Indianmeal moths (IMM) can be pervasive in our homes and office spaces. But it is often very difficult to pinpoint the source of infestation. A big part of the problem is that you rarely see them in numbers. Often, while sitting quietly in your home, you will notice one or two flutter by from time to time — and tracking them to the source usually is an exercise in frustration. It is not uncommon to find them in pet food, dried grains and cereals, or even dried flower arrangements.
Pheromone traps are effective in capturing IMM males seeking a mate. But the traps should be used sparingly to avoid “flooding” the area with sex attractant, which would make it less likely for the moths to encounter the device.
There is however, an effective way to help pinpoint the source of infestation that defies this guideline: When the situation allows, place one trap in each of your enclosed cupboards or cabinets and closely monitor them. It will quickly be apparent which one or ones have the problem. Once you have identified the problem areas, it becomes much easier to pinpoint the infested products. Once you have addressed the source, you can discard the original traps and install only one in the room as a monitor.
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