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Moths
Moths
Although people often think that moths are drab, dark, and grey compared to "all-the-colours-of-the-rainbow" butterflies, moths actually have a dazzling range of patterns and colours, especially when you view them under good lighting conditions.
At least 730 species of moths have been catalogued for Jamaica, with an estimated 40% of which are thought to be restricted entirely to Jamaica.
Once inside your home or business, moths can severely damage natural fibres in carpets, clothes, fabrics, fur and even leather. Moth caterpillars cause the damage by eating the protein (keratin) found in natural materials like wool, cotton and silk. This puts your delicate items at particular risk of damage.
Signs of a Moth Infestation
The presence of moths in your home can be frustrating. Not just because of the damage they can cause, but it’s likely to be damage to clothes and fabric that you may have an emotional attachment to – nobody wants to find damage on their carefully stored wedding dress, or holes in a quilted throw handed down from a beloved grandmother. The damage these pests can cause to carpets, curtains and upholstery can also become very costly.
What Damage do Moths Cause?
Moths don’t actually eat fabric, their main purpose is to reproduce, it’s their larvae that do all the damage.
Moth found in homes that can cause problems and these moths have differing preferences for materials, which means their larvae cause slightly different damage to fabrics and materials, for example:
- Common clothes moth larvae cause irregular shaped holes in fabrics
- Case bearing clothes moth larvae create smaller, more regular shaped holes in garments
- Brown house moth larvae tend to prefer animal based materials like feathers and leather
- White shouldered house moth larvae scavenge on a wide range of food, so are a little less damaging to textiles
The first thing most people notice is the damage caused to clothes, fabrics or carpets but there are other indicators of a moth infestation:
- Small maggot like larvae (moth caterpillars).
- Silken tubes or cases in which the moth larvae live.
- Pupae (silk cocoons) from which larvae emerge as moths.
- Adult moths often crawling rather than flying.
Another cause of carpet or fur damage can be fur or carpet beetles rather than moths. These textile beetles along with house moths are often referred to as textile pest.
How To Prevent Moths
It can be difficult to prevent moths, but there are practical steps you can take to reduce the risk of an infestation.
Try if you can to deny them access indoors, to help protect your clothing and other delicate items from moth damage.
Moth repellents and other DIY products are available to try and control a small problem on your own.
To guarantee complete control of a large and repeat infestation, professional treatment is the best option.
Moth Prevention Tips
Preventing moths in your home or business must always include ways to deny them entry indoors. Once inside moths will lay eggs in dark and rarely disturbed areas such as wardrobes or cupboards, where clothes or other textiles are stored and could be damaged.
- Use fly screens - or draw curtains at night to prevent moths entering your home through doors and windows.
- Vacuum regularly - ensure hidden areas such as under large furniture or sofas are regularly vacuumed, to try and remove moth eggs before they hatch.
- Keep stored textiles in sealed bags - if you plan to store textiles for a long period of time, keep them in sealed plastic bags or suitcases to prevent moth’s access to lay eggs.
- Clean clothes - moths are attracted to dirty or soiled garments, so always clean clothes thoroughly before storing them.
High Risk Areas For Moth Infestations Include:
- Underneath beds - especially in little used spare rooms.
- Infrequently used cupboards, drawers and wardrobes
- Lofts and Attics - moths can be attracted to bird nests in eaves of homes.
Types of Moths
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