Moths

Common Name: Common Clothes Moth Scientific name: Tineola bisselliella Size 12mm

Clothes Moth

Biology: On the day of emergence from there pupae, adult females can mate and lay eggs. Each female on average lays 30-40 eggs, either singly or in small groups over a 2-3 week period. The eggs hatch within 4-10 days in the summer but may require up to 3 weeks in the winter. Development time from egg to an adult varies from a typical 50-90 days to between 35 days to 4 years. Females die after all their eggs are laid, usually in about 116 days, whereas males live on average about 28 days. Complete Metamorphosis.

Habits: They attack synthetic fibers only when they are interwoven with natural animal fiber material or are soiled. They feed on materials such as wool, hair, fur, carpets & clothes etc. they have been found infesting beef meat, fish and milk products in addition to furs and woolens. With a heavy infestation larva maybe visibly seen crawling around exposed. The adults do not feed.

Treatment: Before a treatment can be carried out it is best to locate the worst affected areas. Any areas of the home that are to be treated, mainly all carpeted areas, cracks & crevices should be vacuumed or cleaned before any application of insecticide. The treated areas cannot be cleaned or vacuumed for at least 3 weeks, this is to allow enough time for newly laid eggs to hatch and the young moths to walk on the insecticide. It is best not to treat clothes with an insecticide as this may cause damage to garments, all clothes in an affected wardrobe or storage space should be removed and laundered.

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