Published October 25, 2022 • Updated October 21, 2026
Reviewed by Julie Miller, BA in Language Arts, Editorial Lead, Dr. Killigan’s
TL;DR: Pantry moth larvae eat dry stored foods, especially grains, flour, cereal, rice, pasta, nuts, seeds, dried fruit, birdseed and dry pet food. They are less likely to feed on plain sugar and do not eat salt.
If you open your pantry one morning to a flutter of wings—or notice webbing, larvae or clumps inside dry goods—the source is often closer than it seems.
Adult pantry moths are usually the ones you see flying. The larvae are the ones feeding inside stored food. This guide will help you inspect the right pantry items first, separate high-risk foods from lower-risk ones and avoid wasting time on unlikely sources.
What do pantry moths eat?
Pantry moths eat dry, shelf-stable foods during the larval stage. When people ask what pantry moths eat, they are usually trying to find where the infestation is hiding. The better clue is not the adult moth flying nearby, but the condition of the food itself.
Look for webbing, clumps, shed skins, fine debris or small worm-like larvae inside packages. These signs often point to the source, especially in opened, loosely sealed or long-stored dry goods.
A simple rule: if the food is dry, shelf-stable and made from grain, seed, nut or fruit ingredients, inspect it before moving on to lower-risk items.
Pantry foods to inspect first
Start with the foods pantry moths are most likely to infest. High-risk foods contain the starches, proteins or oils pantry moth larvae need to grow. Medium-risk foods can be affected, especially when stored near an active source. Lower-risk foods can be checked last.
High-risk foods | Check these first:
- Flour and baking mixes
- Cereal, rice, oats and pasta
- Nuts and seeds
- Birdseed
- Dry pet food
- Dried fruit
Medium-risk foods | Check these next:
- Dried beans and legumes
- Spices and dried herbs
- Chocolate and cocoa
Lower-risk foods | Check these last:
- Tea and coffee
- Sugar
- Salt
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Overlooked pantry moth food sources
Once you’ve checked the foods above, look for dry goods that tend to sit forgotten in cabinets, garages or storage bins.
Check:
- Wheat-based or grain-based foods, including cornmeal, barley, couscous, crackers, biscuits, cake mixes and grits
- Powdered milk
- Candy or sweets that contain nuts, grains or chocolate
- Soup mixes
- Older drink mixes, coffee alternatives or tea blends stored in paper packaging
- Potpourri mixes
- Decorative wreaths that include nuts, fruit, seeds or seedheads
Do pantry moths eat sugar?
Plain sugar is unlikely to be the source of a pantry moth problem. The extension sources we reviewed do not list plain sugar among the foods pantry moth larvae infest.
Do pantry moths eat salt?
No. Salt is not a pantry moth food source.
Do pantry moths eat spices?
Sometimes. Spices and dried herbs are not usually where an infestation starts, but pantry moth larvae can feed on them, and moths may lay eggs on or near the packaging, especially around lids and seams.
Check older jars and packets stored near an infested item for webbing, clumps or larvae.
Do pantry moths like coffee or tea?
Not usually. Coffee and tea are not among the foods extension sources list for pantry moth larvae.
What do other moths eat?
Pantry moths are not the only moths found in homes, and not every moth eats food. Which moth you have changes where to look.
Clothes moths eat fabric, not food. Their larvae feed on animal fibers such as wool, fur, silk, feathers and felt, and are most likely to damage items soiled with food or body oils. Cotton and synthetics are rarely attacked unless blended with wool or stained. If the moths are in a closet rather than the kitchen, read Do clothing moths actually eat clothes? or our guide to getting rid of clothes moths.
Good to know: Whether the moth is a pantry moth or a clothes moth, the damage comes from larvae, not the adult moths you see flying.
How do pantry moths get into food?
Pantry moth eggs can already be in the package when you buy it. They can get in anywhere between the factory and the store shelf. Once you bring the food home to a warm kitchen, the eggs can hatch.
Where to inspect for pantry moth larvae
Pantry moth larvae usually begin inside or near the food source, but they may move away as they mature. That is why larvae can sometimes appear beyond the original package or pantry shelf.
After checking the foods above, inspect:
- Shelf corners, shelf liners and small pantry crevices
- Cabinet corners and nearby wall or ceiling edges
- Garage storage areas, if pantry foods, birdseed or pet food are kept there
- Nearby rooms or closets where larvae may have settled
What to do if you find pantry moths in food
If a food item is clearly affected, discard it. Then clean the shelf, check the items stored closest to it and move unaffected pantry staples into sealed containers.
After cleaning, use Six Feet Under® as directed on affected shelf areas or crevices to help eliminate any remaining pantry moth eggs and larvae. Let the area dry fully before returning food items.
Dr. Killigan's Pantry Moth Traps help monitor adult moth activity and capture adult males, but they are not a substitute for removing the food source. For the full cleanup process, read our guide to getting rid of pantry moths.
If you need both, the Kitchen Security Kit pairs the traps and Six Feet Under together.
Related: How to get rid of pantry moths in the pantry
Sources
The moth diet and infestation facts in this guide draw on these references:
- Cornell Cooperative Extension (NYSIPM): Indian meal moth fact sheet
- University of Maine Cooperative Extension: Indian meal moths
- University of Minnesota Extension: Pantry pests: Insects found in stored food
- University of Florida IFAS Extension: Indianmeal moth (EENY-026)
- University of Kentucky Entomology: Clothes moths
- Butterfly Conservation: What do moths eat?
Explore more
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How to get rid of pantry moths in rice
How to check the rice and nearby foods, clean the shelves and set traps. -
Pantry moth life cycle: Eggs, larvae, pupae and adults
Learn how pantry moths move from eggs to larvae, pupae and adults. -
Pantry moth larvae: What they look like and how to get rid of them
See what the larvae look like and why they end up away from the food. -
How long does it take to get rid of pantry moths
See what to expect after cleaning, sealing food and setting traps.
