Have you ever found a random moth flying around inside your Florida home? These pests will come indoors from time to time and are usually let in by people coming in and out. The question is, is that moth inside your home a clothes moth? If it is, your fabrics could be at risk. Here are some things you should know about clothes moths, including how to identify them and what problems they cause inside homes during the winter.
What Are Clothes Moths?
There are two species of clothes moths that you might find inside your home: the casemaking clothes moth and the webbing clothes moth. Both of these invaders are roughly 1 cm long and are yellow or gray in color.
What Attracts Moths To Homes?
Moths are notorious light-seeking pests. If you leave your exterior lights on at night or have an indoor light on before entering your home at late hours, these pests will be more likely to get inside. A simple solution to this is to turn off lights at night or invest in insect-resistant (yellow) light bulbs.
The Destructive Nature Of Clothes Moths
One thing that sets clothes moths apart from other area moths is that they feed on fibrous materials. Some items they are especially fond of are silk, fur, feathers, felt, wool, and leather. These items contain keratin, a fibrous protein that clothes moth’s larvae need to develop into adults. If your home has an infestation of these pests, you will likely find damage to your clothing and other fabric-based materials like carpets, drapes, and towels. Damage may present itself in the form of holes, fraying, or in the case of carpets, bald spots.
Are Clothes Moths Dangerous?
Clothes moths are far from dangerous to humans. They do not bite, sting, or spread diseases. What they are is annoying. These pests reproduce quickly and love to fly around TVs, monitors, and people’s faces. They also congregate around light sources like lamps and chandelier fixtures.
Some Strategies To Prevent Clothes Moths
If your home does not yet have a moth problem, now is the time to take precautions. As we get closer to winter and the temperatures drop, lots of pests, including clothes moths, will be looking to find shelter indoors. To make sure your home does not have trouble, here are some great general pest prevention tips to use.
- Identify holes, cracks, and gaps in your home’s exterior foundation and spacing around utility piping and wires.
- Address damage to window/door screens.
- Make sure your home’s weatherstripping is in good working condition.
- Invest in door sweeps for doors leading out of your home.
- Keep doors and windows closed when they are not in use.
- Do your best to keep your living areas clean and tidy.
- Address moisture issues by repairing leaks, eliminating water build-up, and using a dehumidifier.
- Store clothing you are not using in large, sealable plastic totes.
What To Do To Ensure Clothes Moths Stay Outside This Winter
There is only one way to guarantee clothes moths and other pests stay outside this winter, and that is to get an expert involved. At Green Flag Services, we offer detailed home pest control options to combat winter pests like clothes moths. With just one visit, we will address any issues you are currently having and establish a plan for a lasting defensive barrier around your home to keep future invaders at bay. Contact us today if you have any questions about clothes moths, and schedule your home for a detailed pest inspection.
Tags: home pest control | clothes moths in the winter | preventing clothes moths |
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I love using natural pest control and reducing the toxins in my home. I have had no pest issues since using Green Flag Services for the past almost two years. Great service and very effective and safe treatments.
Jevon , Florida