Here’s What We Learned at the 2022 Pest Conference: All Things Clothing Moths
If you’re in need of some clothes moth pest control and don’t know where to start, you’ve come to the right place. Here you can learn all about clothing moths and how to get rid of them.
You’ll also learn how pest controllers like Done Right Pest Solutions get rid of clothing moths, and if you prefer to try DIY options, learn 14 things you can do if you have clothing moths.
Call Done Right Pest Solutions today for a free quote on all things pest control for clothes moths: 651-342-9489.
Table of Contents
- All about clothing moths
- How do you get clothing moths
- How do pest controllers get rid of clothing moths
- 14 things you can do if you have clothing moths
- Conclusion & next steps
All About Clothing Moths
The common clothes moth or clothing moth comes from a species of fungus moths. The larvae of the moth are what are most destructive. The thrive on wool and other natural fibers and they can also consume stored food such as grains and flours.
These clothing moths are fairly small, between 12 and 14 millimeters and have a bit longer of a wingspan. They are pale tan or yellow moths, sometimes tinted brown or red or orange in different areas of their bodies.
While the moths themselves can be annoying, it is the larvae and pupae stages that destroy the most, or consume the most, of your items.
An adult female lays clusters of eggs, 30 to200 in count, and they adhere to any surface where she lays them like glue. The teeny tiny, practically microscopic, worms hatch 4 to 10 days later hungry. The baby clothing moth caterpillars are often most destructive at night.
This larvae stage can last from a couple of weeks to 2 years, depending on conditions of food consumed and humidity levels. Once a pupae, they spin cocoons and spend another 10 to 50 days inside, developing into adult clothing moths. Inside the cocoon is where humidity matters most, like with fleas.
Clothing moths can eat similar fabrics as some carpet beetles and silverfish, so it’s important to have a pest inspection to determine what pest you may have.
Fun fact: adult female clothing moths prefer dirty fabric on which to lay their eggs.
How Do You Get Clothing Moths?
Clothing Moths can spread through second-hand items. Because the worms or caterpillars are so very small, almost microscopic, they can easily be transported to other homes or businesses. It is only once the damage is noticed or the larger pupa or adults are spotted that one would know they have an issue.
One can also get clothing moths from purchased items that have been infested with eggs or larvae. Store-bought clothing, carpets, silks, anything clothing moths eat. It is important to inspect items for any pest activity.
Because the eggs stick to items like glue, clothes moths pest control with a professional pest control company is always recommended and needed.
How Do Pest Controllers Get Rid of Clothing Moths
A licensed and experienced pest control technician is recommended for serious cases of pest issues, like clothing moths or pantry moths. Clothes moths pest control is an intricate process.
The expert technicians at Done Right Pest Solutions employ a liquid chemical treatment that is EPA and FDA approved for use in homes. It adheres to the surfaces in which it is applied and it should kill any live eggs, larvae, pupae, or adult that comes into contact with the product.
The technician will install monitoring devices, like glue boards, to check the progress of each treatment. Weekly or twice monthly follow-ups may be needed for severe infestations. Our technicians communicate well and ensure your follow-up visits for clothes moths pest control are scheduled.
We also have pheromone traps that can lure any larvae, pupae, or adult to it. Finally, a product that targets clothing moths should also have an Insect Growth Regulator (IGR) within the product. IGRs ensure that the insects cannot reproduce any further, so the life cycle ends there.
Still, because the developmental stages of egg, larva, and pupa can be drawn out to up to 2 years, it is important to have routine pest control employed at your home. There is no quick fix for a clothing moth infestation.
Because the eggs stick to items like glue, clothes moths pest control with a professional pest control company is always recommended and needed. Give us a call today for a free quote: 651-342-9489.
14 Things You Can Do If You Have Clothing Moths
We will always recommend having a professional pest control company like Done Right Pest Solutions treat for your clothes moth pest control needs. However, there are some things you can try that may help reduce the population and will not disrupt a professional pest controller’s treatment method.
1) Identify the moth a clothing moth or a webbing clothes moth. Either of these moths are small. Typically anything over 1 to 1.25 centimeters will not damage your clothing. Clothes moths are generally very small.
2) There are several things to consider when identifying if you have a clothes moth problem and what management of the clothes moth problem you should take or have a professional pest control company treat.
- Some may simply have other moths and mistake them for clothing moths.
- Some may have carpet beetles destroying their clothes and mistake the damage as from clothing moths or webbing clothes moths.
3) Any moth treatment will only be successful if implemented immediately; it’s always best to call a professional first.
4) Clean up your clothes, discard infested or affected items as there could be eggs in them.
5) Clean the clothes you do keep.
6) Deep clean and thoroughly vacuum your closet, perhaps several of times or more.
7) Create unfavorable conditions, like low humidity, by getting a dehumidifier.
8) Continue unfavorable conditions, like adding more light or brighter light to the area.
Still, because the developmental stages of egg, larva, and pupa can be drawn out to up to 2 years, it is important to have routine pest control employed at your home. There is no quick fix for a clothing moth infestation. Give us a call today for a free quote: 651-342-9489.
9) Purchase clothing moth traps, which contain pheromone and not chemical, which won’t deter from any pest control application, should you use a professional pest control company.
10) Get your clothes dry cleaned, which will kill the moths at the heat temperature and will help remove moisture from your clothes.
11) Try freezing your clothes or other materials affected by clothes moths; any temperature below 18 degrees should kill any larvae or pupa, but eggs will need to be frozen at 0 degrees.
- It is recommended to leave the clothes or other materials affected in a freezer for at least 2 weeks.
12) Try heating your clothes to 120 degrees or more. This may require a professional’s help.
13) Because clothing moths emerge from their cocoons with vibrations, like fleas, vacuuming can be a good way to help get rid of some clothing moths. Vacuum regularly and use the hose attachments to get as close as possible to the baseboards, door frames, and window frames.
14) While you can slow activity by creating unfavorable conditions: low humidity, a lot of light, etc. their growth and development will not stop. It is best to hire a pest control company for all of your clothes moth pest control needs.
Conclusion & Next Steps
You learned a lot about clothes moths and how pest control for clothes moths work. You learned how to get rid of clothes moths and how pest controllers get rid of clothing moths. Finally, you learned 14 things you can do if you have clothing moths.
Ultimately, professional pest control for clothes moth is always the best option, but you’re not alone in your pest issue. Call Done Right Pest Solutions at any time for advice and free quotes if you need.
Having clothes moths is stressful, but it doesn’t have to be. Call today 651-342-9489 or email us to get started donerightpestsolutions@gmail.com.
We can’t wait to help solve your clothes moth issue.
Done Right Pest Solutions
Clothing Moth Pest Control Experts
Have you ever had clothing moths or webbing clothes moths? What was your experience? We’d love to hear from you in the comments.
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