TEXTILE PESTS

Textile Pest Control.

The Client will be requested to vacuum floors and remove pets prior to a Technicians arrival, should a positive identification be made during the initial point of contact.

A Technician will carry out a site inspection and advise on the course of treatment required. The source of the infestation is identified and if this is from old bird nests in an attic, then these are removed and the area treated. In most cases an insecticidal treatment to flooring and carpets will be required. The Client will be shown what to do with infested clothing and soft furnishings.

A Risk Assessment is completed prior to treatment and the client instructed on the duration of time before they can safely return to their premises (generally 4 - 6 hours after completion of treatment). Pets and young children will require a longer time of exclusion from treated areas.

 

Case-Bearing Moth

Description:

The moths are approximately 5mm in length. Forewings are yellowish brown, and there are usually three distinct, dark dots on the outer third of each wing. Hind wings are smaller, lighter, and fringed with hair and scales. Eggs are whitish, and larvae are opaque-white with brown heads.

The larvae in case them selves with material.

Biology:

Clothes moths rarely fly to lights at night and instead prefer darkness, such as a closet or storage chest. Any clothes moths fluttering around the house are probably males, because females travel by running, hopping, or trying to hide in the folds of clothing. The female lays 100 - 150 white eggs on the surface of the fabric which will hatch into larvae in approximately 5 days. The period of larval development is usually 6 weeks, during which time the larvae actively feed on the fabric, however, this can take considerably longer under cooler conditions.

 

 

Brown House Moth

Description:

Shiny gold/brown moth approximately 10mm in length. The wing tips have a hairy/feathery appearance and the wings themselves have dark brown spots (although these can easily be rubbed off).

Biology:

The larvae of these insects can cause considerable damage when they feed on articles that contain wool, mohair, fur, hair, feathers or other products of animal origin. The brown house moth will also feed on other organic debris including dried or mouldy food waste. The female lays up to 500 white eggs on the surface of fabrics which can hatch into larvae in as little as 10 days. The period of larval development is 6 weeks (under ideal conditions), during which time the larvae actively feed on fabrics etc.

 

Varied Carpet Beetle

Description:

Adults are 2 - 4 mm long and variable black or brown with mottled yellow or white markings. A pest primarily in the home, food and museum sectors (the latter causing a significant threat to collections).

Biology:

Mating occurs immediately after emergence. The female produces up to 100 eggs over a period of two weeks. Larval development lasts for 10-30 days. Larval forms (known as the "Woolly Bear") can reach 4 - 5 mm in size before pupation and can cause considerable damage to products such as wool, fur, leather, silk and animal skins, and occasionally cereal based food products. Adult carpet beetles usually live outdoors on pollen and nectar, and thrive in situations where they remain undisturbed, such as under carpets, bird and rodent nests and animal remains .

 

Common Clothes Moth

Description:

Slightly larger than the Case-bearing moth, adults can reach up to 7mm. The moths are a light, shiny gold colour, with a tuft of reddish hairs on the head.

Biology:

Similar to Case-Bearing, except, the larvae do not in case them selves with the material of which they are damaging.