ABOUT MOTHS

There are 2 different types of these pests that we need to be concerned about. Both are types of clothes moths.

TWO TYPES OF TEXTILE-EATING MOTHS

The Webbing Moth (Tineola bisselliella). The adult of this species is about a half inch long and yellowish beige in color.

The Casemaking Moth (Tinea pellionella). The casemaking moth is similar in size but is brownish and has three dark spots on its forward wings.

Myth—I only need to worry about moths if my furnishings are made of wool. 

In past years, textile-eating moths were common, due to the large amount of wool fibers in clothing and home furnishings. The popularity and widespread use of synthetic fibers has led to the incorrect assumption that damage from these insects is a thing of the past.

An important fact to remember about moths is they can digest protein fibers such as wool, silk and specialty hair fibers, but these insects will also find and eat protein substances found on synthetic fibers. This means carpets, rugs, draperies, and upholstered furniture made from nylon, acrylic, polyester, acetate, and other synthetics can harbor these insects if they contain food or beverage stains, blood, urine, perspiration or other sources of nutritional protein.

An interesting fact about these textile-eating moths is that unlike other varieties, they are not attracted to bright lights and tend to seek darker areas or dim light. This makes it very difficult to detect them in dark closets and drawers. It is most likely that you will notice fabric damage or larvae before you see the moths themselves.

HOW TO PREVENT MOTHS

One of the major hurdles in preventing damage is consumer education about moths. People are home less often than ever before (post COVID). They have less time to care for their rugs and carpets (for example, vacuuming) and even less to inspect dark places such as under furniture, etc. Rugs, carpets, and wool clothing and wall hangings get dirty, and they can become lying and hanging targets.

The most effective way to prevent a moth infestation and inhibit growth is to keep textile furnishings clean. Spills should be removed immediately. Carpet, rugs, draperies, upholstered furniture, etc., should be brushed or vacuumed regularly, as insects do not generally attack clean materials.

It is especially important, when preparing rugs for long term storage (6 months to several years), that they be kept safe from infestation. Never attempt to store a dirty rug.

At ABC, we are always concerned about moths for our customers and our cleaning of wool rugs includes a final rinse which rends the wool unappetizing to these creatures. This 'retardant' feature, combined with a thoroughly cleaned rug will almost completely guarantee prevention of damage during storage.

HOW TO GET RID OF MOTHS?

Please continue reading here to find out about the most effective methods and types of insecticides for getting rid of moths in your home furnishings, and how ABC can help.

CARPET BEETLES

Adult Varied Carpet Beetle

Varied Carpet Beetle Larva

Adult Black Carpet Beetle

WHAT ARE CARPET BEETLES?

Carpet beetles technically belong to the order of Coleoptera (Beetles) and the Family Dermestidae. The word dermestidae comes from the Greek 'derm' meaning skin and 'edmenai' to eat, literally a skin eater. They are small pests that can cause a large amount of damage if left unattended.

WHY ARE THEY CALLED CARPET BEETLES?

Carpet Beetles got their name because years ago most carpeting was made of wool and was the most common food source for the beetles. Today, most wall-to-wall carpets are made of synthetic fibers and carpet beetles will not feed off fibers which are not natural. (They can, however, cause damage when eating food sources on a synthetic fiber such as urine, sweat, food particles, etc.)

ADULT CARPET BEETLES

Adult carpet beetles themselves feed on pollen from garden plants with white or cream flowers such as Spiraea and Viburnum, as well as Crepe Myrtle and Buckwheat. After mating, the females require the nectar and pollen of these flowers in order to lay eggs.

Adult carpet beetles do not bite and are harmless. They are most often seen in the summer months as they seek sites for egg laying. After she lays her eggs, the female will die.

CARPET BEETLE LARVAE

It is the larvae that causes the damage inside buildings when the adult females seek sites to lay their eggs on likely food sources for their larvae. The larvae are most active in the fall before they hibernate for the winter.

HOW DO THEY GET IN THE HOME?

Although the female beetles will often lay eggs outside in abandoned bee, wasp, and bird nests, they are able to fly well and will come into the home through doors, windows, air vents or cracks and can be brought in accidentally on cut flowers. It is also possible for them to cling to pet hair and your own clothing as well. They have no problem coming down through chimneys, plumbing openings, and electrical conduits as well.

Once in the home, they like dark areas such as closets, behind baseboards, under furniture, under area rugs, and along the edges of wall-to-wall carpet, etc. The larvae will feed on any natural fabrics, such as wool carpets and rugs, wool fibers of any kind, skins, furs, feathers, silk, leather bindings of books, stuffed animals, and more.

DO THE LARVAE BITE?

The larvae of the different types of carpet beetles have long, hard hairs. If contact occurs, a susceptible human could feel as if he or she were bitten. A reaction is usually not serious but can actually build up over time.

If the larvae crawl across a person, the marks the hairs leave will usually appear in a line. The larvae are sometimes known as ‘woolly bears’ (not the caterpillar) and even their shed hair can occasionally lead to a severe human skin irritation known as Carpet Beetle Dermatitis. The hair can also cause reactions in the respiratory tract of some people.

TYPES OF CARPET BEETLES

Please continue reading here for information on types of carpet beetles, how you can eliminate them yourself, how to avoid them, and how ABC can help, complete with photo illustrations.