Moths
Moth Fly
You need to know…
- Moth flies are small true flies with short, hairy bodies and wings giving them a “furry” moth-like appearance.
- The adults have long antennae and the wings are leaf-shaped, either slender or broad, with the most elementary wing venation, having little more than a series of parallel veins without crossveins.
- Adult Moth flies are typically nocturnal and associated with damp habitats.
- The larvae of the Moth fly live in aquatic to semi-terrestrial habitats, including bathroom sinks; some species are commonly nuisance pests in bathrooms.
- They are commonly known for transmitting various tropical diseases.
Moth Fly
You need to know…
- Moth flies are small true flies with short, hairy bodies and wings giving them a “furry” moth-like appearance.
- The adults have long antennae and the wings are leaf-shaped, either slender or broad, with the most elementary wing venation, having little more than a series of parallel veins without crossveins.
- Adult Moth flies are typically nocturnal and associated with damp habitats.
- The larvae of the Moth fly live in aquatic to semi-terrestrial habitats, including bathroom sinks; some species are commonly nuisance pests in bathrooms.
- They are commonly known for transmitting various tropical diseases.
Common Clothes Moth
You need to know…
- The caterpillars of this moth are considered a serious pest, as they can derive nourishment from clothing – in particular wool, but many other natural fibers – and also, like most moth of its relatives, from stored produce.
- This moth prefers moist conditions, although low humidity will merely slow development. Clothes Moths are small moths whose adults grow to between 1 and 2 cm in length. Their eggs are tiny, most being under 1 mm long and barely visible. A female will lay several hundred during her lifetime; egg placement is carefully chosen in locations where they will have the best chance for survival.
- The eggs are attached with a glue-like substance and can be quite difficult to remove.
- The range of recorded foodstuffs includes cotton, linen, silk and wool fabrics as well as furs; furthermore they have been found on shed feathersand hair, bran, semolina and flour (possibly preferring wheat flour),
- Possible pest control methods
- Clothing moth traps – this step can help monitor the current infestation and prevent males from mating with females
- Dry cleaning – This step kills moths on existing clothing and helps remove moisture from clothes
- Heat (120 °F or 49 °C for 30 minutes or more) – these conditions may possibly be achieved by placing infested materials in an attic in warm weather, or by washing clothes at or above this temperature
- Sunlight – has a limited effect
- Vacuuming – Since the moths like to hide in carpeting and baseboards, this is an important step towards full eradication
Common Clothes Moth
You need to know…
- The caterpillars of this moth are considered a serious pest, as they can derive nourishment from clothing – in particular wool, but many other natural fibers – and also, like most moth of its relatives, from stored produce.
- This moth prefers moist conditions, although low humidity will merely slow development. Clothes Moths are small moths whose adults grow to between 1 and 2 cm in length. Their eggs are tiny, most being under 1 mm long and barely visible. A female will lay several hundred during her lifetime; egg placement is carefully chosen in locations where they will have the best chance for survival.
- The eggs are attached with a glue-like substance and can be quite difficult to remove.
- The range of recorded foodstuffs includes cotton, linen, silk and wool fabrics as well as furs; furthermore they have been found on shed feathersand hair, bran, semolina and flour (possibly preferring wheat flour),
- Possible pest control methods
- Clothing moth traps – this step can help monitor the current infestation and prevent males from mating with females
- Dry cleaning – This step kills moths on existing clothing and helps remove moisture from clothes
- Heat (120 °F or 49 °C for 30 minutes or more) – these conditions may possibly be achieved by placing infested materials in an attic in warm weather, or by washing clothes at or above this temperature
- Sunlight – has a limited effect
- Vacuuming – Since the moths like to hide in carpeting and baseboards, this is an important step towards full eradication
Brown House Moth
You need to know…
- It is often considered a pest due to the feeding activity of its caterpillars.
- The caterpillars feed on organic detritus that accumulates indoors, e.g. behind skirting boards and other similar places. Recorded foodstuffs are for example cereals (including maize, oatmeal, pearl barley and rice) and other seeds, potatoes, furs and dog biscuits
Brown House Moth
You need to know…
- It is often considered a pest due to the feeding activity of its caterpillars.
- The caterpillars feed on organic detritus that accumulates indoors, e.g. behind skirting boards and other similar places. Recorded foodstuffs are for example cereals (including maize, oatmeal, pearl barley and rice) and other seeds, potatoes, furs and dog biscuits
