Clothes Moths

The two main species of clothes moth are the Common or Webbing Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella) and the Case-bearing Clothes Moth (Tinea pellionella). Because the larvae are able to digest the animal protein keratin found in hair, wool, fur and feathers, they can cause serious damage to textiles, upholstery, natural history specimens, ethnographical objects etc.

Infestations can start from adults flying in through open doors and windows, from birds’ nests or from infested objects being introduced into the premises or area. The adults shun the light, hiding in dark undisturbed areas and laying their eggs on suitable food sources such as carpets, stuffed animals, woollen costumes and soiled silk. The larvae hatching from the eggs spin silk webbing (see later). One generation normally takes a year to develop with the adults flying in the summer months. In heated buildings, two generations a year can develop, and sometimes even three.

Webbing Clothes Moth

Case-making Clothes Moth

Adults are small with shiny, silvery-gold scales down their backs and are approximately 5-8mm in length with an upright tuft of orange hair on the head and long thin antennae.

Larval stage is whitish/transparent in colour with an orange-brown head and can reach a length of 10mm. The larvae are often hidden by tubes of silk webbing and produce tiny gritty pellets of excreta called frass and the larvae are often obscured or hidden within these tubes. Moth eggs are very small and transparent and difficult to find.

The adult moths are similar to those of Tineola but may show dark spots on the wings.
The larva spins a cocoon around itself, leaving the ends open so that it can use its jaws and legs. It then eats as it crosses the material carrying its case and leaving a trail of grazed textile or fur with some fragments of excreta or frass. The larva moults within the case and when fully grown it pupates within the cocoon and eventually the adult moth emerges to mate and lay eggs.

Adults fly poorly when it is cool, they are usually near the floor and are often seen running over surfaces with a scuttling motion. In warmer conditions they can fly well and may sit on walls. They avoid light and seek dark concealed areas and will attempt to hide when disturbed. Adult females lay up to 100 eggs on fur, feather, skin, wool or soiled silk. There is usually only one generation a year, however, in heated buildings they may increase rapidly with two to three generations in a year. Development is delayed by temperatures of below 12oC. Although the adults are very mobile, larvae do not usually stray far from where they are feeding.

The adults cannot feed but their larvae are voracious feeders and will damage a wide range of protein-based materials, including fur, feathers, bird and mammal skins and wool textiles.

Damage is most often in dark areas, crevices or creases and inaccessible areas. Larvae will cause large irregular holes with quantities of silk webbing tunnels, grazing tracks and gritty frass across the surface of the material being eaten. Larvae prefer soiled materials and damage often looks far messier than that of other pests.

Look for signs of infestation in clothing such as woollen jumpers, suits and socks. Check folded garments and also look under arms, inside pockets, cuffs and collars of other wool garments. Wool carpets are often attacked at the edges and under furniture which is not often moved.

Items in storage or less frequently used are at higher risk of infestation and as they may be undisturbed for months or years are very vulnerable to attack. Attics and basements should all be routinely checked for old, stored textiles such as spare rolls of wool carpet.

The Demi Diamond and Pheromoth sex pheromone lures are very effective for detecting and catching webbing clothes moths.

Pheromoth-. The cardboard Pheromoth Trap is provided ready to use. It will need to be replaced every 3 months or sooner if the glue surface has become ineffective due to dust and fluff. Store unused traps in a cool, dark place until needed.

Demi Diamond- The Demi Diamond has a glue board containing a slow-release pheromone attractant in a plastic case. The boards remain active for up to 6 weeks, after which time they require replacing, or sooner if the lure surface has become ineffective due to dust and fluff . The plastic cases can be reused many times. In warmer rooms traps should be placed up to 2 meters from floor level to be effective. They are very successful to pinpoint the source of an infestation. Unused lure boards are non-toxic and should be stored in the refrigerator to prolong their life.

Place infested objects, such as items of clothing, in a sealed plastic bag and then in a freezer (-20 deg C) for 2 weeks will kill all webbing clothes moths’ eggs, larvae and adults stages. Historyonics Constrain can be sprayed around the edges of carpets and skirtings and inside wardrobes to kill both adults and larvae eat areas of larval activity. Do not spray directly onto clothing but treat the spaces where clothing is stored.

To avoid problems with moth’s good housekeeping is the most effective method of preventing infestations. Regular and thorough cleaning with a vacuum removes dirt and debris that insects live, feed and breed in. It is also important to regularly check unused of clothing and other textiles. If clean, uninfested items are stored in sealed boxes or storage bags this will prevent moths getting in and causing further damage.