Dallas Fort Worth Pest Control Clothes Moths

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Clothes Moths
Clothes Moth

The Term "Clothes Moth" is properly used in connection with the webbing clothes moth, the casemaking clothes moth, and the tapestry or carpet moth. The first two species are more common, while tapestry moths occur very rarely. These are all small moths, as the adults have a wingspan of less than 1/2". Their habits are different than most moths because they are rarely seen flying around at night. Rather they prefer dark closets, attics, or other areas and tend to live in dark corners or in folds of fabric. They will fly occasionally, but normally only on the edges of a lighted area, so usually remain quite inconspicuous.

Clothes Moths have a complete metamorphosis (egg, larvae, pupae, adult). Adults are unable to feed and it is the larval stage, which are small cream colored caterpillars with brown heads that damage fabrics. In houses, they most frequently damage clothing, carpets, rugs, upholstery, fabrics, piano felts, brush bristles, blankets, hair from pets, furs, linens, lint from woolens and any stored or wool or silk products. These products all contain the animal derived protein - keratin.

Clothes Moths larvae will at times damage other products such as cotton, linen, silk, synthetic fibers and paper. Such damage usually is incidental, resulting from the larvae damaging such fibers while eating its natural food. Clothes moth larvae are particularly damaging to fabrics stained with materials such as oil, from human hair, human sweat, urine, beer, tomato juice, milk and soft drinks.

Webbing clothes moths are the most commonly encountered clothes moth in the United States. They get their name from the fact they as the larvae feed, they spin a silken feeding tube which resembles a small patch of silk webbing.

Control Clues:

Indoors - Liquid sprays such as Demon WP and Flee to kill pre-adult larvae. Aerosol Foggers to kill adults. All clothing made of natural animal fibers such as wool, cashmere, etc. must be carefully inspected for damaging larvae or dry cleaned since dry cleaning solutions will kill immature larvae. Wrapping inspected or cleaned clothes in plastic will help prevent infestation but is not a cure all.

Moth Crystals or Paradichlorobenzene can be used as an effective storage control material. Mothproofing services provided by some Drycleaners can also aid in control.

Outdoors - None.

Application Don'ts: Foggers alone will not work. Closets lined with cedar panels are of little or no use in clothes moth control.