of a professional, steps should still be taken to dispose of all affected food and to clean areas of the house where infestations are suspected to have occurred. Containers, countertops, cabinets and other kitchen areas should be vacuumed and disinfected thoroughly with soap and water. To prevent infestations, all food should be stored tightly in secure containers. Moths are capable of chewing through cardboard and light plastics, so containers made of glass, metal, ceramic, or hard plastic are ideal.

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  What types of training do your technicians go through?

  Bug Zapper is always committed to providing you with the best in pest control and removal services. All of our experienced technicians are fully licensed and certified in Oregon, in addition to undergoing advanced training though our rigorous internal apprenticeship program. All of our pest service technicians complete state testing for laws and safety, including IIHS General, IIHS Structural, and Agricultural Vertebrate tests before going through a month-long apprenticeship field training program. Our staff also regularly completes ongoing advanced training and attends industry-based seminars to stay current with the newest and best methods in pest control. We also have the honor of having an Associate Certified Entomologist (ACE) on our staff – one of only 12 currently operating in the state of Oregon.

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  Do you have same day service?

  Bug Zapper is known for our efficient, expert quality pest removal – and all of our technicians take pride in providing excellent customer care and rapid response times. We do everything we can to prioritize your needs and to offer same day appointments whenever we’re able. A pest service professional can be at your home in most cases within 24-48 hrs. Call our office and we will gladly work with what best fits your schedule to ensure a timely service appointment with incredible results – satisfaction guaranteed!