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Home , Anthrenus, Beetle, Clothes moth

E-486 10/08

Pantry and Fabric Pests in the Home

Michael Merchant, Wizzie Brown, and Grady Glenn*

ood and fabric pests can be found at some . Carpet adults are often found on time in nearly every home. Many of these crape myrtles and other ornamental shrubs and flow- F pests are no more than an occasional incon- ers. Once indoors, carpet or clothes may venience; others can cause significant damage to food lay their on woolen carpets or stored fabric items. or personal articles. If an infestation develops in your home, the advice below should help you manage it. Some feed primarily on plant materials Pantry pests and are usually found in stored foods in kitchens and Pests of seeds, grains, and spices pantries. Other insects feed primarily on products con- The most common pests in home pantries taining proteins, such as hair, feathers, pow- are cigarette and drugstore beetles (Fig. 1). The larvae dered milk, woolen fabrics, leather and hides, and of these beetles feed on all kinds of plant material, in- some foods. Pests of animal products are more cluding beans, flour, grains, nuts, seeds, spices, to- likely to infest closets and areas other than kitchens. bacco, potpourri, cottonseed meal, dried flower ar- Both food and fabric pests can be found almost rangements, and dried fruits and vegetables. anywhere in a home. If you find the same kind of The adults are 1/8 to 1/10 inch long with cylindrical, repeatedly in a kitchen or closet, it is good evi- brown to reddish brown bodies. From above, the head dence of a problem. is not visible. These beetles are strong fliers and may Food pests are often brought home accidentally be attracted to light fixtures and windows. The adults from the grocery or pet store. Food can become in- do not feed but lay their eggs on food sources. fested while in the farm or garden or during storage or transport. Although food manufacturers and grocery stores control most food pests with strict sanitation and the judicious use of , it is possible that a few insects will make their way into your home. Insects that feed on animal products may also enter your home from the grocery store, but these are just as likely to enter from outdoors. Clothes moths and carpet beetles occur outdoors in , , and

