Common clothes moths are known scientifically as “Tineola bisselliella.” They are moths, also referred to as night-flying insects, and belong to the “Tineidae family.” They are found worldwide and are nocturnal animals. Their appearance varies from light yellow to a dark brown, shiny coloration depending on their food intake. They have no markings or patterns, and their wings are folded roof-like over their back. Their wingspan ranges from 10 to approximately 15 millimeters. Common clothes moths are between six and nine millimeters long. They are active every year from May to September.
When so-called clothes moths live in nature, the adult animals deposit their larvae in the nests of birds and mammals so that the brood can feed on fine feathers and animal hair. If clothes moths live in houses, apartments, and storage rooms, they also prefer feathers, furs, wool fabrics, and upholstered furniture as a food source. The female clothes moth lays between 100 and 250 white eggs. These are deposited directly onto the aforementioned materials so that the hatched larvae find a food source immediately. After about two weeks, tiny, yellowish-white caterpillars hatch from these eggs as butterfly larvae. Their development takes between 60 days and several months, depending on the surrounding conditions. If the larvae find optimal conditions, up to four generations of clothes moths per year are possible, which represents a major pest infestation. The larvae require the protein “keratin” as food, which is found in furs, skins, and wool. Wood and paper are spared by the clothes moths. Purely synthetic or plant-based fabrics are also consumed but are excreted undigested. The feeding of the caterpillars creates holes in the fabrics and bare spots in furs and other textiles. If there are skin flakes and hair in the clothes and furniture, for example, the caterpillar feeding is particularly intense, as these represent an additional food source for the young animals. Carpets and natural, wool-containing insulation materials are also infested by clothes moths, which can lead to major structural damage, especially in the case of insulation materials, if the insulation is no longer effective.
Regular vacuuming of floors, crevices, wardrobes, and drawers is a very good countermeasure. Clothing should be regularly aired out and checked to see if there is a clothes moth infestation. They can be fought chemically with mothballs, moth paper, stomach poisons, and insecticides, although one should be careful as these often contain neurotoxins that are hazardous to human health. For natural moth repellent, essential oils, lavender sachets, as well as cedar and stone pine balls are used. Biologically, clothes moth eggs can be fought with natural predators such as ichneumon wasps, which consume the eggs of the clothes moths. The only problem is what to do with these beneficial insects afterward, as who wants to have ichneumon wasps in their wardrobe? Pheromone traps attract male clothes moths, which, however, cannot wipe out an entire population and also attract other moth species.
Permanent and definitive pest control can generally only be carried out by a professional.
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