Moth

Moth Control and Pest Services in North Essex

The number of fabric-destroying moths continues to rise in the UK and this is largely due to the resurgence of natural fabrics for clothing and upholstery, such as wool, fur, velvet and silk as opposed to synthetic materials like nylon. Whilst having the odd one or two moths flying in and out of your home is not a major concern, if you been affected by these hungry and stealthy insects, perhaps finding damaged clothing, carpets or upholstery, it’s important to call on a professional to remove them and ensure appropriate measures are in place to prevent them from returning. There are thought to be approximately 160,000 species of moth, and over 2,500 of these can be found in the UK, whilst the most common types include:

Common Clothes Moth, also known as Webbing Clothes Moth (Tineola Bisselliella)

Easily identified by their straw-like colour, Common Clothes Moths are known for making irregular-shaped holes in fabrics. It’s not actually the moths that consume the clothes, but their slimy larvae, which feeds on wool, furs, feathers, upholstery, and a variety of animal products. So if you have holes in your carpets, it’s highly likely you have a moth infestation.

Case-Bearing Clothes Moth (Tinea Pellionella)

Also well known for damaging carpets and clothing, these moths are darker and can be easily distinguished by the three spots on each wing. It’s named from the larvae that lives inside a case which it carries around, whilst they are typically encountered during summer.

Brown House Moth (Hofmannophila Pseudospretella)

The Brown House Moth is another regular offender in the UK, but it is larger than Common Clothes Moth, with a wingspan of 15-26 mm. The female can lay 500-600 eggs and the larvae feeds on many different types of material, whilst they usually only cause damage in damp rooms, such as basements.

White-Shouldered House Moth (Endrosis sarcitrella)

Pale golden brown in colour with dark brown flecks, White-Shouldered House Moths seek dark, warm places, with larvae feeding on a wide range of food, including precious textiles and clothing stored in wardrobes.

Prevent moths from causing expensive damage in your home

If you have found that a few too many moths have made their way inside your home recently, it could be a sign of an infestation. It’s important to seek professional help as soon as possible, and North Essex Pest Control can deliver the expertise needed to prevent moths from damaging your precious furniture, clothing, carpets and upholstery. Our experienced team is regularly providing moth control and pest services throughout North Essex, including Colchester, Tiptree, Lexden, Mersea and Marks Tey, Rowhedge, Fingringhoe, Peldon, Langinghoe, Fordham and Copford –whilst we’re available 7 days a week.

Fun facts about moths:

• Moths use various strategies to distract predators, whilst their body can resemble hornets, wasps and tarantulas.
• With teeny hairs and scales on their wings, they help moderate body temperature during flight.
• The majority of moths are nocturnal, yet many species will fly during the day.
• Experts suggest there are over 100,000 moths still undiscovered, whilst they outnumber butterflies by 9 to 1.