CLOTHES MOTHS

If you are finding irregular small holes in your favourite woollen jumpers, it is
an indication that you might have a clothes moth infestation

What Are Clothes Moths and Why Are They a Problem?

Clothes moths are common household pests that can cause extensive damage to fabrics and textiles.
These pests target natural fibres such as wool, silk, and fur,
causing holes and damage to clothing.

Cloth moths have muted, sandy coloured wings decorated with delicate patterns, often featuring small dark spots. Their bodies, measuring 6-8 mm in length and a wingspan of 12 mm, are covered in fine scales that give them a fuzzy appearance. Their most striking feature is the long antennae,
which curve backwards over their bodies. While predominantly beige or golden brown, cloth moths can exhibit various colours,
ranging from pale cream to darker tan, allowing them to blend seamlessly with fabrics and carpets. Adult cloth
moths are weak flyers and prefer to scuttle across surfaces rather than fly.

Two primary species of clothes moths are common in Australia, the webbing clothes moth and
the case making clothes moth.

Both cloth moths species cause similar damage

Case making clothes moths, or Tinea pellionella, share similarities with their webbing counterparts but have some unique characteristics. They have mottled wings with dark spots, making them more speckled. The case-making moth derives its name from the portable, tube-like cases that its larvae construct and carry with them as they move and feed.

The webbing clothes moth, scientifically known as Tineola bisselliella, is the most prevalent fabric pest. Adult webbing clothes moths have a distinctive appearance, featuring a uniform, golden buff-coloured body lacking any distinctive patterns or markings, with a small clump of reddish hairs on the top of their head. Their wings are fringed with a row of hairs. 

Adult Case Making Cloth Moth

Cloth moth damage

Woollen Jumpers Damaged by Cloth Moths

Adult Webbing Cloth Moth

Signs of Clothes Moth Infestation

The most common sign of clothes moth infestation is the appearance of small, irregular shaped holes in clothing, particularly items made from natural fibres such as wool, silk, cashmere, and leather. These holes start tiny but grow larger over time as the larvae continue to feed.
You might notice silken trails, thinning fuzzy patches, or loose fibres around carpets, curtains, and upholstery edges. You may
also spot an adult moth fluttering about. However, the eggs and larvae are tiny, and you’re unlikely to see them.

Cloth moth larvae
Webbing cloth moth larvae
Case making cloth moths larvae
Case making cloth moth larvae

Cloth Moth Larvae

Cloth moth larvae typically measure 3-13 mm long and have a distinctive cream to off-white colouration that helps them blendwith the fabrics they infest. Their soft, elongated bodies are segmented and slightly flattened, with a characteristically darker head capsule
that houses powerful chewing mouthparts.

What sets case making and webbing cloth moth larvae apart is their ability to spin silk to create protective cases or webbing.
Case making moth larvae construct portable, tube-like shelters from fabric fibers. In contrast, webbing
moth larvae produce silken tunnels as they feed.

Cloth moth larvae feeding habits

It is important to know that the larval stage of clothes moths causes damage to fabrics. The larvae have an insatiable appetite for keratin-rich fibres such as woollen jumpers and almost any other type of natural fibre. The adult moths have a short lifespan of only two to three weeks
and do not eat during this time. The nearly undetectable larvae are responsible for the destruction of clothing.

Clothes moth larvae prefer to feed in dark, undisturbed areas where woollens and furs are kept for an extended time.
They are particularly drawn to soiled or stained fabrics, which often contain additional nutrients from
perspiration, food residues, or body oils.

Clothes moths prefer dark, undisturbed areas with moderate humidity levels. Some of their favourite hiding places include: wardrobes drawers and chests storage boxes, under furniture attics and basements.
These locations offer protection from light and human activity, making them ideal for breeding and larval development. Clothing stored for extended periods without use, such as winter wardrobes or rarely worn items, is particularly vulnerable to cloths moths infestation.

There are four stages in the clothes moth life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Female moths lay approximately 40-50 pinhead-sized eggs on suitable materials. These eggs hatch into fabric-eating larvae, depending on environmental conditions, within 4 to 21 days. Depending on temperature and food availability, they can feed for anywhere from two months
to over two years. They undergo multiple moults, growing and developing within their silken cases or tubes.

Controlling Clothes Moths

 

Controlling a clothes moth infestation involves consistent cleaning, targeted treatments, and preventive measures. While gaining control over clothes moths may take time, persistence and vigilance will lead to the desired result. In cases of severe infestations, hiring a professional pest control service may be necessary to ensure the complete elimination of hidden larvae.

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