Key Features:
The commonest of the so-called clothes moths, the brown house moth has characteristic golden-bronze wings, flecked with black, folded flat along its back. The adult is about 8mm long and prefers to run rather than fly.

The related White Shouldered House Moth has mottled wings with a white head and "shoulders" where the wings join the body.

Biology:
Eggs are attached to fabric on which grubs will feed. The larvae are creamy-white caterpillars with brown heads. They grow up to 18mm long, feeding on wool, hair, fur, feathers, cork or cereals, and are common scavengers in old birds' nests, from which they may enter buildings. The caterpillars spin silken cocoons in which they pupate. The life cycle takes several months to complete. Only the larval stage feeds, as a general scavenger as well as a textile pest.

Distribution:
The brown moth is common worldwide. They are found indoors all year round.

Significance:
Although the adult moths are harmless, their larvae can cause significant damage to clothing and other textiles, as they feed on a wide range of fabrics of animal origin, such as wool and fur.

Control:
Clothes moth larvae can be difficult to detect, since they shun the light, although their effects are far more evident. Once located, infested food stuffs must be removed and residual insecticides applied to the surrounding area.

If you have a problem with brown house moths, Safeguard can help you! Contact us today for more information.