2016 Virginia Tech 3104-1576 (ENTO-191NP)

ClothesMoths

EricDay,DepartmentofEntomology,VirginiaTechDescription:TwospeciesofClothesMothoccurinVirginiaanddamagewoolandanimalproducts.The Webbing Cloths Moth, Tineola bisselliella, is commonlyfound under wool carpets and other situations where wool orhidesrestona floororasurface. The larva isacaterpillarthatcan be up to ½ inch long and has a shiny hairless paleappearance.Oftenthecolorofthedyeonthewoolonwhichtheyfeed is visible through their bodies. In addition to leavingwebbingwheretheyfeed,theyalsomakewebtunnelsandleavedroppings.Theadultisaverysmallyellowmothwithlonghairsonthehead.TheCasemakingClothesMoth,Tineolapellionela.Iscommonlyfoundonyarn,woolclothes,woolrugs,andanimalhidessuchaslambskinrugs.Thecaterpillarsareupto½inchlongandcoverthemselveswithbagsthattheymakefromthematerialtheyfeedupon. This bag oftenmatches the color. The first indication ofcasemakingclothesmothsareoftenitstinycaterpillarscrawlingout of boxes and bags that containwool or hidesmaking theirpresence known as little moving spots on the wall. The adultcasemaking clothes moths are very small, yellowish to slightlygold-coloredmothswithnarrow,slightlypointedwings.Theyarenotattractedtolightsandusuallyhidewhendisturbed.

Habitat: Inhouseswherewool isavailable;also, in thewildondeadanimalshides.LifeCycle:Femaleclothesmoths lay40-50eggsthathatch in4to21days.Thelifecycleisabout65to90days.ClothesmothsareintheorderLepidoptera,familyTineidae.TypeofDamage:Larvaeliketofeedonwoolclothsorrugs.Alsowill feed and damage objects made from animal hair or hideswith hair still attached. Clothes moths can feed on woolproducts, such as clothing, carpets, rugs, furs, fabrics, blankets,

andpianofelts.Theymayfeedonfabricsofvegetableorigin(cotton)ifthefabricsaremixedwithwoolor soiledwith foodparticles.Clothesmothscandoseriousdamage to smallor largewoolrugs. The caterpillars can feed on the underside of the rug for a long time–doing considerabledamage–before theyaredetected. SeealsoVirginiaCooperativeExtensionFact SheetonCarpetBeetles.Controloptionsforbothtypesofclothesmoth:Cleaning:Cleanallwoolclothingandblanketsatleastonceayear.Followallprecautionsonlabelfor suggested cleaning methods. Inspect all objects for cloths moths as well as carpet beetles.Completelyvacuumwoolcarpetsandrugsandbesure to liftupand inspect theundersides foractivity. Move furniture if necessary to get to all sections, as furniture can make a protectedlocationforclothesmoths.Trapping:Trapsbaitedwithapheromonewillactasanearlydetectionforclothesmothsandmyprovidecontrolinlimitedinfestations.DryIce:Iftheinfestedwoolitemscanbeplacedanairtightcontainer,consideraddingdryice.TheCO2 gas given off by the icewill fumigate and kill the clothesmoths. Do not place the dry icedirectlyontheclothing.Storage:Storewoolitemsinatightchestorairtightplasticcontainer.Considerusingmothflakesormothballsandplantoairouttheitemsinthefalloutsidetogetridofthesmell.Woodenchestslinedwith eastern red cedar,Juniperus virginiana, are promoted for clothesmoth control. Thiscedarcontainsaspecificoilthatkillssmalllarvaebutnotfull-grownlarvae.Italsowearsoffafterafewyears.Tightfittingwellmadechestswillkeepouttheclothesmoths.Freezingandheating:Clothsmothscanbekilledbyplacingthewooliteminanovenat120°Ffor30minutesoralldayinahotcarorvanonasunnymidsummerday.Alsoclothesmothscanbecontrolledbyplacingtheminafreezerthatislowerthen18°Ffor24hours.FurandFurniture:Inspectallfurcoatsforclothesmothactivityandhaveprofessionallycleanediffound infested. Some furniture ismadewithanimalhairor filledwithwool.Check for signsofinfestationandconsiderfumigatingwithdryiceinalargeplasticbagifclothesmothsarefound.InterestingFacts:Clothesmothswillnotfeedoncarpetsmadefromsyntheticmaterial.Replaces:VCEFactSheet:3104-1576