Many Cape Cod pests threaten the health and safety of residents by causing damage and spreading illnesses. While pantry moths don't cause these issues, they contaminate and spoil your dry food, requiring replacements. Additionally, their tiny sizes and ability to replicate allow them to invade multiple food packages.
Since these intruders can quickly spread through pantries and cupboards, preventing them from invading your house will help your food remain fresh. Professional pantry pest control in Cape Cod can remove these creatures and avoid future issues. Read further to learn about pantry moths and how the experts can protect your food.
What Are Indian Meal Moths?
Numerous pantry moths infest Cape Cod homes, but Indian meal moths are the most common. These pests infest kitchens and cupboards to feed on stored food, destroying and spoiling sizable portions. They replicate in your pantries, chewing through plastic and cardboard packaging.
The life cycle of Indian meal moths lasts between 27 and 305 days. It begins with the females mating and laying up to 400 eggs singly or in clusters. Eggs hatch in three to four days if it's around 86°F and seven to eight days if it's closer to 68°F.
After hatching, the pantry moth larvae last between six and eight weeks. The larvae are half an inch long and whitish with brown heads. Next is the pupal stage, which lasts seven or eight days if it's around 86°F and 15 to 20 days if it's around 68°F. The final stage is adulthood, with moths growing to be 1/2 an inch long with a 5/8 inch wingspan. As adults, moths are gray and reddish brown.
Are Pantry Moths Harmful? Health Risks And Concerns
Despite infesting food, pantry moths are relatively harmless because they don't spread illnesses to people. However, they can cause problems when they infest your kitchen. Some of the concerns about pantry moths in your Cape Cod home include:
- Spoiling your dry food.
- Spreading to other items.
- Layingpantry moth eggs near food supplies.
- Forcing the disposal of infested items.
These pests aren't the biggest concerns for residents because they don't present health threats or structural issues. But since they can cause your food to spoil and spread to numerous items, they're best left outside your home.
Can Pantry Moths Eat Through Plastic?
Pantry moths often infest packages before entering homes. They penetrate the items in storage spaces, and most residents don't realize they're present until they return home. While your pantry moth infestation might be limited to one package, these creatures can chew through thin plastic bags and cardboard, enabling them to enter unopened parcels.
Since these tiny pests are hard to see, you might notice signs of their presence rather than the insects themselves. Common signs of pantry moths in your Cape Cod kitchen include:
- Small holes in food packages
- Fecal pellets
- Eggshells
- Cast skins
Pantry moths can infest multiple packages when they enter your pantry or cupboard. Signs of one intrusion mean they've likely contaminated others. Inspecting nearby packages and vacuuming the space will ensure your kitchen is free of these creatures.
Sealing The Deal: How To Properly Store Food To Deter Pantry Moths
Pantry moths are common problems because they can chew through thin plastic and cardboard. Fortunately, they can't infiltrate solid containers, so there are ways to limit the damage. Tips to properly store your food and deter pantry moths include:
- Move dry food to solid containers.
- Store dry food in air-tight bins.
- Avoid containers with twist-on lids.
- Clean out containers with soap and water.
It's difficult to tell whether these creatures have spread to other items, but the pantry moth control professionals at Big Blue Bug Solutions can protect your Cape Cod kitchen. We'll inspect your pantries and cupboards for possible infestations, remove intruders, and educate you on preventing future problems. Call us if pantry moths get into your Cape Cod home.