Indian meal moth infestations can develop in homes and business, however for food storage facilities this particular type of stored product pest is more common and often the result of mass wasted food and grains in food processing or food storage facilities. For warehouse managers in Seattle, Salt Lake City, Portland and the Pacific Northwest, Indian meal moths can wreak havoc, which is why it is important to identify the signs of these pests, how to get rid of them, and how to prevent them in the future.
Indian meal moths are most attracted to dried fruits, nuts, grains and birdseed. They are easily identified because as adults they fly and they produce webbing in the products that they infest. It is important to note that it is not the adults (the moths) that are to blame for eating the food. It is the larvae that feed on stored products, which is why the moths will lay their eggs in or near such sources of food. You can see how the cycle will quickly yield a major infestation.
Of all the foods that Indian meal moths may infest, it is usually those foods that have been on the shelves longer that are at the highest risk. Any items that are loosely sealed or in a thin wrapping are also going to be at a higher risk of containing stored product pests. If you do happen to notice that products in your warehouse are infested with Indian meal moths, it is very important to contact a pest control professional right away. Due to the fact that there could be mass contaminated food with both adult moths and larvae, a professional inspection will be necessary.
If you do not currently have a problem with Indian meal moths and would like to keep it that way, here are a few prevention tips:
Keep food storage facilities and warehouses cool to deter Indian meal moths. Rather than 90 degrees Fahrenheit (ideal temp for an infestation), keep the facility around 60 degrees Fahrenheit to prevent Indian meal moths as well as other stored product pests.
Practice strict sanitation policies to help deter pest activity in the warehouse.
Always rotate products so that the first in are the first out.
In addition to these pest prevention tips, our team at Sprague Pest Solutions also recommends signing up for commercial pest control services if you have not already. Our BrandSmartTM Pest Advantage program will help protect your food processing or food storage facility in Portland, Seattle and surrounding service areas, from the threat of Indian meal moths and other stored product pests.