There are many types of pests that can cause problems around the home. In particular, there are two main kinds that are of most concern: Clothes Moths and Carpet Beetles. These pests prefer to eat keratin – they will munch through wool, hair and feathers, however, they will also attack fibres such as cotton and linen.
Despite their names…. Clothes Moths can eat carpet and Carpet Beetles can eat clothes… so its best to watch out for all of them!
Clothes Moths can attack clothes that have been stored for a period of time or blankets that have been stored for the summer. You may find small irregular holes in your knitted goods where the insect has eaten through the yarn. The insect will leave droppings around the damaged area.
Carpet Beetles will bury deep into the carpet’s foundation and in some cases, the infestation may go unnoticed for some time. Check for loose pile or eaten areas of the carpet and any insect debris such as cocoons or cast skins. You will notice damage to the fibre when vacuuming as the carpet pile will come away in small tufts.
Some good housekeeping practices around the home will help in controlling carpet moths. It is recommended to look under heavy furniture regularly and vacuum underneath these items. You should also vacuum along all skirtings. Any large infestations will require a licenced pest controller to attend in order to spray infested areas. Examine walls, behind furniture and picture frames to see if any cases are present also.
When storing clothes or blankets for several months is is recommended that the clothes are washed or dry cleaned and stored in tightly sealed plastic bags. If eggs are present in some items, washing the clothes in hot water can kill off the eggs.
By maintaining good household practices including regular checks around the home you should be able to stay on top of the little critters!
July 30, 2010 at 11:08 am
Great blog on moths Gary.
Thanks
Dusty
http://www.luvarug.com
victoria BC, Canada