Grain Moth

Category:

Actual Size: .5 – .63” long

Characteristics: Cream colored wings with brown or reddish markings. Unique mottling compared to other moths.

Legs: Eight

Antennae: Yes

Wings: Small wings

Habitat: Inside grains and other dried foodstuffs

Habits:

  • A specific name for “common pantry moths”
  • Some varieties are rarer than others, but they’re found across the United States
  • Females can lay hundreds of eggs at a time.

Grain Moths on Long Island

When we talk about grain moths, we’re actually referring to a variety of moths that target the dry goods in pantries across Suffolk County & Nassau County. Unlike other pests, they don’t bite, sting or spread disease – but that doesn’t mean they’re harmless. Grain moths feed on stored food, everything from flour and cereal, to dried fruits and pet food. So, while they won’t hurt you, they can cause a lot of problems.

Grain Moth Habitat

Grain moths are found across the globe, and no one is entirely certain of their exact country of origin. They can fly in from the outdoors, but in many cases they infest a home when consumers buy food products already infested with their eggs. If gone unnoticed, they then hatch over the course of weeks or months, and once they do, the larvae feast on the food that surrounds them.

Grain Moth Behaviors, Threats or Dangers

When it comes to extermination, you can’t handle grain moths as you would other pests. Since they occupy your food supply, it isn’t an option to treat them with pesticides or other chemicals. All you can really do is find the source of the infestation and dispose of the contaminated food. From that point on we suggest thoroughly cleaning the inside of your pantry and storing your food in sealed and airtight containers.

If you are dealing with Grain Moths on your property, contact your local exterminators.