Female carpet beetles lay around 100 soft white eggs in concealed places that hatch in eight to 15 days.
They hatch more quickly in warmer weather.
The eggs are laid on clothing, furniture, cracks in flooring, and, of course, carpet.
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These beetles typically produce four generations within a year.
It is not the adult insect but the larva that feeds on fabric.
To vacuum thoroughly, you must go over infested areas several times.
Matt Bertone/North Carolina State University
The webbing clothes moth is a small moth with a wingspan of about 1/2 inch.
When you see the adult moth beware.
It is no danger to wool, cashmere, or mohair clothes.
The Spruce / Michele Lee
But if there are two that breed, the larvae are detrimental as they feed and cutholes in clothes.
The larvae feed for up to two years depending on humidity, temperature, and food availability.
They then spin a case and emerge as adult moths in 2 1/2 weeks.
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The cycle begins again, and multiple generations can be produced within a year.
It is this creature thatcuts holes in your clothingand other fabrics.
The adult moths are very small and rarely seen.
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Mothballs or blocks contain naphthalene, a commonmoth repellent.
Naphthalene is best used by scattering the balls in layers throughout the fabric.
It does not react with plastic, but it can corrode some metals.
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It reacts with some hard plastics and can even melt storage boxes and plastic buttons.
Read directions carefully before using.
There are also moth traps, such asthis one from MothPrevention.
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Cedar and lavender can be used if you are looking fornatural moth repellants.
The cockroach is attracted to perspiration and body fluid stains, food and drink spills, and laundry starch.
Toget rid of the roaches, begin by cleaning and sanitizing the areas around your clothing.
Remove soiled clothes, and vacuum away insect eggs and droppings.
it’s possible for you to then use residual insecticides or baits to control the cockroach infestation.
There areorganic methodsof cockroach control that you might make yourself.
They are less toxic but take longer to control the problem.
They do not attack clean clothes.
However, they find body soil, food and beverage stains, and laundry starch very attractive.
Cricket excrement will stain clean clothes, which often happens ifclothes are dried outside.
If you find you haveindoor crickets, begin by removing sources of moisture and food.
You must also find the points of entry from the outside.
Look around light fixtures, and inspect any cracks along floorboards and outside foundation walls.
Insecticides should be used when there are a large number of crickets.
Whether choosing an aerosol product or liquid, follow utility directions carefully.
Its carrot-shaped body is completely silver in color.
Silverfish are found in dark areas around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
They feed at night and stay close to food sources.
They like natural fibers, such assilk, cotton, rayon, and anything starched.
Body soil and food stains also attract contamination.
Once they find a food source, they tend to stay close by.
Firebrats also are usually 1/4 to 1/2 inch long.
The firebrat has a mottled silver and brown coat.
They are wingless insects with carrot-shaped bodies and five legs.
They are active at night and prefer warm spaces, such as attics, that over 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
A thorough cleaning before treatment is a must.
For an infestation, select a spray insecticide that contains synergized pyrethrin and pyrethroids.
Look for listed ingredient bifenthrin, cyfluthrin, tetramethrin, or phenothrin.
Some sprays are an oil-based solution and should not be used near electric motors or gas pilot flames.
They should not be used around food preparation areas.
Organic control can be done using silica gel after cleaning.
Termites
Few people consider clothing damage when thinking of termites.
As they eat the food, they often cut into the fabric causing holes.
Commercial pest control treatment is recommended because over-the-counter insecticides will not solve the problem.
Clothes bugs come into your home as any other insect does.
Open windows or doors and small cracks or crevices can provide an entryway.
Changes in weather, like increases in temperature and humidity, can help them suddenly thrive.
Washing your clothes can remove bugs as long as the water temperature is high enough.
For best results, wash anddry on the highest heatpossible.
Clothes Moths and Carpet Beetles: Identifying and Controlling Fabric Pests.NC State Extension Publications.
Paradichlorobenzene.National Pesticide Information Center.
Termites - Biology and Control.NC State Extension Publications.
