Why Are Bugs in Your Cereal
- 4 days ago
- 3 min read
You open your pantry to grab some cereal, rice, or flour—and a small moth flutters out. Gross, right? That’s an Indian meal moth, one of the most common pantry pests in Southern California homes, especially in Rialto and Fontana. Once they move in, they multiply fast, and before you know it, you’re throwing out half your groceries.
Let’s talk about what Indian meal moths do, how they get into your food, and how to get rid of them before they turn your pantry into their home.
What Indian Meal Moths Do in Your Pantry
Indian meal moths are food pests. Their larvae—the tiny caterpillars—feed on dry goods like:
Cereal and oatmeal
Rice, flour, and cornmeal
Pet food and bird seed
Nuts, dried fruit, and chocolate
Pasta and baking mixes
They chew through packaging, spin webbing inside containers, and leave droppings behind. Once they start breeding, they can infest every shelf in your pantry in just a few weeks.
They’re not dangerous to eat (you won’t get sick), but the contamination is disgusting—and once you see them in one container, you can bet they’ve spread to others.
How Indian Meal Moths Get Into Your House
Most infestations start at the store. Their eggs or larvae are already in dry goods before you buy them. Once the package sits in your warm pantry, the larvae hatch, feed, and crawl to nearby items to spread.
You can also bring them in through pet food, bulk grain, or birdseed. Once inside, they lay eggs in any open or poorly sealed food source. A single female moth can lay hundreds of eggs, which is why infestations grow so quickly.
Why You Don’t Want Them to Stay
If you ignore them, they’ll ruin your food and your peace of mind.
Here’s what happens when they stay too long:
Webbing forms inside food containers and bags.
Small white larvae crawl around your shelves.
Adult moths start flying around kitchens and pantries at night.
Eggs spread to new food packages—even unopened ones.
They also attract other pests like beetles and ants that feed on their larvae and eggs.
The longer you wait, the more food you’ll end up tossing out.
Where and When They’re Active
Indian meal moths are active year-round in Southern California because our mild climate never gets cold enough to kill them off. They prefer dark, warm, quiet areas—which makes your pantry, kitchen cabinets, and garage storage ideal hiding spots.
You’ll often see them flying in the evening around light fixtures or hovering near the pantry door.
How to Get Rid of Indian Meal Moths
Getting rid of Indian meal moths takes more than spraying or swatting. You need to remove their food source and break their breeding cycle.
Here’s what to do:
Empty the pantry completely. Check every box, bag, and container. Throw away anything infested.
Vacuum and wipe shelves. Pay attention to corners and cracks where larvae hide.
Use airtight containers. Store food in sealed glass or plastic containers to block future infestations.
Clean regularly. Wipe up spills and crumbs right away.
Treat the area professionally. Pesticides alone won’t reach hidden eggs or larvae—professional treatments are the best way to stop them for good.
Professional Indian Meal Moth Control in Rialto and Fontana
At TruPest Solutions, we understand how frustrating pantry pests can be. Our technicians identify the source, treat hidden areas, and apply safe, effective products that eliminate moths at every stage of their life cycle.
We target cracks, corners, and potential entry points to make sure the infestation doesn’t return. You’ll have your pantry back—clean, safe, and bug-free.
If you’ve spotted tiny moths flying around your kitchen or found webbing in your food, don’t wait. The problem spreads fast.
Call 951-334-5288 or visit TruPestSolutions.com to schedule your pantry pest control service today.
