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Species of fabric pests

There are many different types of fabric pests that cause trouble for Canadians throughout Canada.

Frequently encountered species include:

Case-making clothes moth
Common or webbing clothes moth
Varied carpet beetle

Rarely encountered species include:

Brown house moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella)
Furniture carpet beetle (Anthrenus flavipes)
Black carpet beetle (Attagenus unicolor)

Learn more below about the different types of fabric pests found in Canada.

Case-making clothes moth

(Tineo pellionella)

Appearance

Approx. 7-10 mm long.
Forewings are silvery-buff with 3 dark spots.

Lifecycle

Lifecycle completion usually takes 3-8 months.
Larva up to 10 mm long when full grown.
Creamy white with dark head.
Usually protected in case made of silk and fibers of feeding material.

Habits

Can do extensive damage to woolens, felts, upholstered furniture, clothes, etc.

Webbing clothes moth

(Tineo bisselliella)

Appearance

Approx. 8-10 mm long.
Golden buff in colour.
Wings are fringed with no markings.
Wingspan about 12 mm.

Lifecycle

Completes in 3- 8 months.
Larva up to 12 mm long when full grown. Often found in a network of silken tubing.

Habits

Can damage a variety of animal products, including wool, fur, skins, clothing, carpets, upholstered furniture, and felt.
Larvae may be difficult to spot as they hide in a network of silken tubing.

Variegated carpet beetle

(Anthrenus verbasci)

Appearance

Approx. 2-3 mm long.
Mottled yellow, white and black.
Oval shape similar to a ladybird.

Lifecycle

Complete in 9-12 months.
Larva up to 4-5 mm long when fully fed.

Habits

Damages carpets, underfelt, woollens, fur, feathers.
Can attack stored items such as cereals and meat products.

Black carpet beetle

(Attogenus unicolar)

Appearance

Approx. 3-5 mm long.
Shiny black to dark brown, with brownish legs.

Lifecycle

Completes in 6-12 months.
Larva up to 7 mm long when fully fed.
Reddish brown covered with stiff bristles.

Habits

Relatively widespread and destructive.
Often associated with bird- nesting in roof cavities.
Amongst others, leather, silk, carpet, and felt all at risk of infestation.

Furniture carpet beetle

(Anthrenus flavipes)

Appearance

Approx. 2-3.5 mm long.
Mottled yellow, white and black markings.

Lifecycle

Completes lifecycle in 9-12 months.
Dark colour larva up to 5 mm long when fully fed.
Wide at front, narrow towards the rear.

Habits

Can do damage to upholstered furniture, carpets and some stored food products.
Not as destructive as black and variegated carpet beetles.

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