Professor and Extension Entomologist, and Extension Program Figure 1. Drugstore (a) and cigarette beetle (b) adults Specialists, The Texas A&M System (adapted from R. White, USDA). Merchant grain beetles and Figure 5. Indian meal adult saw-toothed grain beetles (Fig. (photo by W. Brown). 2) can infest birdseed, pasta, dried fruits, sunflower seeds, and cereal and flour products. The adults are brown, about 1/8 inch long, and elongated and flattened in shape. Under a magnifying glass, they can be distinguished from Figure 2. Saw-toothed other grain beetles by their six grain beetle adult sawlike teeth on the margins of (adapted from A.D. The Indian meal moth (Fig. 5) is the most common the segment behind the head. Cushman, USDA). and distinctive pantry-infesting moth. It is the most The adults do not , but their common pest of nuts, cereals, oilseeds, and dried fruit. flattened bodies make it easy for them to enter food It also infests birdseed, dog food, powdered milk, and packages. chocolate and other candies. Rice (Fig. 3) and granary weevils are pests The adult Indian meal moth has wings that are of whole grain or processed grain foods, such as pasta. whitish gray at the base and deep pink or copper colored These beetles are cylindrical and about 1/6 inch long. on the outer two-thirds. The wingspan is about ¾ inch. They have prominent snouts. The larvae are pale, C- The , or immature stage, of the Indian shaped, and legless. Adults of both are reddish meal moth, is creamy white with a brown head capsule. brown to black, but the rice may have four pale The often crawl over surfaces and spin co- red or yellow markings on the wing covers. coons on textured walls or ceilings. Inside the cocoons, they pupate and become adults. Another pantry moth is the Angoumois (AHN- goom-wah) grain moth, which commonly infests pop- corn, Indian corn decorations, and seeds in dried flower arrangements. The adult is creamy white with a wingspan of 5/8 inch. The hindwings are narrow with a fingerlike projec- tion of the tip, which can distinguish these moths from Figure 3. adults clothes moths and other pantry moths. (photo by W. Brown). Controlling pantry pests These beetles rarely penetrate unopened food pack- Nonchemical control. The first step in controlling ages. Rice weevil adults can fly and are attracted to pantry pests is to find and eliminate infested items. lights. Granary weevils do not fly but can enter homes Often all that is needed to solve the problem is to in infested food. remove an infested package of flour, macaroni, or cake Flour beetles (Fig. 4) are also mix. common and destructive pests. But finding the source of an infestation is not always Adult flour beetles are elongated, easy. Infested packages are usually the oldest, most dif- reddish brown, and 1/8 to 3/16 inch ficult to reach foods in the pantry. Even unopened con- long. They feed on beans, cere- tainers may be infested; some pests can easily penetrate als, chocolate, grains, nuts, spices, plastic, waxed paper, and cardboard containers. Before dried fruits, dried milk, and oc- buying an item in the store, check that the bag or con- casionally hides. They tend not tainer is well sealed and undamaged. to feed on whole grains or intact Good sanitation is important. Infestations often seeds, but favor flour and other start in pet foods, spilled grains, or other foods. Clean milled grain products. Food Figure 4. Red flour up spilled food promptly. Discard old packages of grain products infested with flour bee- beetle adult (adopted and pasta. Vacuum and clean pantry areas periodically tles can have a foul odor and from A.D. Cushman, USDA). to remove spilled foods. Remove and clean underneath taste. shelf paper. Caulk around pantry edges and in cracks and crevices to reduce areas where spilled food may col- Fabric pests lect. Pests of woolens, hides, and feathers Most pantry pest problems can be prevented by Beetles in the include the using all dried food within 2 to 4 months of purchase. carpet, hide, and larder beetles (Fig. 6). Although most Spices and other products kept for longer periods of these beetles feed on animal proteins, some also feed should be sealed in airtight containers. on high-protein plant materials. In the pantry, they may Pet food can be a special problem. The most com- be found in powdered milk, dried meats, or pet foods monly infested pantry items are birdseed and dog and that contain meal or other animal byproducts. cat foods. Store pet foods in well-sealed plastic buckets Hide beetles, in the , are a serious or storage containers, and use them promptly. Clean the problem in museums. They attack hides, skins, dried containers thoroughly before refilling them with food. fish, leather goods, and trophy heads. In the home, they Occasionally, mice or other can cause a per- also feed on bacon, cheese, feathers, and pet food. sistent beetle infestation. Hoarded seed and grain in Household infestations of hide beetles can often be abandoned rodent nests can support a small popula- traced to bird or rodent carcasses in attics, old bee nests, tion of pests. Old rodent bait that contains grain also or accumulations of dead insects in windows or light can harbor insects. When controlling rodents, prevent fixtures. When fully grown, these larvae sometimes insect problems by placing the bait where it can be re- bore into the or other hard substances to pupate, trieved and discarded after the rodents are controlled. leaving 1/8-inch-wide holes. Heat or cold treatments can eliminate pests in some Adult hide beetles are relatively large—¼ to 3/8 inch food items such as pet food, bulk grains and beans, and long. They are dark brown to black, with various mark- home-grown dried beans or peas. Put the product in the ings. The larvae are cigar shaped and covered with fine oven at 130 degrees F for 1 hour, or in the freezer for 7 hairs that give them a fuzzy appearance. Hide and larder to 14 days. To prevent an infestation, store foods that beetles in the genus Dermestes can be identified by a pair may attract pantry pests in the refrigerator or freezer. of large, curved “horns” on the last body segment. Chemical control. On rare occasions, Carpet beetles of the genus may be needed to control difficult infestations. Insecti- and the genus Attage- cides can reach inaccessible areas that cannot be easily nus are smaller than Dermestes cleaned; they can also help reduce heavy pest infesta- beetles and are colorfully marked. tions more quickly. Anthrenus and beetles sprays may be applied to crevices and are 1/8 to 3/16 inch long, with round void areas around cupboards, drawers, and pantries. or oval bodies. The larvae are light Before spraying, remove all food products, utensils, and Fig 6. Carpet beetle tan to brownish and about the size containers from the treatment area. Allow the spray to adult (adapted from USDA). and shape of small rice kernels. dry before placing clean shelf paper on the shelves and The larvae are ringed with circular returning food, utensils, or containers to the pantry. tufts of hairs, giving them a banded appearance. Insecticide products that are labeled for use in food- Like hide beetles, carpet beetles may start their in- storage areas generally contain ingredients that are festation in bird nests or accumulations of dead insects short-lived and relatively safe to use in the home. Active in light fixtures. Once established inside a home, these ingredients of these products include pyrethrins, res- beetles can greatly damage furs, methrin, allethrin, and tetramethrin. feathers, woolen articles, other For areas where long-term residual control is de- valuable possessions, and hair sired, look