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- Noticing The Telltale Signs of a Clothes Moth Infestation
Noticing The Telltale Signs of a Clothes Moth Infestation
- By Peter Simmons
- Published 01/27/2012
- Home Improvement
- Unrated
Have you recently gone into your wardrobe to put on your best suit and noticed that it is looking tattered and full of holes? Maybe your cashmere sweater looks like it has been in the wars. If this sounds familiar, then unfortunately, it could mean that you have a clothes moth infestation. Whilst they are not a danger to human beings, clothes moths can be a real pest to your home environment, causing extreme damage to your clothes as well as your furnishings such as carpets or sofas. In order to recognise a clothes moth (also known as Tineola Bisselliella), it is important to note that they are roughly 5mm in length and a buff or yellowish-brown in colour.
Their preference for dark and undisturbed places means that you are more likely to find them hidden amongst clothes and furniture. As they are so difficult to find, this means that not only can they be easily overlooked, but they are extremely difficult to eradicate completely. Whilst seeing the odd moth around the house may not be that irregular, it is important that you don’t fall into the trap and just assume that it is a regular moth, looking for its way back outside. Have a look in your wardrobes and around the back of your sofas for any telltale signs that these may be more than just regular moths.
If you discover that they are indeed clothes moths, act upon
it quickly and catch it before it turns into something more serious. You may attempt to physically catch the moths and kill them but unfortunately, even this may not entirely solve your problem. Clothes moths lay eggs that turn into larvae once they are hatched and unless these are also killed, your infestation may reoccur. In order to eliminate a clothes moth infestation, there are a number of steps that can be taken. Pheromone traps could be used for example. Most clothes moths rarely fly, especially the females who tend to run or hop in order to travel to their destinations.
Any moths that you do see airborne are likely to be males searching for a mate. It is this act of mating that is used to lure the clothes moths into the pheromone trap. Investing in a spray that is used to specifically kill moths could be a second option. However, as the spray is not able to kill the eggs, this may not prevent the clothes moth infestation from reoccurring. Bringing in the exterminators could be another option for you; they would visit your premises and undertake various treatments to help completely eliminate the infestation.
The first treatment would be to kill the clothes moths that already exist, but most exterminators recommend that a further treatment (or treatments, depending upon the size of the infestation) is undertaken at a later date, in order to kill any remaining larvae that may have hatched from the eggs in the mean time. There are a number of exterminating companies available that will provide you with the services you need and destroy the infestation with a high level of success. Whilst you may attempt to eliminate the problem yourself, you may not be entirely successful. It’s always safer to get the experts in who know what they are doing and who can ensure that the job is done properly.
Their preference for dark and undisturbed places means that you are more likely to find them hidden amongst clothes and furniture. As they are so difficult to find, this means that not only can they be easily overlooked, but they are extremely difficult to eradicate completely. Whilst seeing the odd moth around the house may not be that irregular, it is important that you don’t fall into the trap and just assume that it is a regular moth, looking for its way back outside. Have a look in your wardrobes and around the back of your sofas for any telltale signs that these may be more than just regular moths.
If you discover that they are indeed clothes moths, act upon
Any moths that you do see airborne are likely to be males searching for a mate. It is this act of mating that is used to lure the clothes moths into the pheromone trap. Investing in a spray that is used to specifically kill moths could be a second option. However, as the spray is not able to kill the eggs, this may not prevent the clothes moth infestation from reoccurring. Bringing in the exterminators could be another option for you; they would visit your premises and undertake various treatments to help completely eliminate the infestation.
The first treatment would be to kill the clothes moths that already exist, but most exterminators recommend that a further treatment (or treatments, depending upon the size of the infestation) is undertaken at a later date, in order to kill any remaining larvae that may have hatched from the eggs in the mean time. There are a number of exterminating companies available that will provide you with the services you need and destroy the infestation with a high level of success. Whilst you may attempt to eliminate the problem yourself, you may not be entirely successful. It’s always safer to get the experts in who know what they are doing and who can ensure that the job is done properly.