ACT Environmental Auth No: 0619 Lic No: 5084551
Termite Accred No: 5387
Also known as Mediterranean flour moth; miller moth; seed moth; grain moth; or Indian meal moth, pantry moths can significantly damage stored food in your home. The infestation can be characterised by rice that appears to be moving, webbing at the edge or corners of food packaging, or clumps in flour. Here’s are four things you need to know about pantry moths.
1. How do pantry moths enter the house?
Pantry moths can come through;
• Open windows and doors
• The opening where cables pass through walls, plumbing lines, and dryer vents
• Packaged contaminated food from a warehouse
2. Why do they infest homes?
Pantry moths are usually in search of a safe place where they will lay their eggs and increase their offspring's chances of survival. Unfortunately, places with an abundant supply of food seem to offer the ideal reproductive environment for pantry moths.
3. Pantry moth’s life cycle
Egg
• Whitish grey in colour
• A female moth can lay up to 400 eggs in one go
• The eggs can hatch in 7 days
Larva
• They usually cause damage at this stage
• Their colour depends on the food they eat
• They also leave behind casings and waste, which contaminates food rendering it unusable
• This stage lasts between 2-3 months
Pupa
• They are usually in cocoons and hide in crevices, corners, or cracks
• They can also be buried beneath the food, causing clumps and matted webs
• In 15-20 days, the pupa may develop into an adult moth
Adult
• They cannot eat because they lack working mouthparts, and all they can do is reproduce
• At this stage, they fly around a light source in search of a mate to breed with
• Flying moths are a major sign of infestation, which lasts 1-2 weeks
4. Are they harmful?
While pantry moths are not known to cause any diseases, they can seriously contaminate food. This can be an unsettling sight to see and can cost you some money to replace to foodstuff. Additionally, the webbing created can damage equipment in the household.
A1 PROFESSIONAL Pest Control can handle all your A1 pest control needs in Canberra, Gungahlin, and Belconnen. Call us today, and we will secure your home from pests.
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Contact information
Phone: (02) 6278 5858
Mobile: 0415 915 259
Licence# 5084551
Termite Accreditation# 5387