Clothes Moths Feasted in Pandemic; Ate Clothing and Museum Exhibits

Indianapolis, Ind.. (May 28, 2022) We weren’t the only ones thrilled to be in comfy clothes like sweats and t-shirts during the pandemic. Clothes moths were pretty happy too. “It was a feast beyond a clothes moth’s wildest dreams – cashmere sweaters, suits, Grandma’s furs and other natural materials there for the taking with no disruption,” said Janelle Iaccino, a bug expert with Franklin Pest Solutions www.FranklinPestSolutions.com.

Tucked away in closets and drawers, wools and other natural fibers were sitting ducks for clothes moths which are not interested in synthetic materials – they want the real thing. Their larvae is what does the harm, chomping through not only expensive clothing but also priceless museum collections. Even the renowned Getty Museum in the Los Angeles area had to battle the pests which, according to the L.A. Times, “posed a particular threat to the fragile textiles and upholstered furniture.”

“It’s safe to say that museums all over the world have had to deal with clothes moths in their exhibits and storage areas during the pandemic,” Iaccino said. And our homes really became little museums of our own with hidden, untouched exhibits of what clothes moth larvae see as a smorgasbord of undisturbed natural fibers,” she said. They can eat through cashmere, wool, mohair, oriental rugs, decorative carpeting, even felt pads that cushion piano keys. They are voracious.

There is really no season for clothes moths but in humid, warm weather, their life cycle speeds up along with infestations. They like anywhere where pet hair, fur or feathers can collect like cracks and crevices between the carpet and baseboards. Bird nests are a big draw and if a nest is close to a home, that’s an easy way for them to be near and get in.

“What is out of sight and out of mind to us is what these pests are after -- like an heirloom fur passed down from grandma. We heard from one young woman recently who lives in a freshly renovated high-rise condo. She had inherited furs a couple of years ago prior to the pandemic. She was devastated. Moth larva had gotten to several of them,” Iaccino said.

Proper identification is important. But calling a professional at the first sign of any unfamiliar sign of any pest is key. The longer you let something go, the more damage can occur. “The most important thing is to find the source. People often think fumigating is involved. That’s not the case. The fix is low impact and targeted,” Iaccino said.

If you see moths in the kitchen, those are likely another kind of moth -- Indian meal moths, which are better known as pantry moths because they are interested in dried food ingredients like flour, spices, nuts and cereals – items most people have in the back of kitchen cabinets. In larval state, they can sneak into crevices we can’t perceive.

“All dry stored products need to be inspected along with decorative items such as shadow boxes containing seeds. Anything in question should be discarded, as it could be contaminated and harmful if consumed, Iaccino said.

It’s important to know their behavior because they sometimes build what looks like spider webs in the pantry or ceilings. It looks like a spider web but it’s really a moth cocoon. Just as with the clothes moth larvae, the pantry moth larvae look like maggots. They’re very little and you probably won’t notice they’re there, especially if you are not baking a lot.

Tips to help prevent clothes moths:

· When storing sweaters, seal in ziplock bags

· Use vacuum-sealed bags for winter clothes and things not being worn regularly

· Grandma was right. Mothballs and cedar help.

· When vacuuming, use hand vac or duster to get close to the walls and into the grooves

· Work with a pest control expert to identify the source and stop the infestation

Tips to help prevent pantry moths:

· Clean spilled grain and infested cabinet areas using a vacuum followed by soapy water or a mixture of hot water and household cleaner; wipe down all sides of shelves and walls

· Store all dried food goods in a sealed glass or plastic container or zipped bags

· Clean off the residue on outside of bottle or spilled spices

· Consider storing cereals and similar foods in the refrigerator to limit stored pantry pest problems

· Properly seal bags of pet food and bird seed

· Discard anything that could be contaminated

· Use household disinfectant cleaner to eliminate crumbs and pheromone trails

· Get down low to check under the fridge and stove

· Pull out appliances once a year to vacuum underneath

After all best practices are done, Franklin can help pinpoint the source and go over what homeowners need to do. There are also pheromone traps to control populations of adult moths.

About Franklin Pest Solutions, LLC

Since 1929, Franklin Pest Solutions and sister company Rose Pest Solutions have been trusted in the Midwest to keep homes and businesses free from insects, rodents, and more. Using cutting-edge technology, environmentally friendly methods, and personalized unique solutions, Franklin and Rose are dedicated to creating and maintaining healthier living environments. Owned by the Dold Family, Franklin Pest Solutions proudly serves communities in Indiana and Kentucky, and Rose Pest Solutions proudly serves all of Chicagoland, the Greater Milwaukee area, and South Central Wisconsin. For more information, see www.franklinpestsolutions.com and www.rosepestcontrol.com.