Usually, when talking about pests in your home or business, images of flies, cockroaches, mice, or spiders probably come to mind. Many times, moths are the forgotten nuisance that is not only very destructive but can cost you a lot of money in replacing damaged clothing, furniture, and fabric items. It’s important to include these winged nightmares in your pest control plan to avoid this kind of damage.
Look for Signs of Moths
Since moths have a small life cycle, sometimes we assume seeing one or two of them isn’t a big deal. Unfortunately, this is the furthest from the truth. Because their life cycle is short, having just a few of them inside your home can lead to serious damage to fabric and clothes in a short space of time. Quite a few moth species can live for up to a month or so which allows more time for breeding.
To figure out if you have a moth infestation, examine clothing in your closets or storage areas for holes. Moths tend to lay their eggs where the larva will be able to have something to eat once hatched and evolved into caterpillars. Usually, their diet will consist of fabric based items in your home. Some common items to check for moth damage include:
- Upholstered furniture
- Carpeting
- Drapes
- Stored clothing in dark areas
- Some types of leather
This type of damage can cost you a lot of money, and if you are a business owner that specializes in any of the items above, it can be devastating. When checking for evidence of moth damage, try to find tiny white spots on or around these items. They look like extremely tiny plastic balls and are easy to overlook.
Exterminating the Moths
The best prevention is keeping them out of your home altogether by a few simple methods. Firstly, moths love the light, so your nighttime porch light is a huge attraction to them. Often times, they fly in when you enter or exit your home, so try to keep your lights turned off unless you need to use them. Also, make sure you have screens installed in your doors and windows that are in good repair.
Another great way to interrupt their life cycle is to vacuum regularly so that eggs and larva are removed and taken out of your home. Be sure to not miss those dark corners of your house, and always check your closets and dresser drawers. If you have a habit of keeping clothes you never plan to wear, you should think twice and get rid of those extra clothes. They are breeding grounds for moths and their destructive behavior.
Using Professional Treatment if Infested
Moth infestations can occur quickly, and if you find your home has a large amount of moth damage, it is time to call the professionals. My Private Exterminator offers over 15 years of pest control experience. Contact our team of professional exterminators today at (347) 305-8524 or reach us on our webpage here to start a successful moth extermination plan.