About Common Clothes Moths
The common clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) also known at the webbing clothes moth, is a small moth species which is known for causing damage to natural fibres in clothing, carpets and textiles. As such, it is a notorious household pest in the UK.
Textile damage is caused by the juvenile (larval) stages, so regularly seeing high numbers of these small, golden moths in your property indicates that a breeding site is present and that damage to property has likely already been caused and could be ongoing.
Items commonly infested by common clothes moths are clothing such as silk, cotton, wool and cashmere, carpets and rugs containing wool or natural fibres, pillows or duvets stuffed with feathers, fur coats and fur lined garments, and, although not a primary source of food, leather goods made from animal hides can also be damaged by clothes moth larvae. As such, it is a notorious household pest species in the UK.
Pest Solutions are here to help with common clothes moth problems. Get the details of your local Pest Solutions Branch here or call our national advice line on 0800 027 2555 to arrange a FREE survey or a service visit.
Identifying Common Clothes Moths
Adult common clothes moths are typically 6-7mm long, with females slightly larger than males. Adult common clothes moths have a distinctive golden appearance and can be distinguished from similar species by a tuft of red-orange hair on their head. These can be seen lurking around on walls, furniture or textiles where damage has occurred or is occurring.
Larvae are usually more difficult to spot, and moth eggs even more so, with patchy holes in fabric or textiles usually being the first signs that larvae are present. After hatching, near microscopic larvae begin to feed and grow, typically from 1mm-10mm. Larvae appear as small, white/cream-coloured caterpillars with a black head.
Signs of Common Clothes Moth Infestation
Unfortunately, in most cases, common clothes moth infestations are not discovered until it is too late – damage has already occurred to fabric or textiles and may be ongoing.
If a common clothes moth infestation is present within your property, you will likely notice small, golden adult moths resting on walls in affected areas.
Clothing and textiles especially those with natural fibres such as silk, wool and cashmere should be inspected for irregular holes or wearing which indicates activity by common clothes moths. You may also see silken webbing produced by larvae on infested items such as clothing, carpets, curtains or furniture.
Common clothes moth larvae prefer dark places, so often it can be difficult to locate damaged areas if they are behind or under furniture. Damage will often occur in areas that we do not see and can become extensive before the infestation is noticed.
Common Clothes Moth Biology & Lifecycle
The common clothes moth goes through a complete metamorphosis which includes 4 life cycle stages: Egg, Larva, Pupa and Adult.
Adult common clothes moths will lay clusters of eggs on a suitable textile, often in dark areas where they are difficult to detect such as along edges and in corners or seams. Usually within 4-10 days, larvae will hatch and begin to feed immediately which causes damage to the textile in which they are present.
Depending on environmental conditions such as temperature and humidity, the larval stage can last from between 1 month and 2 years, meaning that a significant amount of damage can be done by these pests before adult stages are present.
Common clothes moth larvae will then spin cocoons and pupate for between 10-50 days developing into adults which will then breed and lay eggs, continuing the cycle of infestation. Adult common clothes moths do no feed and, in most cases, will die shortly after reproduction.
Common Clothes Moth Behaviour
Both adult and larval stages of common clothes moths prefer low light conditions with females preferring to lay their eggs in dark places. Due to this, damage caused by larvae often goes unnoticed until it is too late.
You will typically find common clothes moths in wardrobes, drawers and under bedroom or living room furniture. Carpets are often damaged under beds or where curtains touch the floor as this provides a dark harbourage point for larvae to feed undisturbed.
Natural fibres especially wool, silk, cashmere, linen, cotton and furs are preferred, however common clothes moth larvae will also feed on synthetic fibres if blended with natural material and, although not their preferred source of food, leather goods can also be damaged in this manner.
These moths are known to prefer dirty fabric and are particularly attracted to carpeting and clothing which contains human sweat or other organic materials which have been spilled. These traces of dirt can provide nutrients essential for their development.
