Insect infestations can be frustrating to deal with – they take time, money and a lot of effort to properly eradicate the pest. If your home has a clothes moth infestation, another layer of difficulty is applied as you try to protect and clean your valuable wool, silk and fur garments. Battling clothes moths is no simple matter and can be costly to do, but TERRO® has assembled this guide to help. Show Signs of A Clothes Moth InfestationRecognizing that you have clothing moths will be your first step to eliminating them from your home. The signs aren’t usually apparent until you discover damage wrought by the clothes moth larvae. Some of the signs of a clothes moth infestation include:
It should be noted that clothing moths primarily seek out animal-based fabrics, as well as fur, hair, leather, feathers and taxidermy. If those materials can’t be found, the larvae of these bugs will also eat lint, dust, cotton and linen because they are often saturated with tasty oils. Types of Clothing MothsThere are two primary kinds of clothing moths – the webbing clothes moth and the casemaking clothes moth. Both of these moths and their larvae are treated the same way. The only difference worth noting between the two is the evidence one leaves behind. The larvae of casemaking clothes moths create small, fibrous tubes that cling to the material they’re eating. Both moths have cream colored wings and bodies. Their larvae, which are responsible for your damaged fabrics, are worms that are about a half-inch long. Life of A Clothes MothClothes moths seek out dark, undisturbed areas to eat, mate and reproduce. That’s why they are often found in closets and other areas in a house that go relatively unused for long stretches, such as an attic. Eggs hatch in about 4 to 10 days in the summer and three or more weeks in the winter. After hatching, the larvae seek out a food source. The larvae then dine until they transform into moths, at which point they mate and the cycle begins again. The larvae and pupa of clothes moths can survive for months without food, which makes totally eliminating an infestation difficult. The entire clothes moth life cycle usually takes four to six months. However, researchers say that with the right conditions these insects can remain in their larvae stage for more than two years! Fighting A Clothes Moth InfestationOnce you’ve determined that you have a problem with clothes moths, you need to take steps to eradicate them from your house.
Preventing Clothes MothsIf you’re looking to avoid an infestation (or a resurgence), then understand that prevention is the key to your fight against clothing moths. Keep the following tasks on your regular chore list:
Your Clothes Moth SolutionsAre you struggling with a clothes moth infestation? What have you done to prevent clothing moths? If you have any questions about clothes moths, ask below in the comments, through our online contact form or by calling our customer service center at (800) 800-1819. You can also tell us about your clothes moth infestation the next time you visit TERRO® on Facebook. Subscribe to our eNewsletter for more pest fighting ideas as well as exclusive updates on our products. How do you kill moth larvae eggs?If dry cleaning is not an option, place the garment in a sealed plastic bag and put it in the freezer for a minimum of two weeks at -18 degrees. This will kill the eggs and larvae. Then hand wash with a gentle detergent and store in a protective bag.
Should you get rid of moth eggs?Either way, even if you cannot see a larva, we strongly recommend that you act to avoid further infestation and damage. You may have Moth eggs that you cannot easily see (they are tiny, almost microscopic) and are a 'ticking bomb' for further Moth damage.
How long do moth eggs survive?How long do moth eggs live? Moth eggs live 4-10 days after they have been laid and then hatch. This means that sticky eggs could be hidden on furniture or clothing that you bought at a garage sale. For this reason, it is best to freeze items for up to 72 hours before bringing them into your house.
What do you spray on moth eggs?We advise you to use Reefer-Galler SLA insecticide. Why have we chosen it? The product is based on pyrethrins and kills moths on contact. It targets not only adult insects but also their larvae and eggs, working against a variety of pests.
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