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What Causes Clothes, Carpet & Pantry Moths in Your Bridgeton, NJ House & How to Get Rid of Them

What are moths? Moths are winged insects that are related to butterflies and both have “scaly wings”. The dust that comes off their wings when they are touched are scales that have come loose. These scales are what gives moths and butterflies their colorful wings. Moths come in different sizes and depending on the variety, smaller moths are found to be the common pests that invade homes. Mottephobia is the fear of moths. This can cause fear to those that suffer with it when they discover they are living with them!

Damage Caused by Moth Infestations

The reason moths are considered pests in the U.S. is because of the damage their larvae can cause to materials, textiles and stored products. When moths make themselves comfortable in your home or business, they can badly damage carpet fibers, fabrics, clothes and other materials. Delicate items can be at risk of damage when they eat away at them. When they damage items you have an emotional connection to, it can be very upsetting. This can be a wedding dress or a quilt that has been handed down for decades. The damage moth’s cause can be costly if it’s done to drapes, carpets and upholstery.

Signs of a Moth Infestation

Clothes moths– Sadly, the first sign will be damaged clothing. You will see irregular holes. The size of these holes will depend on how long the larvae have been left alone to eat the protein-based fibers. These moths will also eat non-protein-based garments if they are stained with food or perspiration is left behind.
Carpet moths– You will see damage to carpet fibers if you’re dealing with these moths. Damage will occur more often in softer pile instead of the hard webbing that holds the carpet together. You will notice patches or holes. Most of the time this damage will be in wool carpets or rugs as well as silk rugs. This will often occur under furniture and along baseboards because moths prefer areas that are darker and undisturbed. These moths can also blend in with the carpet color because they take on the color of the fibers they are eating!
Pantry moths– These moths can be difficult to detect when they are at the egg stage. The larvae will become more noticeable along with the flying adults. These moths will find open food items like cereal, grains and flour. Depending on the type of pantry moth, they will be white or pink with a dark head.

Moth Repellent & Prevention

The best way to avoid damage to your belongings is prevention. Again, the adults don’t cause any damage, but they have the potential to start an infestation with the hundreds of eggs they lay. There are pheromone traps that you can use to determine where they are. Clothes moth traps are sticky pheromone strips that can be replaced as needed to extend the life of traps. Pantry moth traps are special pheromone traps that are safe to use in the kitchen. Mothballs can be used but are toxic. Using cedar is a natural way to repel moths. Keep clothing clean as they are attracted to soiled fabrics, Vacuum regularly and store susceptible clothing in airtight boxes or bags.

Moth Control

If you’re having issues with moths and need professional help, contact Ross Environmental Solutions today. We can handle all your pest control, mold, handyman and standby generator needs!

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