Pantry Moths/ Indian Meal Moth Control Service
Pantry Moths/ Indian Meal Moth Control Service Guide
Please download the guide to review all general information and the section related to your specific pest.
Pantry Moths/ Indian Meal Moth Control Service Pricing
Two-Visit Indian Meal Moth Service Plan
• Includes two visits, 2-4 weeks apart.
• Includes treatment of affected areas and a detailed inspection to find hidden larval sources. Customers must vacate the treatment area for 3 hours.
Indian Meal Moth Preparation Guidelines
- Customers must dispose of all expired food before arrival.
- Clear infested food storage areas for treatment.
- We include inspection of food items. So, leave pantry items in an area for the technician to inspect.
- Remove and replace torn or peeling shelf liners.
- Vacuum and wipe infested food storage areas. Focus on corners, the undersides of shelves, and cracks or holes in shelving. Larvae and pupae are often found on door hinges, the backs of doorknobs, the corners of wire baskets, under shelves, and around the edges of jars and lids. Larvae climb upwards from the infested food to pupate in crevices.
- Place any items that seem intact with no signs of damage in the freezer for four days.
- Store all pantry edibles in sealed glass or metal containers. The larvae can chew through paper and plastic.
- Store pet food and bird seed far away from your pantry food in air-tight containers.
List of Items That Indian Meal Moths Infest
- Pantry Items: Cornmeal, flour, oatmeal, cereal, candies, pancake/muffin/cake mixes, dried fruit, nuts, seeds, rice, dried beans, baking chocolate, powdered milk, dog bones, dried pet food, crackers, pasta, dried fruit, protein powder, and other drink mixes, spices/herbs, seasoning packets, tea, soup mix.
- Other Items: Bird seed, fish food, potpourri, dried floral arrangements, wreaths, decorative corn stalks, deer antlers, feathers, bird and rodent nests (chimneys, attics, soffits, wall voids, behind siding), stored acorns, and other food cache from rodent infestations, and rodenticide bait.
How To Use Pantry Moth Traps
Do not rely on traps to control moths. They only catch males, and only a few are needed to fertilize the female population. Use them instead to find the source of the problem. Most people place traps by their food. By doing so, they attract more moths into the areas where they don’t want to see them. Instead, put them in the basement, attic, and by fireplaces/ chimneys. This can locate hidden infestations like wildlife debris in the chimney, bird nests in soffits, and rodent food caches in basement walls. Pantry moths often come down the chimney into the home. Chimneys may need to be professionally cleaned.
Service Area
Our service area is inside the purple line. We service homes outside of the purple line. However, a “trip charge” will be incurred to account for longer drive times.
Out of Area “Trip Charge”
For locations outside the purple line- up to forty minutes from the office, a “trip charge” of $50 per visit applies for single services and non-warrantied follow-up visits. Add $100 for multi-visit service plans. We do not service homes over 40 minutes away. During the busy April-October season, we might be unable to service homes outside the purple line. We are likelier to take jobs to the West than jobs further away to the South or East.
For multi-family homes (duplexes and apartment buildings), extra units can be added for $50 for single services or $100 for multi-visit service plans (per additional unit).
Customers can purchase multiple services to be performed during the same visit. When bundled, receive 20% off the lesser service. An example of this is mouse control coupled with an ant treatment.
Allow an arrival window of a half-hour before and after your scheduled appointment time.
Depending on your service, you should receive an email/ text reminder 3 days or 1 day before your scheduled service. However, our software sometimes fails to send these reminders. You are responsible for keeping track of any appointments that you plan.
- For initial/ single services, if we arrive at the job site and cannot gain access to the property (if required), there will be an $80 missed appointment fee. This must be paid before scheduling any future service.
- If access is required but not provided for any follow-up visit, the warranty becomes void and counts as one of the follow-up visits. In this case, extra visits can be purchased within the 60 or 90-day service period for 1/3 of the original cost.
- Follow-up visits must be scheduled within the service period (60 or 90 days). It is the customer’s responsibility to make sure all visits are scheduled.
- As with all appointments, allow an arrival time of half an hour before and after the scheduled appointment time. We wait for unavailable customers for 15 minutes before counting the visit as a missed appointment.
Most pest control services have a warranty or come with half-price follow-up services within 60 days. Except for rats and wildlife, please allow two weeks for control before requesting follow-up service (one week for ants).
- Most pesticides have a residual, which means they keep working after they dry. The average lifespan of a residual pesticide application is 20 days. Most of our pesticides cannot be reapplied for 2-4 weeks.
- Pests also have a lifecycle, which means it can take time to see results. For example, sprays don’t kill newly laid bed bug eggs. Likewise, flea pupae are immune to most pesticides. It can take two weeks for ant and yellowjacket colonies to collapse.
- If ants go away after the treatment, but return within the warranty period, please allow 3-5 days before requesting a follow-up. The new ants often encounter the previously applied product and dissipate a few days later. If we have left you with a bait station, please place this device where you see the activity.
