Case-Bearing Clothes Moth
June 11th, 2009 Posted in Pantry & Linen Pests
Are you finding holes in your wool and silk clothing? How about in your carpets and furniture? If so, case-bearing clothes moths have probably moved into your house and made dinner out of your belongings.
This article will discuss:
- About case-bearing clothes moth species
- Appearance of case-bearing clothes moth
- Pupa, larva, and adult stages of the moth
- Biology of case-bearing clothes moth
- Life cycle of case-bearing clothes moth
- Food for case-bearing clothes moths
- Case-bearing clothes moth control
Case-Bearing Clothes Moth Species
There are two species of these moths:
- Phereoeca – the case-bearing clothes moth
- Tinea pellionella – the casemaking clothes moth
The two are extremely similar, as they appear the same, have the same habits, and are both most commonly found in Northern areas. The only significant difference between the two is that the case-bearing clothes moth is usually found outdoors and the casemaking clothes moth is usually found indoors. Therefore, the information in this article is true for both species of this moth.
Case-Bearing Clothes Moth Appearance
As the moths mature, the case-bearing clothes moth appearance greatly varies as they experience the larval stage, the pupal stage and the adult stage.
Larval Stage
During the larval stage, the moth will appear in a 10 mm long silkened tube called the case, which they carry around as they travel. The larvae spin this silk case around themselves, while collecting food material to ingest. Since the case is made of silk fibers and fragments from the larva’s food material, its color will vary depending on what it was eating. The case serves as a protecting agent for the moth against direct environment exposure, parasites and predators.
Pupal Stage
During the pupal stage, the moth will appear in the sealed larval case as it experiences maturation.
Adult Stage
After about 6 weeks in the case, the moth will become an adult. The adult case-bearing clothes moth is about 6 mm long with dark yellowish brown forewings. The hind wings are much lighter and are fringed with hair and scales. The outer area of each wing contains 3 distinctive dark spots.
The adults lay whitish-colored eggs.
Biology of a Case-Bearing Clothes Moth
Unlike most moth species, case-bearing clothes moths rarely fly to lights at night. Instead of light, they prefer darkness such as in a closet or storage chest.
Males usually travel by fluttering, while females usually travel by running, hopping, or hiding in folds of clothing. Females will lay about 100-500 eggs on a fabric surface that hatch into larvae in about 5 days.
Life Cyle of a Case-Bearing Clothes Moth
At maturity, the case is about 10 mm long. The larva will pupate inside the case at 25° Celsius.
If the larva experiences a good diet, the life cycle will be completed in about 7 weeks.
About one generation per year is produced; however, adult moths can be present in early summer and early autumn.
What do Case-Bearing Clothes Moths Eat?
Case-bearing clothes moths usually feed on fabrics like silk and wool, but there are many other things that they might find to eat inside or outside your home.
These include:
- Furniture fittings
- Furs and carpets (especially if they are of animal origin)
- Hair (of pets and humans)
- Feathers
- Insect remains
- Flannel
- Spider webs
- Bat and bird droppings
Case-Bearing Clothes Moth Control
There are many precautions you can take to prevent them from ever showing up in your home.
To prevent the moths:
- Vacuum often with the use of the nozzle and brush attachments to get hard-to-reach areas
- Clean rooms often enough to prevent accumulations of lint, hair, etc.
- Pay close attention to rugs and carpets, particularly at the edges
- Pay close attention to the underside of furniture that does not get moved frequently
- Store wool or silk materials in sealable containers or zippered wardrobe pouches
If you are already experiencing case-bearing clothes moth signs, hand pick any cases you find and use an insecticide on them. Try EcoSmart flying insect killer to safely and organically protect your home!
Katlyn Ziegler
13 Comments | The First 1,000 to Comment (Starting 12/21/2009) Will Become EcoSMART Product Testers!
By Michelle on Jun 12, 2009
I can’t wait to try one of EcoSMART Products! I have had experience with being left with moth eaten clothes, and it is very frustrating!
Thank you
By bobigail on Jul 9, 2009
I live in fear of getting clothes moths in our home. As a fiber artist, the investment is not only financial, but also time, effort and huge emotional attachment to the items I produce. Every time I see a moth I worry about it
By james wright on Jul 13, 2009
Currently suffering an infestation of Casebearing moths. They have trashed one carpet and are driving us mad.
By Sandy on Jul 13, 2009
I am currently experiencing an infestation. So many of my wool items have holes in them. We are desperately looking for a good natural way to control them.
By gerri on Aug 27, 2009
I live in fear of having to toss out my woolen items. I’ve had to alter my oriental rugs,needlepoint pillows,sweaters and all things woolen. I am sick over the infestation of these pests that literally have made me curse. Please help. My home is very important to me and my family and I am seeing it taken over by invaders. Please send help in the way of your eco friendly spray. Thankyou
By bil on Sep 13, 2009
is ecosmart an insecticide. the acticle was informative. Does ecosmart have anything like moth balls to put in clothing being stored?
By Ragan on Oct 19, 2009
I have an infestation of these horrible moths and would love to try this product. There are no comments from anyone who has used it. I can’t wait to try anything to make them go away.
By Jon EcoSMART on Oct 19, 2009
Ragan,
For a series of testimonials to the effectiveness of this product, check into our Winner’s Circle. There’s a bunch of people who were previously product testers, and we made sure to get their feedback.
By stephanie east on Oct 31, 2009
Ive been noticeing these small mothes all around in house for about a week now and continuosly ask my husband where they are coming from an why and it occured to me that it could be the moths that eat fabric. so i did research an sure enough that is what thet are. I NEED HELP. they are every where it seems. How can I figure out what they are eating??
By john on Nov 1, 2009
I need help I have moths everywere now!! I got a bad bag of bird food and now they are everywere and I cant get them to DIE!!!!!
By Angela on Nov 4, 2009
Please help – my carpets are being destroyed by these pests, I vaccuum all the time but find them under wardrobes, behind beds, all the places I can’t get to – I desperately need a way to combat them.
Many thanks.
By Helen on Nov 7, 2009
i’ve just noticed this morning that our carpet has been attacked, dont really know what to do with them! help!!
By tommy liming on Dec 5, 2009
This is second time noticing these little pest in our home. I do not remember how we got rid of them last time, so off to the web. Found your site and your products sound good. Green is Good, Moths are Bad!