Combating, recognizing and preventing clothes moths

The clothes moth ( Tineola bisselliella) , also called clothes moth or clothes moth, is a moth that is common in the Netherlands. In nature, the clothes moth lives outside in old bird, wasp and mammal nests. The clothes moth also occurs indoors, and the caterpillar then eats fabrics such as cotton, silk, linen or wool.

The adult clothes moths are light brown to light grey in colour and about 10 mm in size. You will find them in your wardrobe or near the carpet, where they fly up or crawl away when you are cleaning. The adult moths do not cause any damage, the larvae do.

The larvae of clothes moths are cream in colour with a brown head. They are up to 9 mm in size and can be seen with the naked eye. The larvae gnaw on fabrics, which can cause holes in your clothes, curtains or carpet.

The life cycle of a clothes moth ( Tineola bisselliella ) consists of four stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult moth.

Egg stage

The life cycle of the clothes moth begins when the female lays her eggs. An adult clothes moth can lay up to 100 eggs, usually in dark and quiet areas where suitable food sources such as wool, silk, and other natural fibers are available. The eggs are small, white, and almost invisible to the naked eye. After about four to ten days, the eggs hatch.

Larval stage

The larvae, which hatch from the eggs, are the most damaging stage in the clothes moth's life cycle. The larvae feed on keratin, a protein found in natural fibers such as wool, hair, and feathers. During this stage, the larvae cause the well-known damage to textile products. The larval stage can last from one month to two years .

Pop stage

After the larval stage, the clothes moth pupates. During the pupal stage, the larvae encase themselves in a silk cocoon, often with small particles of the material they have been feeding on. This stage usually lasts one to four weeks .

Adult stage

The adult clothes moth eventually emerges from the cocoon. Adult moths usually live no longer than 15 to 30 days and no longer feed. Their main goal at this stage is reproduction. The females mate and lay new eggs, starting the cycle over again.

The duration of the complete life cycle of the clothes moth varies greatly depending on environmental conditions, but can take approximately 2 to 3 months under favorable conditions.

Damage caused by the clothes moth can be recognized by small, irregular holes in clothing and other textiles, especially in materials such as wool, silk, and fur . This damage is caused by the larvae of the clothes moth, which feed on keratin, a protein found in animal fibers. In addition to the holes, you can also find silky webs, excrement , and possibly molting skins left behind by the larvae. The adult moths themselves do not cause any damage; it is the larvae that, through their voracity, attack clothing and textiles, often in dark and quiet places such as in closets or on carpets.

In this step-by-step plan you will learn how to combat clothes moths using Tricho parasitic wasps and the Delta trap with attractant.

Step 1: Vacuum and air

Before you start using Tricho parasitic wasps and Delta traps, it is essential to thoroughly clean your space. Vacuum all closets, carpets, and floors where moths may have laid their eggs. Pay special attention to dark, hard-to-reach places such as behind closets and under furniture. After vacuuming, it is advisable to air the room well. Moths like warm, dark environments, so by airing and refreshing the space, you make the environment less attractive to them. Store clothing that you do not wear often in tightly sealed bags or boxes.

Step 2: Release Tricho parasitic wasps

After cleaning the space, you can start releasing Tricho parasitic wasps . These natural enemies of the clothes moth parasitize the moths' eggs, preventing new larvae from developing. Place the bags with parasitic wasps in strategic places in your closet or other locations where you store clothes. The bag does not need to be cut open.

The parasitic wasps will gradually crawl out of holes in the bags, in a period of 2-4 weeks. The bag is developed in such a way that 2000 parasitic wasps will emerge from the bag per week. It usually takes 2-3 days before the first adult parasitic wasps emerge from the bag.

Step 3: Placing the Delta Trap with attractant

In addition to using parasitic wasps, using the Delta trap with attractant is a very effective method of catching adult moths. These traps attract male moths, which breaks the mating cycle. Place the traps near infested areas, such as closets and clothing storage areas, but not directly next to the parasitic wasp bags. Check the traps regularly and replace the attractant as necessary to maintain effectiveness.

Step 4: Repeat
Repeat the treatment every 4 weeks until the clothes moths are gone.

Store clothes in airtight containers

One of the best ways to prevent clothes moths is to store your clothes in airtight bags or plastic containers. Moths cannot penetrate this barrier, which protects your clothes from damage. This is especially important for clothes that you don’t wear often, such as winter coats and wool sweaters.

Regular ventilation and cleaning

Clothes moths love dark, quiet places. By regularly airing your clothes and keeping your closets clean, you make the environment less attractive to moths. Vacuum regularly in and around your closets and don't forget to clean under furniture and in corners where dust can accumulate.

Use natural repellents

Essential oils such as lavender, cedar, and peppermint can help repel clothes moths. Place a few drops of these oils on cotton balls or use scented sachets and place them in your closets and drawers. These oils not only act as a repellent, but they also give your clothes a pleasant scent.

Preventive use of parasitic wasps

Preventative use of Tricho parasitic wasps is a very effective way to prevent clothes moths from reproducing. These parasitic wasps parasitize the moth eggs, preventing new moth larvae from developing. By preventatively using these parasitic wasps, you can nip a potential moth infestation in the bud.

Inspect second-hand clothing and textiles

When buying second-hand clothing or textiles, inspect them thoroughly before hanging them in your closet. Moths and their eggs can easily hide in used clothing. Washing and inspecting new purchases will prevent you from unknowingly bringing moths into your home.

Wash clothes at high temperature

Washing clothes at a high temperature is a simple and effective method of combating clothes moths. The heat kills moths, larvae and eggs. Wash infested clothes at a minimum of 60 degrees Celsius to ensure that all stages of the moth are eliminated. Be careful! Not all clothes can be washed at 60 degrees Celsius. Delicate materials such as silk, wool and some synthetic fabrics may shrink, deform or lose colour.

Freezing contaminated clothing

Freezing is another effective method of killing moths and their larvae. Place infested clothing in a plastic bag and leave it in the freezer for at least 72 hours. The low temperature will kill moths in all stages of their life cycle. Make sure to thaw the clothing thoroughly before storing it.

Using moth spray

There are several commercial moth sprays available that kill clothes moths and their larvae. The use of moth spray is often discouraged due to the potential negative effects on both the environment and personal health. Many moth sprays contain synthetic chemicals and insecticides that can be harmful to the environment when released into the air, water or soil. In addition, these sprays can cause allergic reactions, respiratory problems or other health problems when inhaled or brought into contact with the skin, especially in people with sensitive skin, asthma or allergies. Natural or non-chemical methods of control are therefore often a safer and more environmentally friendly alternative.