Facts About Clothes Moths
Clothes Moths, a species of fungus moth (tineola bisselliella), have narrow wings that are fringed with small hairs and are roughly 1/2” long. Clothes moths are actually rarely seen because they hate light and prefer dark spaces like basements, attics, storage chests, and closets.
Unlike food pantry or kitchen moths, clothes moths feed exclusively on animal fibers or fabrics, such as wool, fur, silk, feathers, leather, and felt. Cotton, rayon, polyester, and synthetic fibers are never typically consumed unless they are blended with an animal fiber, such as wool or silk.
Female clothes moths lay eggs in clusters of between 30 and 200, which hatch between 4 and 10 days later into tiny white caterpillars – which immediately begin to feed. The larvae development into a moth can vary from 1-month to as much as 2-years depending on varying environmental factors.
The caterpillars’ feeding is the damage done to fabrics, clothing, sweaters, upholstery, down pillows, wool rugs, etc. as the adult clothes moths do not feed. The adult clothes moth sole purpose is to find a mate to reproduce. For males, death occurs shortly after mating and for females, shortly after laying their eggs. The overall life cycle typically takes 4–6 months, with two generations per year.
Clothes moths treatment requires a thorough inspection to locate all infested items. Larvae prefer dark areas and heated buildings (in winter), and warmer, hot areas of the house can encourage infestation – even year-round.
CLOTHES MOTHS TREATMENT PREPARATIONS INSTRUCTIONS
Treatment:
Two-time Treatment, spaced about 30 days apart. (Customer can additionally dry-clean clothing and store items in mothballs.) Interior treatment, dust behind baseboards, spot treat baseboards. Check carpets and furniture for color fast before treating (make sure they do not bleed). Closets shelving crack and crevice, under beds, and other furniture. Upper corners may need treating if you see webbing from pupation (must warn the client of possible streaking if you do). Repeat all except dusting in 30 days.
Preparation:
- Children and pets out during service and for 2 Hrs.
- House prep. – must be done before technician arrives!
- Clean out all closets (floors, shelves and hanging items) and under beds.
- Pull out clothes drawers, emptying those with woolens, and stack them all facing the same direction.
- Help make baseboards accessible—move small items, toys, etc. (not required to move large furniture.)
- Vacuum all carpets and baseboard areas (paying particular attention to carefully cleaning any shed pet hair that may be present).
- Homeowners can help avoid re-infestation by storing unused woolens in garment bags, plastic “garbage bags”, or in trunks—with moth balls.
- The more thorough the preparation, the more precise we can inspect and treat!
Questions? Call 888-989-8979 for immediate service!
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