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A Clothes Moth on Material
Photo Courtesy of olei@despammed.com Wikipedia public Domain

Clothes Moths

• There are a number of different species of this insect. Some large and others small, some beautifully patterned and others very plain.
• Two types are commonly found in clothes, carpets and other natural fabrics.
• There are many ways to control and get rid of these pests.

Names of these Household Pests

• The Common Clothes type is pale brown and folds its wings up like little tents.
• The Brown House type has flecked golden-bronze wings which it folds almost flat onto its body.

Although these little beasties are interesting creatures, we do not want them in our closets or drawers making holes in clothes.

The Life Cycle

• The adult female, lays eggs which she attaches to her chosen fabric.
• The eggs hatch into small creamy-white caterpillars with brown heads.
• These caterpillars or larvae enjoy eating through our woolly sweaters and carpets, fur coats and other natural fabrics. They would rather nibble through fabrics that have been dyed, soiled by food, urine or perspiration!
• It takes between 3-18 months of nibbling for the caterpillar to pupate.
  
  

  Now its eating and feasting days are over!
  
  

• The pupal stage, is where the youngsters lie in silken cocoons to mature.
• After 10-60 days a new young moth is born and lives for up to four weeks and the cycle starts all over again.

Controlling Measures

• Keep clothes scrupulously clean.
• Store woollens and natural fabrics in cedar wood closets or in sealed polythene storage bags.
• Make sure your storage drawers close tightly and your cupboard doors are a good fit.
• Hang specific repellent discs or vaporising strips in your wardrobes.
• Keep your carpets well vacuumed especially around the edges and under furniture.
• If you have removable, washable upholstery covers, wash them regularly or if not washable, shake well or vacuum them thoroughly every now and again.
• If desired, spray carpets containing wool, with the appropriate repellent, especially round edges and under furniture.
• Spray upholstery especially down the sides and around the back.
• Do not attract these flying creatures into the house by leaving lights on and windows open. If this is unavoidable use window or door screens.

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