Textile Pests - Moths and Carpets Beetles.

The most commonly known textile pest is the common clothes moth, traditionally known for leaving holes in clothing that has been left in the wardrobe but there are other moths and beetles that can be just as destructive to clothing, carpets and upholstered furniture

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Textile pests are characterised by their ability to digest protein keratin that is found in wool, fur, animal hair or feathers and many of these pests originate from birds nests.

Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila pseudospretella) is regarded as a scavenger and can be found in homes and food storage environments. On average it grows up to 10mm in length and has a shiny golden brown appearance with dark brown spots on its wings.

Case Bearing Clothes Moth (Tinea pellionella) & Common Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella)
The biology of these two species is similar in that they rarely fly towards light, preferring darkness such as a closet and the larvae of these moths are known to cause damage to fabrics.

The Case bearing clothes moth is the more rare of the two, growing to 6mm in length and is a yellowish brown colour with three faint spots on the forewing.

The Common clothes moth is slightly larger, growing to 8mm in length and is a shiny golden colour with a tuft of reddish hairs on its head.

Varied Carpet Beetle (Anthrenus verbasci)
Adults of this species grow between 2 – 4mm long with black, white and yellow mottled markings on their back. The larvae of these beetles are known as ‘woolly bears’ due to their furry appearance and can cause considerable damage to wool, fur, leather or silks. Adult varied carpet beetles are commonly associated with bird’s nests and usually live outdoors but will fly indoors to lay their eggs.