The Indian Meal Moth (IMM) Plodia interpunctella, can enter the home via a wide variety of foods and animal feeds. The IMM can be mistaken for a clothes moth as they are flying around as adults. The main distinction between the two is that the IMM has two toned wings unlike the clothes moth. Identification is important in determining a control program in the home.
Indian Meal Moths are common stored product pests typically found in homes and food processing institutions, grain storage and processing facilities. Careful examination of your foods brought into your home is key to look for IMM larva and the adult moths. The larvae usually feed on coarsely ground flour and meal, but commonly feed on whole grains, dried fruit, nuts, chocolate, beans, crackers, dehydrated dog food as well as red peppers. The larvae will spin cocoons after they have fed on a food product and will produce webbing over the surface of the materials on which they are feeding. They will pupate and become adults that will fly around in kitchens and throughout the home.
The experts at Poulin’s can provide you with the monitoring and control tools and programs to help rid your pantry, your kitchen, and any areas with grains, cereals or seeds storage areas. We will provide you with the information and know how to eliminate these difficult pests. All the best advice can be found at Poulin’s. Call or come and see us today for all your pest control needs.