Different pests are active during certain times of the year, and pesticide applications only last so long. This is why we offer maintenance plans to manage your pests year-round.
We will inform the customer during the initial service if sanitation or other factors compromise the warranty.
- For any pesticide application, keep children and pets out of the treatment area until the treatment has dried/ settled out of the air. Depending on the application, this can take 45 minutes to 4 hours.
- Please secure dogs so they cannot physically contact our technicians.
- It is the customer’s responsibility to provide all responsible parties (tenants) with the preparation guidelines. They are also responsible for providing access and ensuring occupants are ready to vacate the premises if needed.
- Please follow all customer preparation guidelines and instructions. For more details, see the section related to your service.
Suppose a customer or other structure(s) occupants believe they are or may be sensitive to pesticides/termiticides or their odors. In that case, the customer must notify Lakewood Exterminating LLC in writing before service, including whether the customer or other occupants have consulted with a medical doctor or other healthcare provider regarding such sensitivity. Upon receipt of such notification, Lakewood Exterminating LLC reserves the right to deny or terminate service. Failure to provide notification represents the customer’s assumption of risk and waiving of claims against Lakewood Exterminating LLC in connection with such sensitivity.
- After completing the service, we will return to our vehicle to write up your invoice. Here, you will find information such as our time on site, weather conditions for exterior pesticide application, inspection findings, materials we used for control and their locations, completed repairs, documented notes, and recommendations. This will be sent to the phone number and email address on file.
- We ask that you pay at the time of service. We accept checks, cash, or credit cards. We require a signed invoice and credit card on file if you cannot pay at the time of service. If you are a landlord or responsible party but will not be present for the appointment, please put a card on file during the scheduling process. Payments will be run after the initial service is complete. Receipts are sent via email. If you have used our services with a history of timely payments, you may be invoiced/ pay online. If we invoice you, payment is due in 2 weeks.
- For large commercial properties and apartments with more than six units, the cost per service starts at $200 per hour of labor- plus materials costing over $30.
- Small offices and stores are generally priced the same as homes.
- Restaurants and similar establishments require an on-site visit to provide an estimate. There is usually an initial service fee plus a monthly maintenance fee, which starts at $100.
- If you are receiving a pesticide application, remember that employees, customers, and other occupants must stay out of the treatment area for a few hours until the spray dries. Our available times for treatments are generally 9 a.m.- 5 p.m.
- For rentals, the customer is responsible for coordinating with the tenants, providing access upon arrival, giving tenants the preparation guidelines, and ensuring they properly prepare and vacate.
- Tenants cannot schedule service without the landlord’s permission. The only exception is if the lease states that pest control is the tenant’s responsibility.
- For any rodent or wildlife issue, the customer must be the landlord.
- We require a credit card on file if the landlord is absent for the appointment.
Exterior Pesticide Treatments are performed from March through November, weather permitting. At all other times, an interior treatment will be applied for most common household pests.
Many pest problems can be diagnosed over the phone or by email for free. If you are unclear about which service your problem falls under, please email pictures to support@lakewoodexterminating.com. Our owner also provides phone consultations upon request. Please reach out through the contact form on our website to speak with our Owner.
If you require a site visit to diagnose a pest issue, there is a $99 plus tax fee. This includes an inspection/ consultation. A price quote will be provided to remedy problems as needed.
Pantry Moth Control Solutions
Are you witnessing small flying moths fluttering about your kitchen? If so, you’re likely dealing with a frustrating pantry moth infestation. Also identified as Indian meal moths, pantry moths often peak in Cleveland, OH during July and August.
Getting rid of pantry moths can quickly become overwhelming. That’s why numerous homeowners prefer to bring in professionals who specialize in pantry moth control. We offer effective solutions to purge your kitchen of these pantry pests, focusing not just on the present pantry moth infestations but also on preventing pantry moth infestations in the future.
Our strategy targets every stage of the pantry moth lifecycle, from the Indian meal moth adults to the pantry moth larvae, ensuring a comprehensive approach. With us on board, you’ll get rid of pantry moths for good, restore the sanctity of your kitchen, and secure peace of mind knowing your food is safe from infestation. Let us help you reclaim your space from these unwelcome invaders.
Our Pest Inspection Process
At Lakewood Exterminating, we provide our clients with an intensive and thorough pest inspection process. Our goal is to ensure we identify the problem correctly from the beginning to guarantee an effective treatment plan. Below is our step-by-step guide to understand how we carry out our pest inspections.
Appointment Scheduling:
Once you have contacted us and described your pest issue, we will set up a convenient date and time for your inspection.
Preliminary Discussion:
When our technician arrives, they will first have a brief discussion with you. This conversation will cover your observations, concerns, and any particular areas where you’ve noticed signs of pest activity.
Thorough Inspection:
Following the discussion, the technician will carry out a detailed inspection of your property. This includes checking all accessible areas both inside and outside your property, from the pantry to the basement, attic, garden, and more. The aim is to identify the pest species, size of the infestation, and the areas they inhabit.
