Common Clothes Moth

Common Clothes Moth Scientific name: Tineola bisselliella Size 12mm

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.

Habits: They attack synthetic fibres only when they are interwoven with natural animal fibre 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.

Power Pest Control Harrow Treatment: Before 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.

Good advice from Power Pest Control Ruislip: 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.