House Moths
Facts to Know about House Moths
One of the most uninviting types of guests to have in a home is house moths. Not only visually unappealing, these creatures can also cause quite a bit of damage.
There are two common types of house moths: Indian meal or pantry moths, and clothes moths. They are generally the varmints found fluttering about the house. Indian meal moths will be seen in the kitchen area or where dry dog food and bird seed is stored. Clothes moths are not so easy; they can actually be found anywhere in the home that has any organic or natural fiber fabric. This could include clothing in closets, rugs, blankets, animal hide furniture and carpeting. House moths can be quite a problem if not properly identified by type, since the sources will need to be thoroughly cleaned in order to get rid of these pests.
The first step in identifying the type of house moths that have infiltrated your home is to closely examine the moth. Both the Indian meal moth and the clothes moth are brownish gray in color, but the distinguishing feature of a bi-colored wing will separate the Indian meal moth from the other. Once the type is identified, you will be able to proceed with finding the source and eliminating the infestation.
If you have recognized the house moths in your home to be the Indian meal moth, the sources of infestation will be in your food storage area, or wherever you may store dry dog or cat food and birdseed. If you have no pets, your search is narrowed even more. Checking your food items can be a chore, but is a necessary step to getting rid of this pesky moth and its larvae. Packages of flour, dry baking mixes, cereals, dried herbs, nuts and pastas are where you may see small, whitish worms crawling about; a sure sign that your food store has been invaded. Once the caterpillars of these house moths have eaten their fill, they will crawl to crevices and cracks to form cocoons and become adult moths.
Finding the source of clothes moths can be difficult. Fur, animal hides, wools and pet hairs can all provide the protein source these house moths require. The larvae of these moths will consume fibers, especially if they are stained with body sweat or food and beverage spills; leaving a visible path of their presence. They, too, will crawl to dark corners and crevices to pupate and become adult moths.
House moths can be a damaging force in your home, and should be identified for type as soon as possible. Only in this way can the source of the infestation be found so that the homeowner will be able to eradicate them.