Attics and closets across North America can be invaded by two common types of moths who can terrorize homeowners' wool, fur, feathered and felt clothing. These pests - case-making and webbing moths - like to avoid the light and hide in people's clothing, causing serious damage to clothes as well as rugs and carpets.
People who discover clothes moths in their home will likely want to turn to pest management services to eradicate the problem and create a prevention plan to eliminate future risks. But, before you can call in pest control to come to the rescue, make sure you know how to spot a moth infestation.
Of course, holes in your sweaters or clothing are the most famous tell-tale signs of clothes moths, but silk tubes can also be a warning of future damage. These silk tubes can be found in covered dark areas, like under the collars of shirts.
Holes and material damage are also warning signs, but may not always be obvious. Fabric damage is usually in hidden areas like the collar or cuffs. With furniture or carpet, the holes are commonly found in crevices and folds.
Webbing clothes moths can be more damaging than case-making moths and are commonly found throughout North America. Webbing moths are about 1/2 inch wing to wing and have a gold wing hue. Although the moth stage may be the easiest to identify, most of their damage is done to clothing during their larval stage, before they can fly.
People commonly confuse clothes moths with food and grain moths. These insects may also require a call to pest control services, but are unlikely to cause serious damage to your clothing or upholstery.
The best defense against moths is thorough cleaning. Vacuuming your rugs, carpets and upholstered furniture regularly will destroy any moth eggs and prevent them from developing into damaging larvae. This goes for tapestries, delicate fabric artwork and hanging rugs as well, although care should be taken while cleaning these.
For stored clothing and rugs, cleaning can also help. By cleaning, people will destroy any eggs in these areas as well. As added protection, people should store clothing, especially wool and other vulnerable fabrics, in securely sealed containers.
If you do encounter an infestation, call a residential pest control agency to eliminate the issue and add preventative measures to repel these pests from settling in your attic, closet or furniture.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
