Store clean woollen clothing, furs, or blankets in sealed plastic bags between seasons.Regularly inspect and vacuum wool or wool blend carpets, along skirtings, behind and under pieces of furniture and where the carpet extends into walk-in wardrobes.Silverfish can damage clothing, carpet, artwork, and curtain materials containing natural fibres such as wool, cotton, paper, silk, and rayon fabrics.Īn integrated approach to control should be used combining various management strategies (chemical, physical, cultural). They eat cereals, such as oats and wheat flour and can damage paper, especially on which there is glue or paste such as wallpaper and book bindings. Silverfish, cause damage by eating foods or other materials that are high in protein, sugar, or starch. Silverfish are often brought into new homes in cardboard cartons, books and papers from infested sites. They may also be found in bookcases, around closet shelves, behind skirting boards and window and door frames. Because silverfish need and seek moisture, they are often found trapped in sinks and bathtubs. Large numbers may be found in new buildings in which the masonry is still damp. They usually live and develop in dark, cool places, especially bathrooms and basements. Silverfish are nocturnal and not often seen by day. They develop slowly under household conditions and can survive several months without food. The most common house species is covered with smooth and shiny silvery scales. The adult silverfish is carrot-shaped and about 10mm in length, with long tail filaments. The silverfish, Lepisma species, is a small, wingless insect and one of the oldest insects in the world, inhabiting the planet for over 400 million years! Synthetic items are resistant to attack but blends of synthetic and natural fibres can be damaged. They can be inadvertently brought into the house in cut flowers and laundry.Ĭarpet beetle larvae can damage fabrics, furnishings and clothing that contain cotton, wool, silk, hair, fur or feathers. Adult beetles are pollen feeders and can be found in large numbers in flowers. Their natural habitats are the nests of birds, rodents, insects, and spiders. As they shed their skins, the empty, hairy skin castings can be seen as a sign of infestation.Ĭarpet beetles are capable of flight. The larvae develop through a series of moults. The larvae avoid light and actively feed in dark places like ceiling voids, crevices and folds, and can be found in wardrobes or within upholstered furniture. Indoors, adults are attracted to light and are often found on window sills. The larvae are roughly 4–5mm long and covered in hairs, with dense stiff bristles extending from the rear. ![]() The adult beetle is a rounded insect about 4mm long, dark grey with distinct wavy white bands across the body. The most common are the European carpet beetle (Anthrenus verbasci) and the native Australian carpet beetle (Anthrenocerus australis).Īll carpet beetles have similar biology and feeding habits. Several species of carpet beetles occur in Western Australian homes, such as Anthrenus and Anthrenocerus species. Unlike many other moths, clothes moths are not attracted to light and avoid lit areas. They are reluctant flyers and may be seen running over the surface of infested materials. The adults are small (1cm), buff or straw-coloured moths with fringed wings. They are often noticed when attached to walls or dragging themselves across smooth floor surfaces. The webbing clothes moth larvae are small white grubs and are rarely seen.Ĭase-making clothes moth ( Tinea pellionella) (L) adult and (R) larvaĬase-making clothes moth larvae spin a silken tube or 'case' for protection and they drag this along as they feed. Webbing clothes moth ( Tineola bisselliella) (L) adult and (R) larva Both species are introduced to Australia. Outside homes, clothes moths infest pollen, hair, dead insects, and dried animal remains.Ĭommon clothes moths include the webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella, and the case-making clothes moth, Tinea pellionella. They can feed on mixtures of natural and synthetic fibres but cannot feed on materials made only from synthetic fibres. Larvae also feed on lint, dust, and paper products. ![]() The tiny white larvae eat holes through susceptible materials and damaged fabrics sometimes have silken cases or threads on their surface.Ĭlothes moth larvae prefer to feed on natural products such as cotton, silk, wool, feathers, fur, hair, leather, and upholstered furniture. The moth larvae (grubs) may damage fabrics with natural fibres – adult moths do not feed. Similar-looking moths spotted in kitchens and other well-lit areas are possibly pantry moths originating from pantries and other stored food areas. Clothes moths are rarely seen because they prefer dark areas such as closets, basements, and attics. They have narrow wings that are fringed with small hairs. Clothes moths are small, 1.5cm moths that are beige or yellow-ochre coloured.
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