for products containing synthetic pyre- brushes with natural bristles. throids, such as permethrin, esfenvalerate, cyfluthrin, Warehouse beetles of the or bifenthrin. Aerosol fog products can temporarily genus (Fig. 7) look suppress infestations of flying insects, but these fogs will much like black carpet beetles not kill pantry pests in food containers or protected lo- but have light-brownish bands cations. on the wing covers. They feed on Before using an insecticide, always make sure that both animal and plant products. the label says that the product may be used indoors and The bodies of bothTrogoderma in kitchens. Never spray food, dishes, utensils, or cook- and Anthrenus beetle larvae Figure 7. Warehouse ing items with pesticides. beetle larvae (adapted have barbed hairs that can irri- from C. Feller, USDA). tate the digestive tract if the beetles are accidentally in- • On walls: susceptible art objects; wool, mohair or gested. draperies; trophy mounts; and dried flower Clothes moths feed on fur, hair, silk, wool, and arrangements feathers. Rugs and that contain these sub- • In walls, ceilings, and attics: old rodent baits; stances can be seriously damaged. These moths also stored items; bird or animal carcasses; old bird, feed on powdered milk and products containing meat rodent, bee, or nests; and accumulations of or fish meal, such as pet food. Synthetic or fab- dead insects in light fixtures or on window sills. rics are attacked only if they are soiled or interwoven Previous infestations of lady beetles or box elder with natural animal fiber materials. bugs may leave accumulations of dead insects that Clothes moths occur naturally outdoors. In homes, provide food for dermestid beetles. they may be found in accumulations of pet hair or feed- • Other sites: potpourri, spilled pet food in utility ing on dead insects. rooms, old mouse nests under cabinets, and The adult webbing is gold colored decorations containing grains or noodles with a tuft of reddish, hairlike scales on its head and a Nonchemical control. Discard infested items, or treat wingspan of about ½ inch. The larvae of some webbing and protect them from further attack. Clothing can be moths build tunnels of silk in which they feed; others disinfested by washing or dry-cleaning. spin small silken patches from which they graze. Annual or semi-annual “spring cleaning” is espe- The casemaking clothes moth looks like the web- cially effective in controlling clothes moths. Rugs and bing clothes moth, with a wingspan of 3/8 to ½ inch. It blankets should be beaten or shaken vigorously and ex- has brownish wings and three dark spots on each front posed to bright sunlight for several hours. Thoroughly wing. The is creamy white with a brown head cap- vacuuming storage areas and susceptible rugs is helpful. sule. Casemaking larvae get their name from the silken The best protection for valuable stored items is to open cases they spin and drag along as they move. and inspect them often. Clothes moths larvae prefer to feed in protected Treat valuable articles of clothing and other items places such as under clothing collars or in folded sweat- by freezing them for 7 to 14 days; if done properly, freez- ers. The adults also shun light and are rarely seen flying ing is less destructive than is heating. In general, tex- during the day. tiles, furs, feathers, leather, paper, and wood can be One of the best ways to control these pests is the frozen safely. Before placing articles in the freezer, en- old-fashioned practice of “spring cleaning,” or periodi- close them in airtight polyethylene bags with as much cally shaking and airing rugs and woolens outdoors in of the air removed as possible. This reduces the chance the . Clothes moth larvae are very sensitive to light of ice forming directly on an article and damaging it. If and low humidity. you are concerned about possibly damaging a valuable item, contact a local museum with experts in the con- Controlling fabric pests servation of historical artifacts. Eliminating clothes moths and dermestid beetles Clothing that is susceptible to insect damage should can be a challenge. As with pantry pests, the first step be stored in airtight boxes or garment bags. Cold stor- is to find and eliminate all feeding sites. Unfortunately, age can effectively protect furs and other valuable items there may be many points of infestation. Check these from attack. potential problem areas: Chemical control. Cedar closets, cedar chests, and • In drawers: leathers, felt fabrics, folded , pieces of cedar wood placed in storage areas may repel woolen blankets, natural-hair art brushes, and other insects for a short while, but they do not guarantee pro- susceptible materials tection. Vapors from cedar wood are effective only when • In closets: woolen sweaters, shirts, and jackets, the wood is freshly cut or chipped and the container is especially under the collars; furs; feather dusters sealed well. Few cedar chests more than 2 or 3 old or other feather items; felt hats; and stuffed trophy produce enough vapors to kill pests. mounts Naphthalene and paradichlorobenzene (PBD) prod- • On the floor: woolen rugs, carpet pads made of ucts are more effective than is cedar, but they must be animal hair, and pet hair accumulations along sealed tightly with the clothes. To kill moth larvae, use baseboards and under furniture 1 to 2 pounds of repellent per 100 cubic feet of air. Be- • Furniture: old chairs or sofas stuffed with cause the fumes from PDB crystals will soften or melt horsehair; accumulations of pet hair certain plastic products, be careful when using them with plastics. Insecticide sprays can supplement good sanitation Other traps, such as the Storgard® and Pantry and other measures. To help keep pests out of the home, Patrol™ traps, lure pests with food or other attractants spray around windows and light fixtures. Closets with in addition to . These traps are useful in carpet beetle or moth infestations may also be treated. kitchens and pantries and are available from the manu- Remove the clothing before spraying, and let the spray facturers online or through local pest control providers. dry completely before putting items back in the closet. Sprays also can be applied along the edges of car- where pet hair and insects accumulate, or on the undersides of carpets or carpet pads. Because most clothing pests live in protected loca- tions, aerosol insecticides (“bug bombs”) are not very effective for treating these pests. Often the best choice for controlling carpet beetles and clothes moths is to get help from a pest control professional.

Monitoring Figure 8. Sticky traps used for monitoring (M. Merchant). Some pests can be detected with traps or other devices. Pheromones are special hormones that insects produce to communicate with one another. Sticky traps (Fig. 8) can help you monitor the suc- There are pheromone lures for several storage pests, in- cess of your control program. They are available cluding cigarette beetles, drugstore beetles, Indian meal through pest control companies, do-it-yourself pest moths, Angoumois grain moths, warehouse beetles, and control shops, and some grocery or home improve- webbing clothes moths. ment stores. Sometimes sold as roach “hotels,” sticky Although pheromone traps do not control pests, traps contain glue that captures crawling insects. When they can help detect infestations and pinpoint problem placed on the closet floor or on closet shelves, they trap areas. Pheromone traps are generally most effective for dermestid beetles and other crawling pests. flying insects. Acknowledgment Kim Schofield, Molly Keck, and Glen Moore re- viewed this publication.