The Common Clothes Moth (Tineola biselliella) or carpet moth as it is commonly known, has become a major pest in our area over the past few years. I have read many articles, both in print and on the internet and have been amazed at the amount of contradictory, conflicting and wrong information that is out there.
Through the carpet cleaning side of our business, we have encountered and successfully tackled carpet moths for many, many years and can offer some advice and reassurance.
What Are They?
The Common Clothes Moth (Carpet Moth) is small, typically with a wingspan of 14 to 18 mm and is usually a silvery bronze colour. It is a widespread moth found in most of Eurasia and has now been accidently spread by mankind to Australia. The moths themselves do not eat our fabrics, it is their larvae that cause the damage.
Unlike most moths they are not drawn to light. In fact, both adults and larvae shun bright light. The adult female seeks out dark, undisturbed places in which to lay her eggs, usually around the edge of carpets, behind curtains or under furniture e.g. sofas, sideboards and beds, or of course, suitable clothing. The eggs usually hatch in 2 to 3 weeks but in ideal conditions the whole life cycle from egg to adult can take as little as 8 weeks, enabling the carpet moth to produce several generations in a single year. The rate at which they reproduce is governed by temperature, humidity and availability of food. The larvae feed on keratin, a protein found in wool, silk and other natural fibres including cotton, linen and fur. They can tolerate mixed fibres and we have seen countless 80:20 wool/nylon carpets that have been seriously damaged. As for water, there is enough in the food they eat to sustain them without the need to drink.
Why Have Cases of Moth Infestation Become so Common?
No doubt these moths have caused problems as long as humans have used natural fibres, the problem has become noticeably worse in recent years. The reason appears to be a combination of factors, mostly due to our modern lifestyle. Heated houses allow the moth to breed more quickly, especially during winter months when previously they would have been killed off.
I personally have noticed that our company has been asked to deal with many more cases since 2007, the first of a run of poor summers when the atmospheric humidity would have increased significantly compared with the early 2000s when we enjoyed a run of good summer weather.
Such was the increase in the problem, I recall re-ordering stock of moth treatment in late 2006. For an unknown reason, 10 times the amount ordered was delivered! Given we were in the midst of a really busy period, rather than waste inordinate amounts of time, I swallowed a bitter pill and found storage for an estimated 10 years supply! Amazingly, we re-ordered just 18 months later!
How to Identify the Problem
Firstly, you need to identify the problem. Occasionally we see the adult moths flying around but they actually don’t like flying, preferring to scuttle away without taking to the air, somewhat like pheasants or partridges when you drive towards them in a car. More frequently, the more obvious indication that moths are there, is the presence of the pupal cases which look like grains of rice, found in the same dark undisturbed areas that the female chose to lay her eggs. Of course, in advanced infestations, you may become aware of bald patches where the larvae have chomped through the carpet fibres!
It is a problem that needs attending to, as matters will only get worse. The adult female can lay as many as 200 eggs during her life, therefore in good breeding conditions, the infestation can rapidly get out of hand.
Article written by Phil Hall of TLC Carpet Cleaning Specialists 01761 235600 info@rugandcarpetcleaningbath.co.uk
Part 2 of the article can be found here