CLOTHES MOTHS
Clothes moths also referred to as carpet moths are an ongoing nuisance and issue. ” The webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella, and the casemaking clothes moth, Tinea pellionella, are occasional fabric pests. Clothes moths are weak flyers and are not attracted to lights. They tend to hide when disturbed, and for this reason, infestations of clothes moths are not usually noticed until damaged woolens, furs, or feathers are found. Close examination of the objects reveals the presence of silken webs that are spun by the larvae.
The webbing clothes moth is the most common fabric moth. Adults are only about 6-7mm in length. They are golden colored with reddish golden hairs on top of the head. The moth has a wingspan of about 12mm and the wings are fringed with a row of golden hairs. They are usually found very close to the infested items such as in dark areas of closets. Casemaking clothes moths are similar in size and appearance to webbing clothes moths. The wings of the casemaking clothes moth are more brownish than those of the webbing clothes moth and have faint dark-colored spots. Hairs on the head are lighter colored than those of the webbing clothes moth. Larvae of both species are nearly identical, except that larvae of the casemaking clothes moth always carry a silken case with them as they feed. They never leave this silken tube, but enlarge it as they grow. They feed from either end and retreat into it when disturbed. This case takes on the coloration of the fabric that larvae feed on.”
Females of both species of clothes moth lay an average of 40 to 50 eggs over a period of 2 to 3 weeks and die once egg laying has been completed. Males outlive females and continue to mate during the remainder of their life. Eggs are attached to threads of fabric with an adhesive secretion; they hatch in 4 to 10 days during warm weather. Larvae molt from 5 to 45 times, depending on indoor temperatures and type of food available. The larval period lasts from 35 days to 2 1/2 years. Larvae are shiny white with a dark head capsule. They spin webbing as they feed and may partially enclose themselves in a webbing cover or feeding tube, depending on species. Excrement of the clothes moth may contain dyes from the cloth fibers being consumed and thus be the same color. When they are ready to pupate, larvae wander away from their food source to find crevices and other protected sites. In the case of the casemaking clothes moth, pupation takes place inside the case, usually on the fabric.
Pupation lasts from 8 to 10 days in summer, 3 to 4 weeks in winter. Heated buildings enable clothes moths to continue development during winter months. Generally developmental time for the clothes moth from egg to egg is between 4 to 6 months, and there are generally two generations a year.
The larva is the damaging stage of the clothes moth. Both species feed on wool clothing, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, furs, stored wool, animal bristles in brushes, wool felts in pianos, and fish meal in fish food. Synthetics or fabrics such as cotton are fed on if they are blended with wool. Larvae may use cotton fibers to make their pupal cases. Damage typically occurs in hidden or secluded locations such as under collars or cuffs of clothing, in crevices of upholstered furniture, and in areas of carpeting covered by furniture. Fabrics stained by foods, perspiration, or urine are more subject to damage.
PREVENTION
Clothes moths can be controlled by a variety of methods, including:
• Periodic dry cleaning or laundering of susceptible garments, and then after storing them properly separated from infected environments.
• Correct storage- sealed in vacuum bags when not in use for long periods.
• Freezing of garments over a period of 1-2 weeks will kill the eggs and larvae, heating, or fumigating.
• If humidity can be kept low inside buildings, this will create an environment that is not suitable for clothes moth development.
• Good housekeeping practices are of importance including carpet vacuuming with turbo head (rotating brush which shakes the carpet and loosening trapped debris), moving furniture every couple of weeks and vacuuming under, paying close attention to carpet edges and hidden areas.
• Replacing carpets with manmade fiber (synthetic).
Clothes moths may first become established on woolen garments or scraps stored for long periods. If such articles are to be saved, they should be stored properly, or periodically hung in the sun and brushed thoroughly, especially along seams and in folds and pockets. Brushing destroys eggs and exposes larvae. Larvae are strongly repelled by light, and will fall from clothing when they cannot find protection.
Dry cleaning or thoroughly laundering items in hot water / subjecting garment to heat (above 60 degrees for 20 to 30 minutes) kills all stages of insects. This is the most common and effective method for controlling clothes moths in clothing, blankets, and other washable articles. (Because many woolen garments should not be washed in hot water, dry cleaning may be the only suitable cleaning option.) Keeping fabrics clean also has another advantage: insects are less likely to feed on clean fabrics than on heavily soiled ones.
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