Imagine that you open a bag of flour or pet food and suddenly, small moths fly out of it. You might even see worm-like larvae crawling inside. If this has happened with you, you might have a problem with Indian Meal Months (IMMs). These are common pests found in Denver kitchens and pantries, but they are not harmless.
These moths can quickly ruin any and every dry food item you own. Once they get inside your food, they can spread very fast and are often brought into your home via grocery packaging. They can also rapidly reproduce and multiply greatly before you know it.
Do not let these flying pests ruin your Denver pantry and stored goods. Stop the cycle now and contact saelapest.com today.
How IMMs Pose A Threat To Your Denver Pantry
Denver homes are actually perfect places for Indian Meal Moths. Denver’s high-altitude climate means people often store dry food for long periods. Flour, grains, rice, and pet food stay fresh for months on end. This gives the moth larvae plenty of time to eat and grow without being disturbed.
The real problem is not the small moth you see flying near your light fixture. The real issue is the larvae, which are tiny and very hard to spot. As soon as the adult moth lays eggs inside a food package, the larvae hatch and start eating immediately. They are attracted to all kinds of dry goods, including flour, cornmeal, cereal, rice, nuts, and even birdseed.
Many Denver homes also store large bags of pet food in the garage or basement. These quiet and warm areas become breeding grounds for the moths before they move into the kitchen cabinets.
What Do The Larvae Do?
The larvae are the most destructive stage of this pest. As they eat, they leave behind two clear signs of a severe infestation.
First, they spin thin webbing over the food they are consuming. This webbing often holds food particles together and might run along the inside seams of food containers. If you see this webbing or sticky clumps in your flour or rice, the food is contaminated.
Second, the larvae are mobile. They chew through thin plastic bags and cardboard and travel freely from the contaminated package to healthy and sealed food nearby. This means if one package has moths, everything close to it is likely at risk.
The larvae often leave the food entirely when they are ready to become moths. They crawl up walls and ceilings and look for a protected corner to spin a cocoon. This is when you usually notice them for the first time.
You might see them hanging from your ceiling near the kitchen. They often find a quiet spot high up inside a cabinet. This indicates that the breeding cycle inside your food is already well underway and spreading.
How To Get Rid Of Indian Meal Moths
Getting rid of Indian Meal Moths is mostly about cleaning and quarantine. You must find and remove every single contaminated food item.
Start by throwing away all contaminated food immediately and inspect every package in your pantry, not just the open ones. If you find any webbing, larvae, or moths, throw them outside in the trash right away.
After removing the infested food, you must clean the entire area. Larvae love to hide in these protected spots. After vacuuming, wipe all surfaces down with hot and soapy water.
Finally, it is important to separate any food that remains. Keep them in a new container and use glass or hard plastic material only.
Hire A Professional Pantry Protection Expert!
If you are a Denver homeowner, it might be impossible for you to find the hidden source. This is why it is recommended to trust Saela Pest Control in eliminating these stubborn pantry pests. They can deeply inspect your kitchen and storage areas and find all hidden larval spots.
Stop worrying about what is flying out of your flour. Get expert help from Saela Pest Control!
