Clothes moths cause irreparable harm to fabrics containing animal fibers like wool, fur, silk feathers and leather in clothing as well as museum artifacts by going undetected in homes causing irreparable harm to both family clothing and artifacts. These pests frequently go undetected causing irreparable harm both at home and museums alike.
Check for holes, grazed areas, or patches of silken webbing on fabric. Laundering, dry cleaning and hot air from a clothes dryer are effective means of controlling moths; for further disinfestation use chest or walk-in freezers to deep freeze articles in.
Inspection
Moth control begins by regularly inspecting clothes, rugs and fabrics that could attract moths. Check for signs of moth larvae under collars or cuffs as well as holes surrounded by silken fibers or gritty fecal material; full grown moths produce cigar-shaped silken cases containing pieces of infested fabric embedded within their cases; vacuum carpets regularly to eliminate woolen lint on which moths feed; inspect thin areas of fabric where holes appear reminiscent of moth grazing activity; take special note of holes with silken fibers surrounding silken fibers or gritty fecal material present if found; thin areas should be monitored closely to detect larvae present; thin areas should also be checked for signs that holes might indicate moth larvae hiding within. Vacuum carpets rugs or upholstery furniture regularly as this will eliminate feeding sites.
Clothes moths are attracted to natural fiber textiles containing animal materials like wool, fur, horns, hides and hair that contain animal components such as wool. Clothes moths may enter homes by being carried in secondhand clothing, blankets or items brought from outdoors – or carried into them by pets or wildlife – before nesting themselves within closets, basements and attics in dark, undisturbed locations like closets, basements and attics; museums with taxidermy collections store expensive natural fibers long term; museums taxidermy and similar structures face similar problems from clothing moth infestation.
Prevention
Clothes moth larvae are drawn to animal-derived materials containing keratin, such as wool clothing and rugs, furs, silk hair feathers and taxidermy mounts. Webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) and casemaking clothes moth (Tinea pellionella) both spin silken webs that damage fabrics furs woolens as infestations develop undetected underneath rarely moved upholstered furniture, cracks along baseboards, closets or in other dark secluded dark corners – damaged fabric should be stored away in cool climate.
Regular inspection can help avoid serious fabric pest infestations. Placing pheromone traps in closets and rooms where moths have been suspected will help monitor their presence, break their breeding cycle, and vacuuming cracks and crevices, especially under and behind upholstered furniture periodically is also helpful. Bedlam Insecticide (made specifically to combat cockroaches and moths) can be applied directly onto clothing, carpets, rugs or as a spot treatment near baseboards furniture floor coverings as a spot treatment or applied as spot treatments around baseboards furniture baseboards furniture baseboards furniture baseboards baseboards furniture floor coverings as an effective spot treatment option.
Disinfestation
Moths often make themselves known through damage caused to clothing made of natural fibers like wool, fur, hair or feathers as well as taxidermy mounts (stuffed animal mounts). Larvae leave silken tubes, threadbare spots and excrement pellets behind.
Storage areas should be regularly examined for moths, larvae and damaged items. Keep an eye out in dark corners like behind and underneath rarely moved furniture or air ducts where items might collect moth larvae and eggs as well as webbing from moths. Clothing stored with webbing could also attract moth larvae.
Launder all clothes and fabrics regularly. Laundering will kill moth larvae and eggs while providing preventative measures against future infestation. If an item cannot be laundered, seal it in plastic bag and place in the freezer; freezing will kill any eggs or moths clinging to its fabric surface. Alternatively, spray low-toxicity pheromone insecticide products for use as ready-to-use solutions with excellent residual properties – another preventive measure!
Treatment
Clothing moth damage often affects wool, fur, feathers and hair but may also affect leather, suede, corduroy and other synthetic fabrics. Look out for silken tubes on clothing, lines of silken tubes on clothing (with or without holes), surface grazing with fecal pellets and musty odor. Inspect for concealed moth activity in areas such as behind baseboards, in and under rarely moved upholstered furniture, air ducts, carpet edges/corners underfoot piles of woolen scrap piles, necks of stuffed animals/furs etc Glue traps equipped with pheromone lure can help detect moth infestations before further damage occurs.
Woolens and other washable items should be regularly laundered or dry cleaned to kill moth eggs and larvae, while non-washable materials should be put into plastic bags and frozen for several days to eliminate moths at every life stage. Pesticide sprays rarely work effectively on such articles because moths hide inside cracks and crevices that sprays cannot reach.