Moths are devouring clothes and carpets this year. Figures released by Rentokil shows that call outs to pest controllers have more than doubled throughout the months of February and March in 2017. This is due to the mild winter and early Spring according to David Cross, the Head of Rentokil’s Technical Training Academy. As we enjoyed the weather over the Spring and Summer period, it is more likely that residents will experience a moth invasion throughout the year.
“Freezing clothes or having them dry-cleaned are practical methods of Pest Control when dealing with contained populations of moths on infested items. However, if you can count five to six moths in a room then it’s likely you’re experiencing a serious infestation, and I recommend that professional help is sought.”
– Mr Cross, Head of Rentokil’s Technical Training Academy.
The higher temperatures experienced this year have helped quicken the moths’ reproductive cycles, which then leads to them attacking your wardrobes and carpets in greater numbers. These insects can breed up to three generations a year if the breeding conditions are suitable. However, in Winter, moths are a lot less active as they spend the colder months as pupae or remain as eggs in dusky, uninterrupted places in our homes. However, advances in central heating represent a curve ball to the natural winter slump in moth activity
Clothes and carpet moths – what you need to know
Clothes moths larvae are generally around a centimetre long and creamy white in colour with a brown head. Adult moths tend to be around 6-8mm long and have straw-coloured wings with absolutely no markings. The larvae feed on protein found in natural materials such as silk, wool and fur. Rough edged holes in clothing, or bare patches on carpets and rugs are a definite sign that the clothes moths are hard at work. The moths are easily identified, as they tend to run rather than fly away.