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Clothes moths
Clothes moths larva (caterpillar) stage damages items of animal origin,
such as wool, fur, silk and feathers. The adult moths do not feed. They are
rarely seen because they tend to hide in the dark during daylight. The
Indian meal moth, a common "pantry pest," flies about during daylight and is
often mistaken for one of these moths.
Casemaking clothes moth
The Casemaking clothes moth,
is a buff gray color and approximately 1/4-inch long
with its wings folded along the body. Each front wing has three somewhat
indistinct darker spots of scales.
The larva is creamy white with a brown head. It produces a silken
tube-like case in which it lives and carries around for protection. The head
and legs are exposed only during feeding and movement. This case is
camouflaged with bits of the material on which the larva has been feeding.
The larva is approximately 1/2-inch long at maturity.
Development from egg to adult is highly variable, depending upon
available food and environmental conditions. It may be as little as a month.
Webbing clothes moth
The webbing clothes moth is a
uniform buff color, approximately 1/4-inch long. It has a small tuft of red
hair on the top of its head.
The larva is whitish colored with a brown head. It produces a silk-lined
"tunnel" as it eats through or on the surface of a fabric. The moth is
approximately 1/2-inch long at maturity. Its developmental time is very
similar to that of the casemaking clothes moth.
Control measures & Prevention
- Conduct a regular
inspection program of all susceptible items at least once a year. Take all
items out of closets and drawers, and vacuum closets and drawers
thoroughly to remove lint on which larvae may feed.
- When making
purchases, look for woolens and wool synthetic blends that have been
treated by the manufacturer with a moth-resistant compound.
- Good housekeeping
helps keep these pests out. In the home, clean often to prevent lint, dust
or hair from accumulating. Regular vacuum cleaning of rugs, carpets,
drapes, upholstered furniture, pet bedding, closets, cracks and crevices
in floors, and areas inside and behind heaters, furnace air ducts and
vents is important. Particularly susceptible are areas that are under
furniture that is seldom moved and along baseboards where wool lint may
accumulate. After using the vacuum, empty the bag because it may contain
eggs or larvae. Remove animal nests (birds, rodents, bees and wasps). Trap
rodents (NOTE: poisoned baits may result in mice or other rodents dying in
inaccessible places-inside walls-and the carcasses can serve as a source
of food for fabric pests as well as other household pests.)
- Clean garments
regularly. Thoroughly clean garments before storage. Clothes moths are
attracted to articles soiled by food, beverages, perspiration and urine,
rather than the clean wool itself. For furs, professional cleaning and
cold storage is recommended.
- Store articles
properly. Place clean articles in tight storage containers. Good plastic
bags (without holes) sealed after the clean item is placed inside should
prevent clothes moth infestation as long as the bag remains without
punctures or tears. Use storage containers with tight fitting lids and
seal storage containers or cartons with a good quality tape. All seams and
joints should be taped over. If garments are completely clean when placed
in sealed containers, they should be safe from clothes moths. Note: Cedar
chests are good pest-proof containers primarily because of their tight
construction, and not the fact that they may release cedar oil. Cedar oil
can kill young larvae, but may not affect older ones. Also, as the wood
ages, the oils are not as volatile. Light sanding can help release the
oils after a year or two of use.
- Place garments in
cold storage where temperatures remain below 40°F. Larvae are inactive at
temperatures below 40°F. Many people assume that freezing temperatures
will control these insects-not always so. Clothes moths have survived for
long periods in unheated attics and barns in old furniture, clothing and
blankets exposed to below-freezing temperatures. Although lower
temperatures slow down or put a temporary halt to their activities, the
clothes moths are usually not directly killed by them.
- If you have
infested articles, you can often rid them of larvae and eggs by brushing
and sunning them, or by having them dry cleaned. Vigorous brushing
outdoors in bright sunshine, particularly of areas around cuffs, collars
and other hidden places, if done periodically, can be effective in
destroying clothes moths. If pillows, mattresses, or upholstered
furnishings are infested, you may want to have them treated by a
professional pest control firm, or dispose of the infested articles.
- Moth proofing after
cleaning or sunning can help prevent future infestations. Many commercial
cleaners offer a moth proofing process. Infested cabinets or closets
should be vacuumed thoroughly to remove any wool lint from between boards
or in corners.
- If you have a
widespread infestation, it is advisable to enlist the services of a
professional pest control firm.
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WEBBING CLOTHES MOTH
(Tineola bisselliella)
With the decreased use of
preventive pesticides, the incidence of damage by the Webbing Clothes
moth has increased significantly in recent years. Items primarily affected
include woolens, other animal fibers and anything containing feathers.
