Pantry Pest

Indian Meal Moth Control

Pantry pest that infests stored food products and grains, contaminating cereals, nuts, and dried goods throughout Chicagoland homes and businesses.

Wingspan

5/8 inch (16mm)

Wing Colors

Bronze-copper & pale gray

Habitat

Stored food products

Threat Level

High - Food Contamination

Brown cloth moth isolated on white background macro photography
25-30
Days Lifecycle

Indian Meal Moth Identification & Damage

Learn to identify these common pantry pests and understand the extent of food contamination they can cause.

Adult Moth Features

  • 5/8 inch wingspan (16mm)
  • Two-toned wing coloration
  • Bronze-copper outer wing section
  • Pale gray inner wing section
  • Dark band separating wing colors

Larvae (The Damage Stage)

  • 1/2 inch long when mature
  • Pinkish to greenish-white color
  • Brown head capsule
  • Create webbing in food
  • Leave behind silk trails

Signs of Infestation

  • Adult moths flying in kitchen
  • Webbing in stored food products
  • Larvae crawling in pantry areas
  • Cocoons on package corners
  • Clumped or contaminated food

Commonly Infested Foods

Primary Targets:

Cereals
Granola
Nuts & seeds
Dried fruits
Pet food
Bird seed
Flour & grains
Chocolate

Food Safety Warning: Once infested, entire food packages must be discarded. The webbing and larvae contaminate the entire product, making it unsafe for consumption.

Elimination Process

1 Locate & Remove Infested Items

  • • Inspect all stored food products
  • • Look for webbing and larvae
  • • Discard all infested items
  • • Check adjacent packages

2 Deep Clean Pantry Areas

  • • Vacuum all cracks and crevices
  • • Wash shelves with warm soapy water
  • • Clean behind and under appliances
  • • Remove all food debris

3 Prevention Measures

  • • Use airtight storage containers
  • • Regularly inspect new purchases
  • • Store items in cool, dry areas
  • • Consider freezing new products

Professional Pantry Pest Elimination

Persistent Indian meal moth infestations require professional expertise to locate all sources and prevent re-infestation in your Chicagoland property.

Complete Inspection

We locate all infestation sources including hidden areas

Safe Treatment

Food-safe treatments targeting moths and larvae

Prevention Plan

Long-term strategies to prevent re-infestation