Clothes Moth

The Webbing Clothes Moth (Tineola bissalliella), is straw colored without any additional markings on the wings. It is quite small ¼ inch long with a wing span of about ½ inch; however, it can cause considerable damage when the Larvae feed on articles containing wool, mohair, fur, hair, feathers or other products of animal origin.

Webbing Clothes Moths are found worldwide and their impact is particularly serious in homes, carpet factories and warehouses, furriers, and museums, where priceless articles are often destroyed.

The larvae are tiny white caterpillars' with brown heads, and make webs or tubes on the surface where they are feeding.

The female Moths lay 100-300 white eggs on the surface of the fabric, and these will hatch into the Larvae in about 5 days. The Larvae will then develop over the next 8 weeks, feeding on the fabric as they do so. The development time will depend on the temperature and will be much longer under cooler conditions.

Generally, the period of greatest Moth activity is in the summer months.

CONTROL

All winter clothes should be cleaned and stored in sealed bags for maximum protection. Heavy infestations may require extensive treatment by a Licensed Applicator. Reinfestation can occur when cleaning is not thorough, or even on articles other than the obvious ones.

Cold storage below 40ºF, or heating over 100º F will also destroy these insects.

The most important aspect of controlling the Clothes Moth lies in careful sanitation such as washing, dry cleaning, and brushing those articles that are likely to be attacked; then storing them in moth proof containers. This is may not be possible when dealing with ancient treasures.

The use of Moth Traps is a common means of identifying the presence and source of Webbing Clothes Moths. When used in a more intensive manner, the same traps can also fulfil the role of a mass trapping system. Correct placement and frequent inspection of the traps is important and will confirm where the source of the problem is. The Pheromone Lures should be taken out of the sealed package and placed as they are on the floor of the trap. Try to do this without unnecessary handling of the Lure, you may contaminate the Lure if your hands are not clean. Hang the Trap in areas where insect presence is inspected and inspect regularly; if there is no catch, move the Trap to a different location. If Moths are being caught, leave the Trap in position and add additional Traps as needed.

The Trap will catch only adult Moths, NOT the Larvae which are the damage causing stage. However, by catching and trapping adult Moths reproduction and development of further Larvae will be effected.

The Lure will be effective for 6-8 weeks, after which it must be replaced.