Woolen items injured by clothes moths have holes eaten through them by
small, white larvae. You can often find hairs falling from animal specimens
that the larvae are feeding upon. Materials left undisturbed for some time
or stored in dark places (such as a closet, attic, or drawer) are most
severely injured by these insects. The adults are small and
champagne-colored. They can often be seen running over the surface of the
infested goods when exposed to light or flying somewhat aimlessly about the
houses or closets.
Food:
Clothing moth larvae feed on wool, hair, feathers, furs, upholstered
furniture, occasionally on dead insects, dry dead animals, animal and fish
meals, milk powders such as casein, and nearly all animal products such as
bristles, dried hair and leather. Adults do not eat.
Life Cycle: Adult moths lay 100-150 eggs. The larvae is the damaging
stage. They are white and vary in size from 1/16" when first hatched up to
1/3" when full grown. The length of the larval period depends largely on the
environmental conditions and the quality of food.
Trap use and placement: This
trap is placed on the floor indoors in closets and rooms where woolen, silk
fabrics, furs, or items with feathers are stored. One trap per closet or
storage room can attract and catch the male moths. This trap will act as an
early warning tool to help prevent destruction of woolen items and other
fabrics.
CASE-MAKING CLOTHES MOTH
(Tinea pellionella)
If you have clothes moths
and it's not the Webbing Clothes Moth, chances are you have Case-making
Clothes Moths. Materials left undisturbed for some time or stored in dark
places (such as a closet, attic, or drawer) are most severely injured by
these insects. The adults are slightly smaller than the Webbing Clothes
Moth. Body and wings are colored buff to golden with a brownish tinge,
except for three dark spots on the front wings. The eyes are wider than the
space between them. The brown headed larvae will spin a silken case that it
carries around with them as they feed.
Food:
Clothing moth larvae feed on wool, hair, feathers, furs, upholstered
furniture, occasionally on dead insects, dry dead animals, animal and fish
meals, milk powders such as casein, and nearly all animal products such as
bristles, dried hair and leather. Adults do not eat.
Life Cycle: 33 - 48 days, depending on environment. Adult moths lay
100-150 eggs. The larvae is the damaging stage. They are white with brown
heads and vary in size from 1/4" when first hatched up to 1/3" when full
grown. The length of the larval period depends largely on the environmental
conditions and the quality of food.
Trap use and placement: This
trap is placed on the floor indoors in closets and rooms where woolen, silk
fabrics, furs, or items with feathers are stored. One trap per closet or
storage room can attract and catch the male moths. This trap will act as an
early warning tool to help prevent destruction of woolen items and other
fabrics.
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FURNITURE BEETLE(
Anobium punctatum)
This cylindrical shaped beetle (also called powder-post beetle by some) is
reddish brown and 1/6 to 1/4 inch (4 - 6 mm) long. It has punctures on the
dorsum in longitudinal rows. The last three segments of the antennae are longer
than the others.
Food: Wood and reeds. They prefer wood with a high
moisture content.
Life Cycle: The adult beetles emerge in the spring, mate and begin
laying eggs immediately. Females lay 20 to 60 eggs on bare wood surfaces, or
inside previous emergence holes in finished wood. The larvae hatch out in 6 - 10
days and immediately tunnel into the wood. The larval stage will last 2 years,
or even up to 3 - 5 years. Furniture beetles pupate near the surface of the wood
and chew their way out to mate.
Trap Use and Placement: A pheromone lure is currently
unavailable for this wood pest. Insects Limited hopes to synthesize this
pheromone by early 2004. |
LARDER BEETLE(
Dermestes lardarius)
 The
adult is a dark brown to black beetle, 7 to 9 mm in length, with a pale yellow
six spotted band on the back of the abdomen. The undersurface as well as the
legs are covered with fine yellow hairs.
Food: Ham, bacon, meats, cheese, dried pet foods, dried
museum specimens of all kinds, stored tobacco, dried fish, and all hides. The
larvae seem to prefer fatty portions of meat rather than lean muscular portions.
Life Cycle: Larder beetle females lay 100 - 175 eggs. These eggs
will hatch in 12 days or less. The larvae will eat constantly until it molts. It
will molt 5 - 6 times before pupating. Often times the larvae will burrow into
meat or even wood before it pupates.The complete life cycle may be completed
with 40 - 50 days.
Trap Use and Placement: A simple sticky (blunder) trap
is currently the best means to monitor for Larder beetles. The trap should be a
flat design (Rather than a tray design) to allow for easy entry into the trap.
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