Webbing Clothes Moths
The Webbing Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella)
Identifying Webbing Clothes Moths
- Adult clothes moths are golden in colour and their wings are fringed with golden hairs.
- They are small moths, between 10mm and 20mm long with a wingspan of about 15mm.
- The larvae are shiny, creamy white in colour and have a brown head.
- The larvae leave distinctive webbing (like cobwebs) behind on the fabric as they move around, as well as eating holes in clothing.
General Characteristics
Unlike other household moths, clothes moths are not drawn to light, instead they prefer dark or shaded areas, which means they can usually be found in the corners of rooms or under long-standing furniture. Rugs can be of particular interest to them as the larvae can crawl underneath and cause damage from there. The clothes moth can also crawl under skirting boards to feed on any debris that has gathered and then lay its eggs there.
Life Cycle of a Clothes Moth
The female Clothes Moth can lay up to 200 eggs at any one time. Once the eggs hatch into moth larvae they begin to feed. The clothes moth larvae will eat until they have sufficient energy to pupate. This usually takes 2 months; however, if food is scarce or temperature are low, then they can survive for up to 2 years before spinning a cocoon. The larvae will then stay in the cocoon for between 1 and 2 months before emerging as an adult.Contrary to what people say adult clothes moths do not eat, the male clothes moth spends their time looking for females to mate with and the female moth looks for favourable conditions where she can lay her eggs. The adult clothes moth does not cause any damage to clothing, it is the larvae that are responsible for causing the damage to clothing as they are constantly looking for food.
Treating and preventing Clothes Moth Infestations
Treating an infestation of clothes moths can be relatively simple. Domestic treatments include cypermethrin based sprays, such as Pest Expert Formula 'C' Clothes Moth Killer Spray, which are highly effective against moths and other insects. It’s advisable to use these sprays liberally around the edges of carpets, wardrobes, furniture and other vulnerable areas where moths have been seen. This spray leaves a residue which will continue to work for up to 12 weeks, killing adult moths after contact and eggs as they hatch and become larvae.Fumigation with Pest Expert Formula 'P' Foggers, Pest Expert Formula 'P' Super Fumers will kill any adult clothes moths at higher levels and prevent any more eggs being laid.
Once the initial clothes moth treatment has been completed, Demi- Diamond Clothes Moth Traps can be placed in the affected area and these will help monitor moth activity. If moths are being caught traps then it’s wise to complete a follow up treatment. To protect clothing in wardrobes and drawers it is also recommended to use Moth Killer Cassettes or Moth Killer Strips, which kill all life cycle stages for up to 6-months.
Once the whole infestation has been eradicated good housekeeping, such as thorough vacuuming can help to prevent the infestation re-occurring. There are other ‘home remedies’ which can also be helpful, e.g. washing clothes at high temperatures or freezing any infested garments.
Clothes Moth Killer Kits
Our Clothes Moth Killer Kits contain everything needed to eradicate a clothes moth infestation in the home and wardrobe. The professional grade insecticides are supplied by market leaders Pest Expert and are HSE-approved, them to be the most effective clothes moth killers available in the amateur market. Every single clothes moth kit has been designed with customers in mind, meaning application is simple and problem-free. They will be supplied with a step-by-step professional advice sheet.Follow these simple steps to achieve complete Clothes Moth control:
1. Take children and/or pets out of the room prior to treatment. Cover or remove any fish tanks.
2. Empty wardrobes and drawers, inspecting clothing for signs of moth damage or webbing. Discard any heavily infested items and bag up items containing natural fibres to be dry cleaned or laundered on as high a temperature as possible according to the garment label.
3. Apply Formula C+ Moth Killer Spray to the internal panels of wardrobes and drawers. If you have woollen or wool mix carpets in the same room, we recommend that you also apply the spray to the edges of the room and under furniture. Once surfaces are dry to the touch you can replace all unaffected clothing, hanging the Moth Killer Cassettes in between garments in the wardrobe and lining drawers with Moth Killer Strips.
4. Next, place the Formula P+ Fogger in the centre of the room or within the wardrobe and push down firmly on the trigger to activate. Be sure to hold the canister away from you when activating as the gas is released under high pressure.
5. Leave the room and allow 2-3 hours for the gas to disperse and then upon returning, open any windows and doors for approx 30 minutes to ventilate thoroughly.
6. Install moth traps in the room to monitor activity. Fold the plastic holder into a toblerone shape, peel the backing strip off one of the pheromone pads and insert into the trap with the sticky side facing out. Each pheromone pad is effective for 12 weeks.