Food Moths
Plodia interpunctella
General Information
Seeing food moths eating or laying eggs on stored foods like rice and flour can make you lose your appetite fast. You can help safeguard your family’s food by learning more about these uninvited dinner guests and finding tips for how to help get rid of moths in the kitchen.
- Because these pests eat a variety of food items, they are known by many names, including food moth, pantry moth, cabbage moth, grain moth, rice moth, flour moth, and Indian meal moth.
- Most food moths are quite small, with approximately a 1/2-inch wingspan.
- Often, you will see pantry moths in the house, flitting about the kitchen or pantry before you find the infested food item.
Size
Color
Bite or Sting
Wings
Commonly mistaken for
Additional details
- These moths will often infest stored foods and are commonly found in the kitchen or pantry.
- Pantry moths can come inside the house in search of food, but more often they are brought into the home on food that is already infested.
- Their meals include items like rice, grain, flour, spices, cereals, grits, cake mixes, and pet food.
- Moths consume and contaminate many food items in the pantry, which can be a hassle and expense to replace.
- Some food moths are a major agricultural concern in certain areas where raw grains are stored.
- Vacuum shelves and cabinets where food is stored to pick up loose/spilled material.
- To identify the food that is infested, look for webbing laid down by the pantry moth larvae as they feed on the food. Adult moths will also be seen here.
- Regularly inspect all susceptible foods and discard infested items when found.
- Store all food items in containers with air-tight seals.
Solutions for Food Moths
Raid® Essentials Multi Insect Killer is designed to kill flying and crawling insects on contact. Its water-based, odourless formula delivers effective pest control without the irritating smell of kerosene or leaving an oily film, making it suitable for use in and around the home. Designed for use across multiple surfaces including carpets, draperies, no-wax floors, and outdoor areas such as gardens, terraces, and backyards, providing versatile insect control for everyday use.
Highlights
- Kills flying and crawling insects on contact.
- Water-based formulation.
- Odourless with no irritating kerosene smell.
- Leaves no oily film.
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
- May be sprayed onto plants and flowers; avoid over-saturation and test on a leaf first
Raid® Essentials Multi Insect Killer is designed to kill flying and crawling insects on contact. Its water-based, odourless formula delivers effective pest control without the irritating smell of kerosene or leaving an oily film, making it suitable for use in and around the home. Designed for use across multiple surfaces including carpets, draperies, no-wax floors, and outdoor areas such as gardens, terraces, and backyards, providing versatile insect control for everyday use.
Highlights
- Kills flying and crawling insects on contact.
- Water-based formulation.
- Odourless with no irritating kerosene smell.
- Leaves no oily film.
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use.
- May be sprayed onto plants and flowers; avoid over-saturation and test on a leaf first
Raid® Extra Multi Insect Killer Lavender kills flying and crawling insects fast. Its low odour formulation with lavender scent makes it suitable for use in and around the home while providing effective insect control. A dual-purpose aerosol designed for use across multiple environments, including indoor areas and outdoor spaces such as patios, gardens, and picnic areas.
Highlights
- Fast killing action, even with one direct spray
- Kills flying and crawling insects
- Low odour formula with lavender scent
- Suitable for indoor and outdoor use
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