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CLOTHES MOTH

In the UK there are around 2,400 recorded moth species. Most of them are harmless however four species of moths in particular, can cause problems in your home and are often referred to as textile pests.

The Common Clothes Moth, White Shouldered House Moth, Case Bearing Clothes Moth and the Brown House Moth are the four you don’t want invading your home.

The good news is moths aren’t a health risk; the bad news is they can cause serious damage to clothes, carpets and other materials in your home. You may notice moths crawling rather than flying but often the first signs of a problem are when you come across damaged clothes or carpets. Adult moths don’t actually feed on fabrics but it’s the larvae (moth caterpillars) that cause the damage.  The larvae feed on material containing the animal protein keratin. Items of clothing, rugs, carpets and sofas made from Cashmere, silk, wool, feathers, fur and even leather are all at risk of damage by the larvae. Other natural fibres such as cotton will also be eaten but synthetic items will usually be left alone unless they are stained with perspiration.  

© 2017 by First Defence Pest Control Ltd

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