Clothes Moths Integrated Pest Management in the Home The webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella, (Figure 1) and casemaking clothes moth, Tinea pellionella, (Figure 2) can be fabric pests in California. They tend to hide when disturbed, so you might not notice you have an infestation until after the moths have already dam- aged your fabric, fur, or feathered items. Close examination of the objects will reveal silken webs the larvae have spun. Figure 1. Webbing clothes moth. Figure 3. Casemaking clothes moth with IDENTIFICATION its case attached. The webbing clothes moth is the most common fabric moth. The adult is gold with reddish-golden hairs on the top of its head. A row of golden hairs fringes its wings, which have a span of about 1/2 inch. Because these moths are weak flyers that aren’t attracted to lights, you’ll usually find them close to the infested items, such as in a dark area of the closet. Figure 2. Casemaking clothes moth. The Don’t confuse the clothes moth with dark spots on the wings distinguish it common food- and grain-infesting from the webbing clothes moth. Figure 4. Cases from the casemaking moths, which frequently fly around clothes moth. Cases take on the color of the house. At rest, clothes moths are the fabric being consumed. only about 1/4 inch long, while most head are lighter colored than those of food-infesting moths are about double the web bing clothes moth. that length. Clothes moths usually fly around only the immediate area of Larvae of both spe cies are nearly identi- the house where the infestation has cal, except the larvae of the casemaking occurred, and their flight pattern is clothes moth always carry a silken case dis tinctive—they tend to flutter about with them as they feed (Figure 3). They rather than fly in a direct, steady man- never leave this silken case behind but en- ner as do food-infesting moths. Food- large it as they grow. They can feed from infesting moths also don’t have the either end of the case and retreat into it little tufts of hair on their head. To when disturbed. This case takes on the confirm you have a clothes moth, catch color of the fabric the larvae have eaten Figure 5. Webbing clothes moth larvae one and examine its head with a mag- (Figure 4). Webbing clothes moth larvae with particles of excrement (frass) and nifying glass or hand lens. don’t carry around feeding cases but may other debris. produce patches of silk webbing, which The casemaking clothes moth is simi- accumulate excrement and particles of lar in size and appearance to the web- fabric the larvae are feeding on (Figure 5), Excrement from both the webbing bing clothes moth, although the wings to create temporary feeding tubes. When clothes moth and the casemaking of the casemaking clothes moth are webbing clothes moths move on to new clothes moth can contain dyes from the more brownish and have faint dark- feeding locations, they leave the feeding cloth fibers the moths have eaten, also col ored spots. Also, the hairs on its tubes and webbing behind. making it the same color as the fabric. PEST NOTES Publication 7435 Statewide Integrated Pest Management Program March 2013 March 2013 Clothes Moths LIFE CYCLE ally appears in hidden locations such as Preventing or Reducing beneath collars or cuffs of clothing, in Females of both species lay an average Infestations crevices of upholstered furniture, and of 40 to 50 eggs during a 2- to 3-week Periodically cleaning areas in your in carpeted areas beneath furniture. period and die once they’ve completed home that can harbor clothes moths can Fabrics with food, perspiration, or urine the egg-laying process. Males out live prevent or control infestations. These stains are more subject to damage. females and continue to mate dur ing areas include seldom-cleaned spots such as beneath heavy pieces of furni- the remainder of their lives. An adhe- MANAGEMENT sive secretion attaches the eggs to the ture; along baseboards and in cracks fabric threads. Eggs hatch in 4 to 10 Methods for controlling clothes moths where hair and debris accumulate; in days during warm weather. include periodic dry cleaning or laun- closets, especially those in which wool- dering, proper stor age, freezing, heat- ens and furs are kept; and inside and Lar vae molt 5 to 45 times, depending ing, fumigating with dry ice, trapping, behind heaters and inside vents. on indoor temperatures and the type of or in secticides. Keeping humidity food available. The larval period lasts levels low inside buildings creates an The vacuum cleaner is the best tool for 35 days to 2 1/2 years. Larvae are shiny environment that isn’t favorable for most of this cleaning. After using it