A host of different insects munch on clothing in your closet. While it is difficult to tell which insects are eating your clothes from bite marks or the type of clothing being eaten, you can protect your clothing. If your clothes come out of the closet with little holes, it is likely one of these pests is to blame. Does this Spark an idea?
Clothes Moth
A clothes moth is the most likely culprit if something is eating the clothing in your closet. The Webbing Clothes Moth and the Case-making Clothes Moth are two species typically found in North America. Each eats clothing. However, it is not the flying moth that eats your shirts. It is actually the larvae of the moth laid in your clothing that does the feeding. Adult moths lay their eggs in shirts and sweaters to give their young something to eat when they hatch.
Carpet Beetles
A Carpet Beetle is another insect that eats clothing and fabric. This little, oval-shaped beetle is found inside as well as outside the home and is only 2mm long. It is part of the dermestids family. These beetles lay larvae as well, which munch on several types of fabrics including cotton, wool and even leather. As adults, these beetles live in your garden, eating pollen and other small flowers.
Cockroaches
Cockroaches also eat clothing. They will eat just about anything and because of this are very populous. Large numbers of cockroaches live in homes, especially in the inner city. Cockroaches also eat human fibers such as hair, eyebrows and fingernails. These critters may live undetected in a closet until pest control methods are invoked.
Treating an Infected Closet
If you suspect pests in your closet, contact a pest control expert to treat the closet for moths, cockroaches and carpet beetles. If possible, show the pest control expert your clothing and tell him where the clothing was located. Other options include removing all items from the closet, cleaning it thoroughly and using a bug bomb to kill all insects. Clean your clothing thoroughly or treat it with insecticides to rid the clothing of larvae as well.
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