Pests that Eat Bedding, Clothes, and Carpets
Most people have heard of moths eating wool clothing. Yet, no one seems fully prepared when they find something eating their carpets and bedding, too. In reality, there are nearly a half dozen kinds of insects interested in your home fabrics. Unfortunately, clothes moths are only one of them. So let’s take a look at the most common clothing and fabric eating insects and critical ways to prevent them:
Clothes Moths
With more than one million types of moths globally, only two commonly choose to chew through clothing: the webbing clothes moth and the casemaking clothes moth. Both of these moths particularly love feeding on what’s in your closet and will leave your favorite sweaters with irreparable holes. Clothes moths are most interested in fabrics rich with animal proteins: cotton, fur, silk, wool, and leather. Unfortunately, furniture and carpets aren’t safe around these winged creatures, either, since clothes moth larvae enjoy snacking on lint, dust, and other natural fibers as well. Ways to control moths include mothballs, or moth crystals, and storing unused clothing in sealed containers.
Carpet beetles
Carpet beetles look similar to black beetles and can be best recognized by their interesting brown, white, and black spots. Carpet beetles breed quickly and can lay up to 100 eggs in a few weeks. Carpet beetle larvae feed on natural fibers such as wool clothing and fur. Insecticides are commonly used with the removal of carpet beetles. Proper carpet beetle control should also include vacuuming before spraying since their tiny eggs and bodies can infiltrate carpet backing and the space at the edges of baseboards.
Silverfish
Silverfish, also called bristletails, get their name due to their metallic silver color and slender, fish-shaped body. Silverfish feed primarily at night, stay in dark areas, and prefer temperatures between 70 and 90 degrees. These wingless, primitive creatures choose starches for food and often chew through cotton, silk, and rayon fabrics. Insecticide spray kills most silverfish and works most effectively in conjunction with removing their food source and any unnecessary moisture in the area.
Crickets
Surprisingly, crickets have no interest in clean clothing. Instead, they search for soiled clothing containing stains from the human body or food and drinks. While they feast on soiled items, they also tend to chew through the threads of clothing. Therefore, the easiest way to get rid of crickets is to seal off potential entryways to the home. Using a professional home sealing service can help in these areas.
Cockroaches
It may be unsettling to find a cockroach in your home, but the damage they bring is even more alarming. Cockroaches perpetuate asthma and carry bacteria that cause food poisoning, Staph infections, and more. On the long list of reasons why you don’t want cockroaches in your home, damaging clothes may be towards the bottom. However, cockroaches find dirty laundry and carpets appealing. They’ll eat straight through most linens in search of their next food source. Cockroach removal is quickly accomplished with baits and pest control treatment. After an infestation, an exterminator will also need to include plenty of sanitization.
Kinder Safe Pest Solutions offers 17 years experience in commercial and residential pest control serving Manatee and Sarasota counties. Call (941)254-2180 today!