white, and their head capsules are dark- clothes moth develop ment. Buildings in infested areas, dispose of the bag’s colored. They spin webbing as they feed, that don’t have numerous tiny cracks con tents promptly, since it can include with the webbing clothes moth creating and crevices will also have fewer eggs, larvae, or adult moths. a temporary silken feeding tube or tun- clothes moth problems. Good house- nel and the casemaking clothes moth keeping practices are important as well. Clothes moths might initially estab- creating a permanent silken case that It is also important to regularly monitor lish themselves on woolen garments larvae carry with them as they move fabrics and closets for clothes moths or scraps stored for long periods. In around. When larvae of the casemaking and their damage so you can take ac- addition to properly storing woolen clothes moth are ready to pupate, they tion when infestations are still small. items (See Protecting Items in Stor- wander away from their food source to age.), periodically hang them in the find crevices. With the webbing clothes Although most people can manage sun and brush them thoroughly, espe- moth, pu pation takes place inside a clothes moth problems themselves, cially along seams and inside folds and silken cocoon, usually on the fabric. some infestations are best handled by pockets. Brushing destroys eggs and a pest control applicator, who has the exposes larvae. Larvae don’t like bright Pupation lasts 8 to 10 days in summer equipment, materials, and experience light and will fall from clothing when and 3 to 4 weeks in winter. Heated to deal with difficult con trol jobs. they can’t find protection. buildings enable clothes moths to continue developing during win ter Monitoring If the infestation is in a closet, be sure months. Generally, developmental time To inspect for clothes moths, look to see to remove and clean all clothes and for the clothes moth from egg to egg is if there are silken tubes in the hidden fabric that were stored inside and thor- between four to six months, and there portions of clothes, such as under col- oughly vacuum and wash the inside are usually two generations a year. lars, or silken mats or patches on mate- of the closet, especially all cracks and rial. Both the silken tubes and mats crevices, before returning the cleaned DAMAGE often have fibers and feces incorporated clothes. Dust insecticides containing The webbing clothes moth is probably into them. Check to see if you can find pyrethroids or pyrethrin (e.g., 0.05% the most commonly encountered clothes any sign of surface grazing of fibers, deltamethrin or 1% pyrethrin) can moth in the United States. The casemak- any holes, or both on the fabrics. With be applied in the cracks and crevices. ing clothes moth is less common and fur, look to see if you have some hairs Always follow the label requirements also of far less economic importance clipped at their base, causing loose fur when applying these dusts. than the webbing clothes moth. and exposed hide. Fully grown larvae of the casemaking clothes moth make Dry Cleaning and Laundering The larva is the damaging stage of the cigar-shaped, open-ended silken cases The most com mon and effective clothes moth. Both species feed on wool that are about 3/8 inch long, often with method for killing all stages of clothes clothing, carpets, and rugs; upholstered pieces of infested material incorporated moths in clothing, blankets, and other fur niture; furs; stored woolen items; an- into the case. The case containing a live washable articles is to thoroughly laun- imal bristles in brushes; wool felt pads larva is often attached to the infested der them for 20 to 30 minutes in water in pianos; and fish meal in fish food. material at on end. that is at least 120°F. Because many They will feed on synthetics or cotton woolen items shouldn’t be washed in blends if these fabrics also contain wool. Pheromone traps, discussed below in hot water, sending your items to a dry Larvae might also use cotton fibers to Trapping, are also very useful for de- cleaner might be the only suitable op- make their pupal cases. Damage gener- tecting clothes moths. tion. Keeping fabrics clean has another ◆ 2 of 4 ◆ March 2013 Clothes Moths advantage—insects are less likely to freezer for several days at tempera- label. Pyrethrin insecticides don’t leave feed on clean fabrics than on heavily tures lower than 18°F, or fu migating persistent toxic residues, which makes soiled ones. the item with dry ice. Before using any them more suitable for clothes moth of these methods, consider if cold or control in many cases than a lot of Protecting Items in Storage heat will damage the fabric.