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The Ultimate Guide to Rodent Control
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Spotting pantry moth eggs early can save your dry goods. I’m a third-gen registered technician with four years in the field. Our family business has served the DMV for over 50 years, and I’ve seen hundreds of infestations. Let’s dive into what these tiny eggs look like and how to deal with them.
Pantry moths follow four stages:
A female can lay 40–350 eggs over 1–3 weeks, according to the Clemson Home & Garden Information Center. Eggs hatch into larvae in about 7 days at 70–80°F, per Virginia Cooperative Extension. Understanding this cycle helps you catch problems at the egg stage.
Look for these traits:
In macro shots of oats or flour, eggs look like tiny dust specs. You might see:
Pantry moth eggs hide in plain sight. Check:
For a full removal plan, see How to Get Rid of Pantry Moths: Identifying & Eliminating Them.
Use these tools:
Pheromone traps are easy to use. Place them at eye level in your pantry to catch emerging males.
Carpet beetle eggs are rounder and shinier. They don’t cluster on food grains like pantry moth eggs do. Learn more in our Signs of Carpet Beetles: How to Spot an Infestation.
Rice weevil eggs go inside grains near exit holes. Pantry moth eggs stay on the surface, often in clusters.
Drugstore beetle larvae burrow into packages, leaving exit holes. Pantry moth larvae spin fine webbing as they feed.
Eggs aren’t the only clue. Watch for:
Got another pest? Check Is a Spider a Bug? Clearing Up a Common Confusion.
In the Mid-Atlantic:
Discard infested items in sealed bags. You can heat-sanitize salvageable foods by heating to 120–140°F for 20 minutes (Colorado State Extension).
Use crack-and-crevice aerosols only after removing all food and letting surfaces dry. Remember, pheromone traps are for monitoring, not for control.
Keep your pantry clear of new eggs by:
If eggs or larvae return, our registered technicians can help. We offer:
Call our Pest Control team for a free estimate.
Looking for more help? Call us at 703-683-2000 or email [email protected] for an estimate.
Eggs hatch in about seven days at 70–80°F. Higher temps can speed this up to four days.
At 0.3 mm wide, eggs often look like dust. Use a hand lens and bright light to spot them.
Heat at 120–140°F for 20 minutes or freeze at 0°F for 72 hours kills most eggs.
Most eggs die after 72 hours at 0°F. A second freeze–thaw cycle ensures total egg death.
Yes. A glue-like coating helps them cling to seams, folds and rough surfaces.
Eating a few eggs by accident isn’t known to cause illness. Focus on preventing infestations.
Set up pheromone traps at eye level in your pantry. Check them weekly for male captures.
No sprays or repellents keep females from laying. Rely on airtight storage and traps.
Only toss items with visible webbing, larvae or egg clusters. Freeze others before keeping.
Check again two weeks after treatment. If you still see larvae, contact a professional.
Call us at 703-683-2000 or email [email protected] with questions or to schedule an estimate.
With five years of hands-on experience in the pest control industry, George Schulz is a registered technician with the Virginia Pest Management Association and a proud third-generation professional in a family business that’s been protecting homes for over 57 years. He manages and trains a team of service pros while also leading internal research efforts—recently spearheading a deep-dive review of thousands of documents on pest control materials to hand-pick the most kid and pet friendly, most effective solutions tailored specifically for homes in the DC metro area. Read his bio.
