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PESTS:
CLOTHES
MOTHS
 There
are two main types of Clothes moth. The
Common Clothes moth and the Case-Making
Clothes moth. They are less common than
the Carpet beetle, but enjoy similar
environments.
Life-Cycle
- Female
adults lay eggs on materials that will
provide an adequate food source for the
emerging larvae.
- Once
fully fed, the larvae of the
Case-Making moth migrate to areas on a
wall or on the ceiling to pupate,
whereas the Common Clothes moth pupates
within the feeding
material.
- The
pupa of both moths change into adults,
a stage which is
short-lived.
Habits
and Habitats
- They
are attracted to the smell of the human
body, so it is important to wash items
before putting them away.
- They
prefer dark, undisturbed areas, where
the larvae can feed. The Case-Making
moth larvae weave a protective case
from the fibres of the fabric they are
eating. This case offers protection
while they eat.
- They
like to live in environments where
woollen materials, felt, fur and other
materials of animal origin
exist.
- They
do not carry disease organisms harmful
to man or animal, but are pests because
of the damage inflicted on materials in
homes.
Control
- Application
of a residual low-toxicity preparation
to affected areas will control these
moths once they have been identified.
It may be necessary to spray affected
areas to kill adult moths.
- It
is possible for affected clothes to be
placed in a dark plastic bag and then
placed in the sun. Temperatures inside
the bag will rise to a lethal level,
killing the pest.
- When
storing clothes, make sure they are
washed.
Our 25
years' experience ... your peace of
mind
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Total
Pest Solutions
PO
Box 2083, South Plympton
South Australia. 5038.
Phone 1800 503 394
(08) 8297 4981
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