Textile or Fabric-Destroying Pests

Textile pests" (or "stored fabric pests") is a catch-all term for insects who feed upon and damage stored clothing, carpeting, tapestries, or other fiber products. In practice, this includes various species of moths and beetles, the most common of which are the Clothes Moths and Carpet Beetles.

Clothes Moths

The three moths that feed upon textiles are the webbing clothes moth, the casemaking clothes moth, and the tapestry moth. All of these are small moths, with wingspans of less than 1/2 of an inch. They feed primarily on animal-based fibers such as wool, down, fur, and feathers; and sometimes silk and leather.

Like textile pests in general, it is the larval stage of clothes moths who cause the damage to clothing, tapestries, and other textile items by their feeding activity.

Carpet Beetles

There are several species of carpet beetles, including the black carpet beetle, the varied carpet beetle, the common carpet beetle, and the furniture carpet beetle. Adults of all of these species are rather small, ranging in length from between 1/16 and 3/16 of an inch.

Carpet Beetles can cause serious damage to carpeting, clothing, tapestries, and other stored textile products.

Control of Textile Pests

Control of textile pests begins with prevention.

• All clothing should be washed or dry-cleaned before being stored, since body oils, sweat, food, and other organic matter on clothing may make it more attractive to stored fabric pests.

• Expensive items like furs should be professionally stored, if possible; otherwise, moth-repellant sachets, moth balls, or moth flakes should be used to repel fabric-destrying insects.

• Carpets, tapestries, and upholstered furniture should be frequently cleaned and shampooed in a manner appropriate to the item.

Professional treatment for textile pests usually begins with a thorough inspection to identify infested items. These items must then be cleaned or treated, depending on the item. Closets, chests, and other storage areas will need to be treated, as well. In many cases, the use of pheromone traps may be necessary to trap reproductive adults and to monitor treated areas for re-infestation.

If you're having problems with fabric pests, or for any pest problem, please contact us for a prompt, professional evaluation and individualized treatment plan. Buckingham Pest Control serves the Greater St. Louis, Missouri area.