Identifying Moth larvae quickly and effectively ensures the correct treatment in terms of insecticides, delivery methods and areas that need treating is carried out. In this article I will outline the differences between the common house moth’s larvae.
Common Clothes Moth Larvae
Colour – Whitish in colour with a brown head.
Size - 10mm - 12mm.
Time at larval stage – 2 months – 30 months (depending on factors such as humidity and temperature)
Primary food source - Keratin
Habits - Often found on materials with a high Keratin content stored in dark, cool places (such as wardrobes, drawers, closets etc.)
Other characteristics – Common Clothes Moth Larvae favour fabrics with a high Keratin content in order to construct their cocoons quicker and transition to the adult stage of the life-cycle.
Treatment – The Common Clothes Moth larvae can be killed with various insecticides including Cypermethrin, Permethrin and Pyrethrum. The comprehensive treatment follows the principal of combining active ingredients and delivery methods within a restricted time frame, providing quick and wide-ranging knockdown across all stages of the Clothes Moth lifecycle and maintaining long-lasting control.
Case Bearing Carpet Moth
Colour – Whitish in colour with a reddish-brown head.
Size – 9mm.
Time at larval stage – 1 month – 12 months (depending on factors such as humidity and temperature)
Primary food source - Keratin
Habits - Often found on carpets with a high Keratin content, under furniture and in dark places.
Other characteristics – Case Bearing Moth Larvae favour materials with a high Keratin content in order to construct their cocoons quicker and transition to the adult stage of the life-cycle.
Treatment – The Case Bearing Moth larvae can be killed with various insecticides including Cypermethrin, Permethrin and Pyrethrum. The comprehensive treatment follows the principal of combining active ingredients and delivery methods within a restricted time frame, providing quick and wide-ranging knockdown across all stages of the Case-Bearing Moth lifecycle and maintaining long-lasting control.
Tapestry Moth
Colour – Yellowish-brown with dark outlining markings.
Size – 10mm.
Time at larval stage – 70 to 90 days (depending on factors such as humidity and temperature)
Primary food source - Keratin
Habits - Often found on fabrics with a high Keratin content, under furniture and in dark places.
Other characteristics - Tapestry Moth Larvae favour materials with a high Keratin content in order to construct their cocoons quicker and transition to the adult stage of the life-cycle.
Treatment – The Tapestry Moth larvae can be killed with various insecticides including Cypermethrin, Permethrin and Pyrethrum. The comprehensive treatment follows the principal of combining active ingredients and delivery methods within a restricted time frame, providing quick and wide-ranging knockdown across all stages of the Tapestry Moth lifecycle and maintaining long-lasting control.
Indian Meal Moth
Colour – The colour of larvae is dirty white – colour can depend on the food source.
Size – 10mm.
Time at larval stage – 2 weeks – 42 weeks (depending on factors such as temperature)
Primary food source – Pythogenous Food products
Habits - Often found dried food such as seeds, cereals or dog food. However, can also be found in dried plants and dried flower wreath arrangements.
Other characteristics – Larvae may be seen as they wander in search of a place to pupate, or pass through the pupal stage.
Treatment – The Indian Meal Moth larvae can be killed with various insecticides including Cypermethrin, Permethrin and Pyrethrum. The comprehensive treatment follows the principal of combining active ingredients and delivery methods within a restricted time frame, providing quick and wide-ranging knockdown across all stages of the Indian Meal Moth lifecycle and maintaining long-lasting control.
Mediterranean Meal Moth
Colour – Small whitish or pinkish larvae, with a very hard and dark coloured head and small black spots on the body.
Size – 13mm – 16mm.
Time at larval stage – 2 weeks – 4 weeks (depending on factors such as temperature)
Primary food source – Pythogenous Food products
Habits - Often found dried food such as seeds, cereals or dog food. However, can also be found in dried plants and dried flower wreath arrangements.
Other characteristics – Once hatched they immediately spin silken tubes. When fully grown, the larvae will leave the immediate area where they were feeding and wander about in search of a location to spin silken cocoons.
Treatment – The Mediterranean Meal Moth Larvae can be killed with various insecticides including Cypermethrin, Permethrin and Pyrethrum. The comprehensive treatment follows the principal of combining active ingredients and delivery methods within a restricted time frame, providing quick and wide-ranging knockdown across all stages of the Mediterranean Meal Moth life-cycle and maintaining long-lasting control.