Clothing and carpet pests can be just as detrimental as conventional pests. Being more than a nuisance, these pests can a problem for homeowners in Greater San Antonio, TX. Today, the most common clothing and carpet pests include webbing clothes moths and carpet beetles, and today, we at A Five Star Termite & Pest Control would like to elaborate on these particular bests.
Webbing Clothes Moths
Fur, wool, silk and hair are consumed by the webbing clothes moth. Webbing clothes moth infestations can decimate entire wardrobes if left untreated. Additionally, bedding and furniture in homes can be impacted as well. The first step in halting its destructive behavior is identifying the webbing clothes moth. Being much larger in size, food infesting moths are often confused with webbing clothes moth. From wingtip to wingtip, an adult webbing clothes moths measure approximately 15/32 inches in length. With a distinctive sheen and reddish-gold hairs atop their heads, they are yellow in color. Being that they prefer the cover of darkness, webbing clothes moths do not usually fly to lights. However, food moths are attracted to light. As females are weak fliers and prefer to hop or run, most people tend to see males. Soon after laying eggs that are attached to their preferred fabrics, females’ clothes moths tend to die soon after laying eggs. In the summer, these eggs hatch within 10 days, however in the winter months, it can take up to 3 weeks to develop. The larvae are frequently responsible for damage caused to clothing as a result. Although prevention is the best strategy, there are a variety of methods may be employed to eliminate these clothes moths. To help make clothing less attractive to these moths, dry cleaning or laundering helps. Also proving effective in keeping clothes moths away, proper storage potentially helps.
Black Carpet Beetles
Carpet beetles by adulthood measure up to 13/64 of an inch. Their wings, known as elytra, are brownish black and the rest of the body is black as the head is partially concealed from above. Being very common the northeastern United States, black beetles are known in the area. They feed on leather, wool, silk, feathers and hair like other carpet beetle species. Also, they will include dried meat, plants and dead insects in their diet. These insects tend to infest kitchen cabinets and clothing storage areas. Eggs hatch into larvae within six to 12 days in warm environments, and there is a delay taking between 15 and 20 days to hatch in colder environments. Being brown and gold in color, black carpet beetle larvae are longer than many other carpet beetle larvae. At the end of their bodies, there is a clump of golden hairs. Adults can live for a couple of months and the black carpet beetle larvae can survive up to 640 days. Generally, the adults are not a concern indoor damage.
Pest Inspections, Exclusion, Control, Removal, Management & More in Canyon Lake, Spring Branch, Bulverde, Timberwood Park, Leon Valley, Alamo Heights, New Braunfels, Selma, Live Oak, Converse, Universal City, Cibolo, Seguin, New Berlin, St Hedwig, Adkins, La Vernia, Elmendorf, Losoya, Von Ormy, Macdona & San Antonio, Texas
With the help of A Five Star Termite & Pest Control, we can combat the webbing clothes moth and black carpet beetles. Call us today if you believe you have these insects inside your home and we will take care of the rest.
