fabricflowers

Fabric pests feed on a variety of organic materials, including cotton products, wool products, animal fur, feathers, clothing, carpeting, draperies and other fabrics. Most fabric pests are either clothes moths or carpet (dermestid) beetles, although silverfish and crickets can also feed on these products.

Two types of clothes moths are commonly found in homes. They are both small moths. The webbing clothes moth is a solid golden brown on the wings, while the casemaking clothes moth has three black spots on each wing. Casemaking clothes moth larvae construct a small bag from material to protect their body from the environment. They drag the bag or tube wherever they feed. Clothes moths are occasionally found in closets, where they lay their eggs on suitable fabric. The larvae hatch and feed on the fabric.

There are several things you can do to eradicate and prevent clothes moths. First, keep clothes and other fabrics stored in sealed, plastic bags. Next, hang a clothes moth pheromone trap in each closet. It will attract and catch the male moths and stop the breeding process. Don't hang more than one trap, or you will confuse the moths and they will just fly around, not sure where to go. Then wash all infested clothing in hot, soapy water to kill the larvae and eggs.

Then you can hang some repellents in the closets. Put dried lemon peels, cedar chips, dried rosemary or mint in cheesecloth bags and hang them in the closets. Make sure any carpets in the closet are clean and free of lint or animal hair or any organic debris.Carpet beetle larvae are small, about a quarter inch long and carrot-shaped with long hairs. They will feed on anything organic. The adult beetles are small, round and usually black, sometimes with lighter markings.

The best method for controlling carpet beetles is by completely cleaning everything. Steam-clean the carpets if possible as well as any upholstered furniture. Make sure you vacuum under all furniture as carpet beetles can survive by feeding on dust bunnies. Keep a bottle of Greenbug for Indoors available to directly spray any adults or larvae you find. Make sure you vacuum up all the dead insects as the spines of the carpet beetle larvae can cause rashes if they penetrate your pores.