The entire life cycle may take place in less than 2 months. The larval stage of the Indian meal moth produces frass and webbing, and some of the beetle larvae produce secretions that give the food a disagreeable odor and taste. Some pests are capable of living for many weeks without food, thus the threat of reinfestation exists until they die off or are killed. Follow the guidelines for removing and cleaning up an infestation. It is best, at least for several months after eliminating the infested products, to store any susceptible food in airtight containers or in a refrigerator or freezer.
Pheromone traps are available in many retail stores to monitor and trap food-infesting moths.
Insecticides are not recommended for use in areas where food is prepared, but may be useful in some situations to help control an existing infestation. If you find small moths or beetles crawling or flying around your kitchen, look for the food source of these pests and remove it immediately. If you locate the infestation before it spreads to other packages, control may be relatively easy. The source is commonly a package damaged at the store or an opened one that is little used or forgotten. The best thing to do with the package is seal it up and dispose of it, removing it from the house immediately.