Identification:
During the inspection, the technician will determine the type of pest and the level of infestation. In the case of pantry moths, for example, they will look for signs such as visible adult moths, larvae, or moth webbing on food containers.
Assessment:
After identifying the pest, we assess the extent of the infestation and possible damage. For pantry moths, this could involve ruined foodstuffs or contamination. This is crucial for devising an effective control strategy.
Report:
Post-inspection, our technician will provide you with a detailed report. It includes the type of pest, infestation level, affected areas, and potential risks. The report will also offer an outline of the recommended treatment approach and cost.
Scheduling Treatment:
Once we have agreed on the treatment plan, we will schedule the pest control service. We will aim to start the treatment as quickly as possible to limit any further damage or distress.
Our Signs of Indian Meal Moths Inside The Home
Adults Compared to many other moths in Ohio, pantry moths are relatively small — only 3/8″ long when fully developed. Like most other moth species, pantry moths’ wing tips are coppery-tan in color. However, the portion of the wing closest to the body of a pantry moth is white. This feature makes it easy to tell Indian meal moths apart from clothing moths. You may find pantry moths zig-zagging in flight around your home at night. Since they’re nocturnal, lights may attract them into different areas of the home.
Larvae The small, white larvae actually cause more damage than pantry moths in any other stage of development. The larvae contaminate your food. As they develop, they weave tunnels in their food (ahem, your food). These tunnels are made with silk and frass. Depending on the age, and the level of infestation, you may be able to spot these silk webs. While feeding, the larvae either stay inside the tunnel or close by. Over time, their bodies may become tinged with yellow, green, or pink pigmentation. When mature, at 1/2″- 5/8″ long, they are white caterpillars with black heads. Before pupating, these fully mature caterpillars leave a trail of silk along their path. If there is no place to pupate within the layers of food, larvae will climb up walls to find a spot. Interestingly enough, they can travel way outside of the infested area to weave their cocoons.
Pupae Just like their butterfly relatives, pantry moths undergo complete metamorphosis. This means the larvae weave a tiny yet noticeable cocoon inside cabinet and wall crevices. Sometimes you can find the silk webs on the top of pantry walls.
Tips And Tricks For Pantry Moths
Where To Look For A Pantry Moth Infestation
First, inspect your cornmeal and other stored grains. The following items have been known to host pantry moth infestations: cornmeal, flour, oatmeal, cereal, pancake/muffin mixes, nuts, rice, dog bones, dried pet food, crackers, pasta, dried fruit, protein powder and other drink mixes, bird seed, fish food, spices, seasoning packets, tea, soup mix, potpourri, dried floral arrangements, decorative corn stalks, deer antlers, bird and rodent nests, rodenticide bait, and feathers. As you can see, these pests eat a wide variety of vegetable matter, and going through every one of these items in your kitchen is no easy task. Fun fact: the only non-plant material these cannibals eat are themselves!
FAQ
Base how often you get pest control done on an action threshold that you set for yourself. Let’s say you get a kitchen ant invasion every spring. Then that is when you get a pest control treatment done. Otherwise, you can set a different threshold. Some people do not mind spiders outside. Yet if they see two inside within a week, they are going to call an exterminator. This would be an example of a threshold you can set.
It is basically your breaking point. Everyone reaches their breaking point before calling for pest control service. Consider setting your threshold in a practical manner. It might be difficult to eliminate all centipedes from your basement. In that case, set a threshold at 3 sightings in one week to warrant another treatment. Monitoring devices help to find out how much pest activity there is. In some cases, one pest sighting is enough to warrant a treatment. While you might not pick up the phone for one ant in your home, one rat sighting and you’ll want us to come right away!
Pest control prices valid for single family homes within our main service area. Services are from Tremont- Avon Lake. Anywhere North of Brookpark Road- generally speaking.
- Bed Bug Inspections start at 75$.
- Bed Bug Treatments start at 550$.
- 2 Visit Cockroach Treatment Plans start at 250$. Single Services start at 185$ with half price follow-ups.
- General Insect Pest Control Single Services start at 175$.
- Quarterly Pest Maintenance starts at 108$ per service.
- Wasp and Hornet Service (Stinging Insect Control) starts at 175$.
- Small Fly or Filth Fly Control starts at 175$.
- Carpenter Ant Treatments start at 225$.
- Mouse Control Single Services start at 175$.
- 3-Visit Mouse Control Treatment Plans start at 400$. Single Services start at 200$.
- 3-Visit Rat Trapping Services start at 400$.
- Termite Inspections (Wood Destroying Insect Inspections) for realty transactions cost 150$ plus tax.
- Service plans for pantry moths, fleas or springtails cost 250$ for 2 visits.
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Cleveland Pest Control Services
Child And Pet-Friendly Treatments From Trusted Exterminators
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Lakewood Exterminating, 13443 Detroit Ave., #8, Lakewood, OH 44107
Cleveland Pest Control Services
Child And Pet-Friendly Treatments From Trusted Exterminators
Lakewood Exterminating, 13443 Detroit Ave., #8, Lakewood, OH 44107