What to do for clothes moths. The larvae feed on natural fibres such as cashmere. Freeze any clothes or belongings that show signs of moths. Understanding clothes moth infestations. Clothes moths have an average life cycle of between 60 and 90 days and during this lifespan females can lay around 50 eggs.
According to blake newton an extension entomologist at the university of kentucky moths lay eggs on fabrics caterpillars hatch from those eggs and then the caterpillars munch on the clothing. The damage clothes moths can do. Do moths eat clothes. The larvae of both clothes moth species will feed on and potentially damage a variety of household items that have keratin which they need to develop including the following.
Do moths eat clothes. Clothes moths and pantry moths can be a real pest when they start eating your woollens and getting into your flour. They hatch within a few weeks of being laid. The romans were probably responsible for the spread of pests to europe as they expanded their empire evidence of infestations of wool by clothes moths exists in roman archaeological material.
The tineola bisselliella or clothes moths and the tinea pellionella or casemaking clothes moth are two such species. Items made with animal fur or animal byproducts such as silk leather or wool. Keep these items in the freezer for at least 24 hours to make sure any larvae are killed off. References to clothes moths are speckled throughout the historical record.
Moths dont eat clothes. Once youve identified the moth youll need to check your clothes for damage. It might come as a surprise to learn that the moth itself does not eat clothes and cause the damage but the moths larvae. When they first hatch theyre only a millimetre long and they burrow into your clothes so you don.
Wash clothes that contain larvae or eggs. Adult moths lack the mouthparts needed to eat your clothing lint. Clothes moth life cycle clothes moths like many insects go through a full metamorphosis from egg to larva to pupa cocoon and finally to flying adults.