Meal/Pantry Moth Facts & Control Solutions

Meal moths can be found in a variety of areas where food is stored. Besides, your home kitchen, these pests may be found in grocery stores and restaurants.

Using an effective pantry moth trap such as the ever popular Safer^® Brand The Pantry Pest^® trap breaks the breeding cycle, and can rid your pantry of these harmful pests! Effective moth control begins with Safer^® Brand pantry moth traps.

So... What's a Meal Moth?

Meal moth larvae can cause considerable damage in your kitchen, as well as grocery stores, food mills, restaurants, and other food processing plants.

The adult meal moth is about 3/8" in length and has a brownish-red body with wings tipped in bronze. The larvae and eggs are both an off-white color.

Reproduction Patterns of Meal Moths

The life cycle of the meal moth can vary greatly in its length, depending on temperature and environmental conditions, and can range anywhere from a few weeks up to 3/4 of a year or more.

Adult female moths will deposit up to 300 eggs in or near food products so that when the eggs hatch, the emerging larvae will have food. Each larva will create a tunnel with its silk and droppings.

It will feed for up to 6 weeks on food products before crawling off to pupate in a crack or along the edge of a ceiling or cupboard. It will then construct a cocoon, pupate, and emerge as an adult winged moth ready to mate and lay eggs (the adult moth usually dies about a week later) and the cycle continues.

If conditions are ideal, there can be up to 5 generations in a year.

Meal Moth's Habitat

Meal moths may enter a home by flying through an open window, open door or hole in a screen.

The most common method of entry for a meal moth, however, is by hitching a ride in packaged foods and groceries.

Once there, the larvae feast on grain products, seeds, dried fruits, animal’s foods and many other consumables. Meal Moths can be extremely difficult to get rid of. Using a pantry moth trap such as the Safer^® Brand The Pantry Pest^® trap can keep your pantry and food supply free from moths and provide you effective moth control.

Natural & Organic Controls

What?

Moth traps such as the Safer^® Brand The Pantry Pest^® trap can help in controlling meal moths. Synthetic insecticides are not recommended because of the dangers that could result from contact with foods. Using organic pesticides such as Safer^® Brand Flying Insect Killer used in conjunction with a pantry moth trap can provide you effective moth control.

How?

Safer^® Brand The Pantry Pest traps can be used to alert you to moth problems and to monitor the level of infestation. Male meal moths are attracted to the pheromone and enter the pantry moth trap where it is caught and cannot escape.

The Safer^® Brand The Pantry Pest^® trap should be placed near the ceiling or area where the meal moths fly. Carefully read and follow all instructions completely for safe and effective use.

When?

At the first sign of an infestation, place a Safer^® Brand The Pantry Pest^® in the home to monitor the level of infestation. Remember for every one male meal moth caught in the trap, seven others have avoided it.

Why Choose a Natural Solution?

Natural solutions break down quickly to their natural elements. They are preferable to chemical pesticides that leave residuals where they are sprayed causing long-term detrimental effects on the environment.