What is a Meal Moth?

The meal moth is a small moth, averaging 3/8 of an inch (.95 centimeters) long and having a wing span of 5/8 of an inch (1.59 centimeters), that nests in areas where stored foods are kept. Once the nest has been formed and the larvae begin to grow, irreversible damage is done to the edible products. The most common stored foods that are ruined are cereals and grains, but these moths have also been found to destroy dog food, cat food, grains, and even bird seed. The meal moth goes by numerous different names, but they are all the same species.

The most common name for the meal moth is the Indian meal moth. Various other forms of the name have been adopted throughout the world, such as flour moths and pantry moths. The name used does not really matter, because it is one and the same. The meal moth can easily be identified by the color and size. The base color of this moth is light yellow, while the upper portion of the wings are rust brown or copper. The final color mark that can make recognition easy is the dark band that separates the head from the body.

The stored food that these insects nest in, whether in large amounts or in a small basement or pantry, will be made inedible by the larvae. As the meal moth larvae grow, they emit a silky web that will wrap around the food, as well as any thing else that is around the area. This webbing makes the food unsightly, which in itself makes the food inedible. If the larvae are left unchecked to grow and breed, the food will actually begin to rot because it will not get the proper amounts of nutrients that they require.

Prevention, when it comes to a meal moth infestation, begins with cleanliness. Areas that have been overrun with these insects need to be immediately cleaned with warm, soapy water. The food that has been infected needs to be thrown out, and the area thoroughly checked for signs of larva. In extreme cases, chemicals can be used to kill the moth and its larvae, but this is usually used as a last option. The best way to prevent this type of problem is to keep food stored in sealed containers, throw out garbage immediately, and diligently clean where food and food particles are commonly found.