How to Get Rid of Indian Meal Moths in Your Kitchen (Simple Guide)

Indian meal moths (Plodia interpunctella) are one of the most common pests found in kitchens. People also call them pantry moths or food moths. They are small, but they can ruin your food and make your kitchen feel dirty. In this article, we’ll show you how to get rid of them.

What Are Indian Meal Moths

Indian meal moths are small flying insects like butterflies, about 8–10 mm long. Their wings are gray at the base and coppery brown at the tips. The larvae (small worms) are white or pinkish and live inside dry foods. Adult moths do not eat — only the larvae damage your food.

These pests are commonly found in homes, especially in dry food storage. According to Penn State Extension, adult moths do not feed — only the larvae damage the food by spinning webbing and feeding on grains, nuts, and other products.

They lay eggs in stored food. The eggs hatch into larvae, which eat the food and spin webs. You may see small white worms or silky threads in your rice, flour, nuts, or pet food.

Signs You Have Indian Meal Moths

• Moths flying around your kitchen, mostly at night
• Webbing or clumps in flour, cereals, and grains
• Small white larvae inside food
• Small cocoons on ceilings or in corners of cabinets
• Bad smell in old food

How to Get Rid of Indian Meal Moths

1. Empty All Cabinets and Drawers

Take everything out from your pantry and food storage areas. Check every package carefully.

2. Throw Away All Infested Food

If you see webbing, larvae, or a bad smell, throw the food away immediately. Place it in a sealed bag and remove it from your home. Do not try to clean or salvage contaminated food — it is not safe to eat.

If some packages appear clean and fully sealed, you can choose to keep them temporarily. Place them in airtight glass or hard plastic containers and monitor them closely. Keep these separate from other food.

Be aware, though: larvae can sometimes chew through thin plastic or cardboard packaging and enter from the outside. A package may look fine but still be infested. When in doubt, it’s safer to discard it.

As an extra precaution, you can place any suspect package in the freezer for 4–5 days. This will kill any hidden eggs or larvae that may be inside, even if you can’t see them.

3. Vacuum Every Corner

Use a vacuum cleaner to remove any food dust, debris, or insect eggs from all shelves, corners, and cracks. Pay special attention to hinges, screw holes, and cabinet edges — moth eggs and larvae often hide in these tiny spaces.

After vacuuming, remove the vacuum bag (or empty the canister), place the contents in a tightly sealed bag, and immediately throw it away outside your home. Do not leave it inside, as it may contain live eggs or larvae that could re-infest your kitchen.

4. Wash With Soap and Vinegar

Wash all surfaces inside and around the cupboards, especialy where the food is stored, using hot water and dish soap. Scrub thoroughly to remove any food residue or insect traces. After cleaning, spray the area with a 50/50 mixture of white vinegar and water. This helps to disinfect and repel pests.

Optionally, you can add a few drops of peppermint or eucalyptus essential oil to the vinegar solution. These natural scents may help deter adult moths from returning.

5. Seal Cracks and Gaps

Moths can hide and lay eggs in small spaces. Seal cracks in walls, cabinets, and shelves with caulk or filler.

6. Use Airtight Food Containers

Transfer all dry food (flour, rice, pasta, etc.) to sealed plastic or glass containers. Do not use paper, cardboard, or thin plastic bags — moths can chew through them.

7. Set Traps

Use pheromone traps to catch adult male moths. These sticky traps release a special scent that attracts the males, disrupting their mating cycle and helping to reduce the population over time.

However, traps are more useful for monitoring than for fully eliminating the problem. Be careful not to place too many traps all over the kitchen — you might accidentally attract moths from outside the house.

It's best to use just one or two traps, placed at some distance from windows and doors, and in a way that the scent cannot easily escape outdoors. Avoid placing them near open windows or vents.

If the traps confirm an active infestation, proceed to remove all food items and clean thoroughly, following the steps described above.

8. Clean Regularly

Wipe your shelves weekly. Keep the pantry dry and well-ventilated. Do not keep old food for too long.

9. Check Other Areas Too

Indian meal moths can also be found in pet food, birdseed, chocolate, and dried fruit. Check storage rooms, basements, or garages if you store food there.

Natural Remedies (Optional)

These natural methods are not strong enough to eliminate an infestation on their own, but they may help slightly after deep cleaning. Think of them as supporting tools — not solutions.

• Bay leaves: Some people place them inside containers or on pantry shelves. The smell may mildly repel adult moths, but the effect is very limited.

• Lavender sachets: Often used as a natural repellent. They may discourage moths from settling in specific areas, but do not stop an active infestation.

• Freezing: This is the only method in this list with proven results. Place questionable food items in the freezer for 3–5 days at -18°C (0°F) to kill eggs and larvae.

If you choose to use herbs or essential oils, do so only as a complement to proper cleaning, sealing, and food safety practices.

Still Seeing Moths?

• Clean again — you may have missed some eggs or larvae.
• Replace old traps every 3–4 weeks.
• Keep checking all food for signs of infestation.
• If the problem continues, consider calling a pest control expert.

What NOT to Do

• Do not use bug spray near food. It is unsafe.
• Do not ignore the problem. It will get worse.
• Do not keep food in open or soft packaging.

How to Prevent Indian Meal Moths

• Always use airtight containers for dry food
• Check new groceries before storing them
• Do not keep dry food for more than a few months
• Clean and inspect your pantry every 2–3 months
• Use pheromone traps regularly to monitor for new activity

Foods at Highest Risk

Be careful with:

• Flour, cornmeal, oats
• Rice, pasta, cereals
• Dried fruits and nuts
• Dog and cat food
• Spices and herbs

Should You Call a Professional?

If you keep seeing moths even after deep cleaning, or if they spread to other rooms, it may be time to call a licensed pest control company. A professional can:

• Find all the hidden sources
• Use safe and approved methods
• Treat cracks, gaps, and hard-to-reach spots
• Give long-term prevention advice

Final Thoughts

Getting rid of Indian meal moths takes time and effort, but it is possible. If you clean thoroughly, store food properly, and stay alert, you can protect your kitchen and your food.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. Pest control laws and approved chemicals vary by country. For best results and legal safety, we strongly recommend contacting a licensed pest control professional in your local area. Always make sure that the pest control technician is properly certified or licensed, depending on your country’s regulations. It’s important to confirm that they only use approved products and apply them exactly as instructed on the product label. In most places in Europe, UK, or USA, following label directions is not just best practice — it’s the law.

Curious about other pests invading your home? Visit Advance PestX and discover more reliable tips and insights.