Finding a moth in the wild can be magical. There are many beautiful moths in the world. Some are bright and colorful. Others have incredible, furry forms that can make you pause in wonder and fascination. But finding a moth inside your Auburn home is anything but magical. Moths can infest your foods and damage your belongings. Let's take a closer look at these two pest moths.
Indian Meal Moths
These are the moths that get into your food. They lay their eggs in pantry products, such as grains, flours, cereals, seeds, powdered milk, dried fruit, dried foods, candy, and more. If you find one of these moths in your pantry, it is a warning sign that your food is infested.
Identification: An adult Indian meal moth is about ⅝ of an inch long. It is a rust color with a tan band through the center.
Prevention
- Inspect items at the store and don't purchase items that have holes or that have been damaged.
- Don't purchase items that are past their due date.
- Put pantry items inside sealed glass or plastic containers if you can.
- If you don't keep your items in sealed containers, put new items to the back and older items to the front.
- Check your due dates routinely to make sure you don't have any past due items on your shelves.
Clothes Moths
These are the moths that damage your belongings. We have two primary species that do this. They are casemaking clothes moths and webbing clothes moths. You'll find these moths skipping around near the floor and hiding in dark places, such as in closets and attics. A female clothes moth will be loaded down by her eggs and will eventually stop flying. You'll find her hiding in cracks and crevices in dark, undisturbed areas of your home.
Identification: These moths are about ½ an inch long. Depending on the species, they will be beige or buff in coloration.
Prevention
- Do a detailed inspection of your exterior and seal any potential entry points that are near the ground.
- Pay close attention to exterior doors and windows. Homes that have gaps are more likely to have clothes moth infestations.
- Store fabrics in plastic totes.
- Address areas of humidity in your home by installing dehumidifiers.
- Do a routine inspection of the clothes in your closet to catch these moths early.
Indian Meal Moth Control
When Indian meal moths get into your home and begin to cause trouble, it is often prudent to contact a licensed pest professional to have the infestation properly addressed. There are some obvious instances where a professional is not needed. As an example, If you store your foods in sealed glass containers and you find pantry pests have hitchhiked into your home, you can dispose of the product outside, clean the container, and your infestation is gone. It is as simple as that. If you don't use containers, Indian meal moths can spread from package to package. Plus, the adult moths may lay eggs around food sources, so it won't be enough to just inspect your foods and throw items out. When an infestation is not contained, it is best to have a professional address the infestation.
Clothes Moth Control
When clothes moths get into your home, there is no situation where it is not best to have a licensed pest professional deal with your problem, but you are not without options. Dry cleaning and running clothing items through a hot dryer for 30 minutes can eliminate the larvae of these insects. When combined with routine vacuuming, you may arrest a small infestation. But a small infestation can grow into a large, widespread infestation. The best way to protect your fabrics, and other sensitive items, from damage, is to hire a pest professional.
Get Help
If you have questions about pest moths, or you're currently dealing with a moth problem in your Auburn home, remember that the team at Prewett Pest Control is available to answer your questions and steer you toward a solution that is best for your specific needs and budget. Reach out to us today and schedule a visit from one of our licensed and experienced service professionals.