Introduction
Moths are flying insects that are close relatives of the butterfly species. Unlike their colorful relatives, moths are usually brown, grey, white, or black in color. Moths are known to rest by keeping their wings in a flat position, and a moth's wings are scaled. They are small in size, but they can damage a large part of your household including clothes and textiles.
#1. Common Types and How to Identify Them
- Brown House Species (Hofmannophila pseudospretella): These are basically scavengers that consume wool most of the time. They can damage carpets and other furniture. A brown house moth measures about 26 millimeters long and has a slender yellow body. Found all over the United States and United Kingdom.
- Common Clothes Species (Tineola bisselliella): An adult is roughly 6–8 millimeters long. The rear edge of their wings is heavily fringed. These moths have brown heads and are creamy white in color. They take nearly 6 weeks to develop into adults from eggs.
- Case-Bearing Clothes Species (Tinea pellionella): Adult moths may be about 6–8 millimeters in length with dark and buff front wings with about three spots. They have a wingspan of about half an inch. This species is rare and found in animal hides and objects.
- White Shouldered House Species (Endrosis sarcitrella): These don't damage fabrics and clothing as much as other moths. Adults measure up to 10 millimeters long and have a white head with a cream color.
#2. Their Diet
Moths are known for consuming nectar, but their diet is not restricted to this. For reproductive purposes, moths consume a variety of liquids to provide themselves with an energy source. They also eat sap, fruits, feces, and rotten animals.
The moths discussed above feed on clothing, hair, fur, leather, furniture, wool, and milk powder. When you start to notice small irregular holes in your clothes, most likely they've been created by moths. Moths are known to search for food during the night time and use their strong sense of smell to detect food easily.
#3. Which Animals Consume Them?
Many animals are known to feed on moths. In particular, nocturnal predators feast on moths, including:
- Owls
- Bats and other flying mammals active at night
- Arachnids (spiders)
- Lizards
#4. How Long Is Their Lifespan?
Moths usually live for a minimum of 8 months, but may survive for a longer period of time. The lifespan of moths depends on the strategy used by them in order to survive winters. It completely depends on the type of moth, but it is usually around one year.
#5. How Do They Enter Your House?
Moths are known for their stealthy ways and are always hungry. They can enter your closets and storage spaces through a variety of ways:
- They can fly in through doors and windows that are left open
- Sometimes they are hidden in clothes and items purchased at a second-hand store or thrift shop
- They can enter through tiny crevices or cracks in your house
- You may find them embedded in rotten or contaminated food
- Some moths eat rice, nuts, grains, and flour, so your pantry may be a source as well
Getting Rid of Moths
Once a moth lays an egg in your house, an infestation can break out very quickly. Moth eggs can easily cling to fabrics and textiles. If you discover an infestation, identify the moth and its breeding material as soon as possible.
A simpler and short-term solution to prevent infestation is to maintain healthy hygiene. Regularly vacuuming bits of food and cloth around your house will go a long way. For more serious infestations, contact a professional pest control expert. Call Rest Easy Pest Control at 888-927-9842 for expert moth control.