Pantry moth or clothes moth?
Pantry moths, usually the Indian meal moth, are found in kitchens and food cupboards. They are about 10 mm long with wings that are pale grey at the base and copper towards the tip, and they fly readily, especially at dusk. Clothes moths are smaller, plain golden-buff, avoid light and stay near wardrobes and carpets.
Where pantry moths come from
Eggs or larvae are usually already in a product when you bring it home: flour, cereal, rice, dried fruit, nuts, spices, chocolate, bird seed or pet food. They then spread to other open packets.
How to clear them
- Empty the cupboard and check every dry food item, including sealed packets, herbs, spices and pet food
- Look for webbing, clumps, larvae or small holes in packets
- Throw away anything infested in a sealed bag, outside
- Vacuum shelves, corners, hinges, shelf-peg holes and the gap under the shelves where larvae pupate
- Wipe surfaces down and let them dry
- Store all new dry goods in airtight containers
- Use a pantry moth pheromone trap to check for remaining moths
Why they keep coming back
If moths reappear, there is a source you have missed. Common culprits are a forgotten bag of bird seed in a shed, dog biscuits in the utility room, or food spilt behind a kitchen unit. Larvae also wander some distance to pupate, so check the ceiling and door frames for cocoons.
Professional help
For persistent infestations at home, and for shops, food businesses and warehouses, we inspect, find the source and treat cracks and voids. See pantry pest control.
Questions and answers
Can I eat food that had moths in it?
Throw away visibly infested food. It is spoiled and unpleasant even if not usually harmful.
Do pantry moths eat clothes?
No. Pantry moths feed on dry foods. If moths are in your wardrobe, see clothes moths.
How long does it take to get rid of pantry moths?
Often a few weeks, as any remaining larvae and pupae finish developing. Keep checking traps.
Related pages
This page is general information, last reviewed on 19 October 2026. It is not a substitute for an on-site inspection.