Controlling Stored Product Pests

The Indian Meal Moth (Plodia interpunctella) is considered to be the most troublesome pest infesting stored products in the United States. They attack all cereal products, whole grains, dried fruits, pet foods, bird seed, dried milk and nuts.

Stored Product Pests

Since 1937 John B. Schmitt has accumulated a considerable amount of information on structural, household, and stored-product pests and methods for their control. He has rendered valuable service to pest control firms and the general public. Schools, fire houses, churches, and other public buildings suspected of termite damage have been examined and economical control procedures recommended. Before 1937 identifications of such household and other insects as were sent in by citizens of the state were made by Carl Ilg.

Since World War II, there has been an increasing public awareness to the whole problem of household insect control, influenced, doubtless, by the demonstrated effectiveness of DDT against bedbugs and other pests and of chlordane against cockroaches and ants. The present-day emphasis on housefly control has also been significant. There is more and more demand for fundamental research in the field. In the fall of 1955 Harold C. Chapman started work on a regional project on stored grain insects.

Get Rid of Pantry Bugs in Your Kitchen

Stored product pests (aka pantry pests) are insects that tend to gather around food often stored in pantries and cabinets, such as flour, dry cereals, spices, candies and chocolate. To learn how to prevent or get rid of pantry bugs, examine our Indian moth and grain beetle pest guides.

Habits

Indian meal moths like to feed on dried fruits, grains, seeds, nuts, chocolate, candies, bird seed, dog food, powdered milk, dried red peppers and candy.

Habitat

Attracted to the light, these bugs are found worldwide in areas where food is stored, such as grocery stores.

Threats

Indian meal moths infest foods and can contaminate food products.

Indian Meal Moth Prevention

Dried food products should be inspected thoroughly for signs of Indian meal moth infestations. Discard infested foods in outdoor trash bins. Clean infested cupboards thoroughly with a vacuum and soap and water. Store food in sealed containers.