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Moths can cause a lot of trouble in up to several different industries, and therefore they can of course also create problems in the food industry. Moths are typically seen as problems among breakfast producers and feed manufacturers for dog and cat food. However, they can also be a nuisance in chocolate factories, so it is not only the drier products that moths go into.
One of the reasons that moths in the food industry can cause problems with so many different types of food is that there are simply several different moths. Here we will deal with three specific species, namely Plodia interpunctella, also called the two-colored seed moth, Ephestia elutella, also called the cocoa moth, and Ephestia cautella, which is also called the date moth.
Appearance
There are several different species of moths that can be potential pests in the food industry, and therefore there can be a huge difference in what the specific moth looks like. However, moths can generally be recognized by their shape and size. Most moths are relatively large insects with both hindwings and forewings. Some of them may even look like gray or brownish butterflies in shape, although the color varies.
Moths can also be surprisingly furry for an insect. They can often have a furry edge on the back of their wings, on the back, chest, or head. However, they will most often be seen by humans because of their behavior. Moths have a particularly chaotic way of flying, and in addition they often stick to dark, high-lying areas when resting. Ergo, they will therefore be difficult to spot with the naked eye.
You can also spot their larvae, which can also vary in shape and size. However, the vast majority of insect larvae are a whitish to light brown color, and they are long in the body without legs. Moth larvae can also be harmful to the food industry, but rarely to the same extent as the adult moths.
Biology and behavior
Moths usually enter factories via raw materials, which are then processed at the factory. These raw materials include seeds, grains, nuts, almonds and similar goods, and the moths eat mainly of these goods, but their larvae can also eat of the finished food product from the given factory.
The adult moths are particularly active during twilight and evening, and they will typically settle on ceilings and other high areas when resting. The moth females will lay their eggs wherever they can find food, so potentially they will attack both raw and finished goods. The adult moths will prefer to eat from the raw materials as they know what this is, but the larvae are not as picky.
Damage
The damage that moths cause in the food industry is mainly that they simply eat away at the raw material stock and lay eggs in the factory, which then turn into larvae that also take care of the food. An actual infestation of moths can lead to large, financial losses.
Prevention and pest control
Since a moth infestation in the food industry can be an expensive affair, it is important to take its precautions and prevent this in a sensible way. Both finished goods and raw materials should be stored cool and dry, as moths reproduce best in heat and moisture. By keeping all food cool, it becomes virtually impossible for the mills to multiply.
In addition, if specific foods need to be stored for a long time, they should be checked regularly. Finished food products and raw materials should be kept as separate as possible so that any moths in the raw materials cannot multiply in the finished product (and vice versa). Finally, the factory itself should be cleaned regularly and thoroughly, as spilled food can be enough food for many moths and moth larvae. Control should be done quickly and effectively when moths are detected in the food industry. Control of moths in the food industry typically takes place with pesticides and other poisons, which will make a whole batch of food unsaleable, as it is impossible to prevent the pesticide from getting on finished products and raw materials. Treatment with phosphorus hydrogen is also an option, but this control must only be done by a professional.
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