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While moths do not pose a health risk, they are a pest in homes because of the severe damage their larvae cause to clothes, fabrics, furs, leather and carpets.
This damage may continue for many weeks after moth caterpillars have hatched – serious harm may have been done before numbers of flying moths are seen and so prevention of a moth problem is important.
While a minor infestation of moths can be dealt with using DIY products, an established moth problem is likely to require professional assistance.
Learn what the telltale signs of a moth infestation are
The first sign of a moth problem will typically be damage to fabrics but there will usually be other indicators as well:
Please note, another common cause of damage to carpets or fur may be due to Carpet Beetles or Fur Beetles rather than moths.
There are four common species of moth infestation found in and around the home:
Common Clothes Moth - Adults are 6-8mm with straw-colored wings and no markings. The h larvae make irregular holes in fabrics and are creamy white with a brown head and up to 10mm long.
Case-bearing Clothes Moth - Adults are 6mm long with a dark-buff color and three faint spots. Case-bearing Clothes Moths make more regular holes in fabric than common clothes moth. Their larvae are creamy-white up to 10mm and found particularly with imported animal fabrics.
Brown House Moth - Adults are 8-14mm and brown with three or four darker spots. The larvae feed on a wide range of animal textiles including wool, leather and feathers and are up to 20mm, off-white with brown head.
White-Shouldered House Moth - The larvae up to 12mm, cream coloured with red-brown head and scavenge on wide range of food. Less damaging to textiles than clothes or Brown House Moths. The adults are 6-10mm with a white head and mottled wings.
High risk areas in the home include:
Once inside the home, moths lay eggs in dark and rarely disturbed areas where clothes or other textiles are stored. Follow the steps below to prevent moth damage in your home:
There is a range of DIY products that kill moths, their larvae and their eggs available on the market.
Mothballs containing naphthalene were the traditional preventative treatment for moths. However, we do not endorse using these products because of the chemicals used and the residual odors they produce.
An established moth infestation will often require professional pest control treatment.
Rentokil Pest Control offers a call-out service to treat moths or any other pest problem in the home. The service is fast, effective and affordable.
Rentokil Technicians have a range of powerful insecticides to deal with moths and provide the reassurance that the problem has been fully dealt with.
Call Rentokil Pest Control Canada on 877-690-2115 for further moth advice or to arrange a visit by a Technician.
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