Moth Identification & Prevention
Clothes moths are small and beige or buff-colored. They have narrow wings fringed with tiny hairs. Clothes moth larvae are creamy-white, worm-like, and grow up to half an inch long.
Pantry moths are also small moths identified by the adult's wings. The front half of the wings are brown or cream-colored, and the back half of the wings are a darker bronze color. Pantry moth larvae have a darker brown head and an off-white worm-like body that may be slightly pink, yellow, or green.
Are moths dangerous?
Moths are damaging pests. The female moth lays its eggs on an appropriate food source, and once the larvae hatch, they begin eating. Moth larvae have big appetites and cause significant damage to the plants, fabrics, and the dry goods they feed on
Pantry moths cause a lot of food loss because they contaminate far more food than they actually eat. Dealing with a pantry moth infestation is a costly and frustrating problem.
Clothes moths damage personal belongings like clothing, bedding, rugs, and upholstered furniture by chewing holes through fabrics.
Why do I have a moth problem?
Adult moths mainly live outside but do move inside through torn screens and gaps around windows and doors. Many types of moths are attracted to light. Outdoor lights around doorways and windows attract these pests to our homes.
The most common way pantry or clothing moths find a way into a home is inside of contaminated goods. A pantry pest infestation is often the result of purchasing dry goods from the store already contaminated with their eggs or larvae. Clothes moths become a problem after their larvae hitchhike into a home on used upholstered furniture, rugs, quilts, clothes, or other fabric items.
Where will I find moths?
Pantry pests feed on various stored products, including cornmeal, grains, cereals, seeds, spices, chocolate, birdseed, and dry pet food. They can be found wherever food is being prepared or stored, including our homes, grocery stores, restaurants, pet stores, and food processing plant and storage facilities.
Clothes moths are most active in dark, quiet areas that are high in humidity. These moths reside in basements, closets, or attics, breeding and feeding on things like clothes, blankets, and rugs.
How do I get rid of moths?
Let Falls Pest Services help you enjoy your home to its fullest by getting rid of moths and other household pests through our effective home pest control services. Our customized services ensure that we meet your Idaho Falls area home's exact pest control needs, and pests are no longer something you have to worry about.
We are a local, licensed, and insured company dedicated to providing our customers with affordable pest control services performed by knowledgeable and friendly professionals. Whether you are a home or business owner, Falls Pest Services can help you maintain a pest-free property.
How can I prevent moths in the future?
The best way to prevent problems with moths and other pests is to put in place a year-round pest control program. In combination with professional home pest control and commercial pest control services, the following tips can help you avoid problems with moths in your Idaho Falls home.
- Keep adult moths from easily finding a way into your home by repairing damaged screens and placing weatherstripping around windows and doors.
- Always inspect food packaging for rips or tears before purchasing it.
- Before storing away towels, blankets, linens, and clothing, make sure they are thoroughly washed and dried.
- After purchasing dry goods, remove them from their original packaging and store them in plastic or glass containers with locking, airtight lids.
- On a routine basis, clean out the pantry, getting rid of any items that have met their expiration date.
- Regularly clean out closets and vacuum the bottoms of them.
- Store clothing, blankets, and other fabric items away in plastic storage containers, not cardboard boxes.
Call us today to learn more about our effective Idaho Falls pest control options!