Risk of Common Clothes Moth Infestation
Infestation of common clothes moths can lead to severe damage of clothing, carpets, upholstery and other textiles. This damage often goes unnoticed until it is too late.
There is a high risk of common clothes moth activity in homes with natural fibres, especially older homes with hardwood flooring or abundant cracks, crevices or other harbourage points where natural fibre particles can gather. These dark and often inaccessible areas are ideal for common clothes moth larvae to feed and grow.
Significance of Controlling Common Clothes Moth
Infestations are likely to spread considerably through properties if the source of the infestation (sites where larvae are feeding) are not located and activity brought under control.
As common clothes moth larvae can hatch in numbers of up to 200 which begin feeding immediately and, with the larval stage potentially lasting months, it is easy to see how significant damage can be caused by these pests.
Once adults emerge, they will breed quickly within a few days. Females lay new eggs and soon the next generation of larvae will begin feeding causing more damage to property.
Controlling Common Clothes Moth Infestations
Getting rid of common clothes moths can be difficult. In most cases, especially if the infestation is severe or long established, professional assistance is often required.
If you find evidence of common clothes moth activity within clothing or other textiles, hot washing at 60°C can be effective in destroying larvae and ensuring eggs are not viable.
What about wool, cashmere or silk? Most delicate garments made of these materials will not be suitable for hot washing. In these cases, freezing effected items can be effective to remove common clothes moth larvae and eggs. Generally, this is effective after 72 hours at -8°C.
Vacuuming carpets regularly, including hard to reach areas, can remove eggs or larvae which could prevent the issue spreading any further. However, as common clothes moth larvae tend to avoid light, they can be in inaccessible areas such as between floorboards or under carpets or rugs. Remember to empty the vacuum cleaner afterwards as moth larvae could continue to feed inside the hoover. Clothes moth traps can interrupt the adult clothes moths breeding process, but are ineffective if you are looking to get rid of clothes moths that are already infesting the property.
Insecticide treatments are also effective to get rid of common clothes moths as they will kill moth eggs and larvae that come into contact with them. Where suitable, insecticide treatments should be targets towards areas where common clothes moth larvae are feeding. Professional expertise is often required.
Preventing Common Clothes Moth Infestations
Preventing common clothes moth infestations in urban setting can be very difficult. Natural repellents such as cedar wood, lavender or old-fashioned moth balls can sometimes be effective deterrents to keep adult moths away.
Regular cleaning and inspection of textile storage areas, cupboards and wardrobes is recommended to reduce the risk of common clothes moth activity.
However, in most cases, if adult moths are being seen in your property, it is too late for prevention and textiles have likely already been damaged.
DIY Pest Control
Can I get rid of common clothes moths myself? For small scale infestations, cleaning effected textiles or clothing can sometimes be effective to remove common clothes moth infestations. However, due to the light-avoiding nature of common clothes moth larvae, it is possible that larvae will remain elsewhere in your property, causing infestation to continue and enabling further damage to property. This ongoing damage can go unnoticed until adult moths emerge, and you realise that you still have a problem.
Amateur use insecticides applied to damaged carpets can be effective, but in most cases, a robust treatment plan involving cleaning, monitoring and insecticide treatment is necessary for complete eradication. Depending on risk of infestation reoccurring, regular treatments may be required.
When to Call a Professional
A qualified pest management professional will be able to establish where common clothes moths are coming from though through inspection and the use of pheromone monitors, and will recommend the best treatment plan including toxic and non toxic control measures for each situation.
Call Pest Solutions to Get Rid of That Pest Today!
Pest Solutions have local Branches across Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Our expert local techs are at hand to attend today. Call now to get an experienced Pest technician visit and get that Pest problem under control swiftly.
Get the details of your local Pest Solutions Branch here or call our national advice line on 0800 027 2555 to arrange a FREE survey or a service visit.
