Everything Frisco Homeowners Need to Know to Keep Pantry Moths Out

There are around 160,000 species of moths in the world and one of them likes living in your pantry so much that it has earned the name of pantry moth. While it is certainly not the only moth that can get into a pantry, it is a moth you should learn as much as you can about. If you don't, you could find yourself eating some very unsavory meals. Here's what you need to know about pantry moths, also known as Indian meal moths.

What Is an Indian Meal Moth?

The insect known as the Indian meal moth or pantry moth, earned both of these names. As a pantry moth, it is exceptionally good at getting into stored food products that you put in your pantry. It gets its Indian meal moth name from its particular interest in cornmeal. At the time it was named, cornmeal was more commonly referred to as Indian meal. You'll find these moths living in and around a variety of processed foods, grains, cereals, nuts, dried fruit, dog food, spices, seeds, and, of course, cornmeal. It's a-maize-ing how much these moths love cornmeal. Sorry. We just had to.

Identification of Indian Meal Moths

• Indian meal moths are only about ⅝ of an inch in length. That's really small. So don't be surprised if you don't notice them clinging to the walls or shelves where food is stored.
• Indian meal moths are a rust color with a tan band in the center. There is also a thin, black band of color that divides the rusty brown from the tan.
• Indian meal moths pass through seven larval instars before they become pupae, and ultimately emerge as moths. In the larval stage, they are worm-like caterpillars that resemble grubs. These wormy critters infest food and take on the color of the food they're eating. If they're in brown rice, they'll be brown. If they are in white rice, they'll be white. This makes them difficult to detect.
• You may see Indian meal moths in their pupae stage. If you do, you're likely to see webbing. This may be encased around the pupae, or clinging between food particles.