How To Keep Pantry Moths Out Of Your Houston Home
Many factors make pest infestations disgusting. From how insects look to the germs they can sometimes spread, bug invasions are never pleasant to deal with. And one of the most off-putting things about many insects is finding them in food. You don't want to see crawling pests inside your pantry or cupboards, but this is precisely what pantry pests like Indian meal moths like to do. These pests, also known as pantry moths, are notorious for laying their eggs inside stored food products. There are ways to control and prevent pantry pests effectively. Find out how to keep pantry moths out of your home with a Houston pest control service.
What Do Indian Meal Moths Look Like In Houston?
The first thing you need to know about pantry moths is that they look different depending on where they are in their life cycle. As larvae, they are only about half an inch long and are wormlike in appearance. They are white with reddish-brown heads. The larvae will then turn into moths once they reach adulthood. These moths will have copper-reddish coloring on the outer part of their wings.
The adult moths will lay their eggs (the larvae) in stored food products in pantries. The larvae will then hatch and eat these food products to grow.
How Do Pantry Moths Get Into Houston Homes In The First Place?
When learning how to prevent pantry pests such as Indian meal moths, you first have to know how these infestations can start. The primary way pantry pests get inside homes is from items purchased at the grocery store that already contain larvae and eggs. These pests can enter food packaging in factories, and you could accidentally buy things that are already infested.
Secondly, Indian meal moths can invade your home when the adult moths fly in from the outdoors. The adult moths can get through broken screens or open doors and windows.
While it might seem challenging to deter Indian meal moths, you can follow some prevention tips to reduce the chances of an infection.
Helpful Pantry Moth Prevention Tips For Houston Homes
To keep Indian meal moths out of your home, our team at Modern Pest Control has compiled a list of effective steps to follow. These tips can also help prevent pantry pests of various species.
Here is what you can do:
Inspect food packaging, especially dry items like grains and cereals, for signs of pests. Look for small webs or a powdery appearance.
Regularly rotate your stock of food items in pantries and cupboards so that older items are used first.
Keep adult moths from getting inside your house by repairing broken screens and installing door sweeps and weather stripping.
Pantry pests are attracted to light. Make sure to turn off lights when not in use.
These measures can make pantry moth infestations less likely, but if you do end up with an infestation, don't worry. Our pest control experts at Modern Pest Control provide Indian meal moth eradication services.
The Best Way To Get Rid Of Indian Meal Moths In Your Houston Home
Luckily, while Indian meal moths aren't fun to encounter, they aren't known to spread diseases. They are mainly nuisance pests, but they can be tricky to eradicate. Give Modern Pest Control a call if you need assistance with an Indian meal moth infestation. With over sixty-five years of pest control experience, we can remove the problem with our pest control plans and assist in future prevention efforts. Request a free inspection today!