What are Indian Meal Moths?

Indian Meal Moths are one of the most common pantry pests found in homes and food storage facilities. Adults are small moths with reddish-brown wings that are easy to spot once they start flying around kitchens or pantries. The true damage, however, comes from their larvae, which feed on stored grains, cereals, flour, nuts, dried fruit, pet food, and other pantry staples. These pests reproduce quickly, making infestations difficult to control once established.

Signs of Indian Meal Moth Infestation

• Small moths flying around your kitchen or pantry
• Webbing inside food packages or on pantry shelves
• Tiny larvae (cream-colored worms with brown heads) inside stored food
• Unpleasant odors coming from contaminated products
• Adult moths clustering around lights or ceilings near the kitchen

Why They are a Problem

Indian Meal Moths contaminate food with their larvae, webbing, and droppings. Infested products must be discarded, leading to food waste and financial loss. They can infest homes, restaurants, warehouses, and grocery stores, making them a serious concern for both residential and commercial properties. Since they multiply rapidly, a small problem can turn into a large infestation in just a few weeks.

Where Do They Come From?

Indian Meal Moths often enter homes through contaminated packaged food brought from stores. They can also sneak in through small cracks, open windows, or doors. Common attractants include:

• Open or poorly sealed food containers
• Bulk grains and cereals
• Pet food stored indoors or in garages
• Bird seed or dry animal feed
• Dried fruits, nuts, and spices

How to Get Rid of Indian Meal Moths at Home

If you are searching for how to get rid of Indian Meal Moths, try these steps:

• Inspect all dry food products and discard any infested packages
• Store grains, cereals, and pet food in airtight containers
• Vacuum pantry shelves thoroughly to remove eggs and larvae
• Wash shelves with warm, soapy water to eliminate webbing
• Use pheromone traps to capture adult moths and monitor activity

These steps can help reduce the infestation, but they may not completely eliminate the problem if eggs or larvae remain hidden.

Indian Meal Moths vs Clothes Moths

Indian Meal Moths are often confused with clothes moths, but they are very different pests:

• Indian Meal Moths infest stored food, while clothes moths target fabrics such as wool, silk, and fur
• Indian Meal Moths are reddish-brown with a distinctive two-toned wing pattern, while clothes moths are usually plain beige or gold
• The presence of webbing and larvae in food is a strong indicator of Indian Meal Moths rather than clothes moths

How We Can Help

At Go Away Pest & Wildlife Control, we specialize in identifying and eliminating pantry pests like Indian Meal Moths. Our team locates the source of the infestation, removes contaminated materials, and applies safe, effective treatments to prevent re-infestation. We also provide guidance on long-term prevention so your pantry and food storage areas remain clean and pest-free. Whether you are a homeowner dealing with contaminated cereals or a business managing large storage facilities, we can help protect your food supply.