Question: These maggots have recently appeared on our kitchen
ceiling. They are quite sticky and very active. Are you able to
identify them and advise what we should do about them if more
appear? Maggots on the ceiling Photographer/Source: Richard
Clivaz Answer: The “maggots” in your photograph are actually the
larvae of a moth, most probably the Indian Meal Moth. We would
need to examine the larvae under a microscope to confirm this.
The Indian Meal Moth is one of the pest species which feed on
stored food products. If it is this species (or another species
of stored food product pest) and you would like to be rid of
them, you will need to find and destroy the source of the
infestation. Check for any open or damaged food products in the
pantry – the moth larvae may be feeding on flour, corn, broken
grains, seeds, powdered milk, cereals, chocolate, biscuits,
dried fruits, nuts, dog foods, etc. The larvae of some species
produce mats of webbing over the food products which should make
an infestation obvious. O