Identifying and controlling clothes moths, carpet beetles and silverfish
Clothes moths, carpet beetles and silverfish can be destructive household pests. This information will help you recognise what they look like, understand their habits and prevent clothes damage. It can also help you identify their habits and where they live in the UK. The information will…
Carpet Beetles
Adult carpet beetles only live for 20 to 60 days, but they can lay up to 100 eggs. These eggs only take a week or two to hatch into larvae that can live for up to a year. The larvae are roughly 4-5mm in length, elongate and covered in hairs. They can be found in dark places like ceiling voids, crevices and folds. Their larvae look like fuzzy worms, and the empty skin castings can be seen as a sign of infestation.
Clothes moths
The webbing and case-making clothes moth larvae are small grubs and are rarely seen. The tiny white larvae eat holes through susceptible materials and damaged fabrics sometimes have silken cases or threads on their surface. In nature, clothes moths infest pollen, hair, dead insects and dried animal remains. The adults are small (1cm), buff or straw-coloured moths with fringed wings. They are reluctant flyers and may be seen running over the surface of infested materials. Unlike many other moths, they are not attracted to light and avoid lighted areas.
Case-Bearing Clothes Moth
The case-bearing clothes moth is a worm-like insect with a hard shell. The larvae carries a flattened case about a 1/4- to 1/2-inch long. It feeds on fur, flannel, wool, soiled fabrics, and hair. The adult moths are very small and are rarely seen and rarely seen. The larva uses wool and other fibers to make a portable case to protect itself from harm. The moth is pale silvery-gray-brown color with dark spots.
Cricket
Cricket is not thought to be an insect that eats holes in clothing. However they find body soil, food and beverage stains very attractive. This is often not discovered until after the garment is washed or worn and a sudden hole appears. Also, cricket excrement can stain clean clothes. If you discover an infestation you should rewash your clothing before wearing it in the hope of finding a cricket infestation in your clothes and finding out what the infestation is, you will have to do to stop it dying in the process.
