Adult Indian meal moths can be up to five-eighths of an inch long, with a wingspan of about three-fourths of an inch. Their forewings are reddish-brown with a coppery sheen on the outer two-thirds and gray on the inner third. At rest, they hold their wings over their body in a roof-like position.
What You Can Do
Controlling Indian Meal moths starts with a careful inspection to identify all the infestation’s food sources. Pay particular attention to items that have remained in the cupboard for long periods or foods that are loosely sealed or are in thin wrapping. Some additional ways of handling these pests include:
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Inspection: Empty cabinets and pantries and check inside every food package. Get rid of any food that is infested. When looking for Indian Meal moths, do not forget to look in dried plant and dried flower wreath arrangements.
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Thorough Cleanup: Use a vacuum to remove spilled food and insects from the empty shelves while paying close attention to the cracks and gaps between shelves and cabinet walls. Cleaning with soap and water is also needed.
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Seal Holes: Any holes should be sealed. Remember that the larvae leave the food to change into adults. It is important to check the walls and ceiling in the pantry and the nearby area for crawling larvae. Larvae and pupae can be in cracks, behind appliances and even behind picture frames on the wall.
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Proper Storage: Store food products in sealed glass or plastic containers to prevent a re-infestation. If pet food or animal feed is stored in the garage or shed, check it too, since this often is a source of the infestation. Keep these products in tightly sealed containers. Also, food may be stored in the refrigerator.
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Indian meal moth
Angoumois grain moth
Description
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Adults are smaller than other stored-product moths.
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Adults have strongly curved labial palps and are pale grayish brown with a wingspan of 12 to 14 mm.
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Fresh specimens have a single black dot on the centre of each front wing, approximately two-thirds from the wing base.
Commodities affected
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Wheat, barley, corn, rice, sorghum, millet
Signs of infestation
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As larvae develop within the grain kernel, damage is not readily apparent.
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Heating of grain may be an indication of presence.
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Presence of adults flying nearby is an indication of infestation.
Damage
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Larval feeding produces large cavities within infested grain.
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Does not bind grain with silks as many moths do.
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Infestations produce abundant heat and moisture that may encourage mould growth and attract secondary pests.
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Adults do not feed on commodity.
Casemaking clothes moth
Webbing clothes moth
Adult webbing and casemaking moths are about 1/4 inch long and have a wingspan of about 1/2 inch. The body of the webbing clothes moth is golden or buff-colored with a satiny sheen and the head has a tuft of reddish hairs.1 The casemaking moth is browner in color, usually with 3 dark spots on the wings (although on older moths these may be rubbed off), and light colored hairs on its head.
The eggs of both species are tiny, less than 1/24 of an inch (1 mm) long.The caterpillars (larvae) have white or cream bodies and brown to black heads and are about 1/2 inch long when fully grown.
Webbing clothes moth caterpillars spin silken tunnels or mats that they usually hide under while they feed. Casemaking moth caterpillars spin a cigar-shaped case around themselves that they always carry with them as they feed. The cases can be difficult to see because they take on color of the materials being consumed.
What Arch Pest Services Do
Your Arch Pest technician is trained to help manage moths and similar pests. Since every building or home is different, your Arch Pest technician will design a unique moth treatment program for your situation.
Arch Pest Services can provide the right solution to keep moths in their place…out of your home, or business.
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Creation by Mark Halleman
Arch Pest Services The Bug Man.
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