There have been over 2,500 moths identified and recorded in the UK but not all of them pose a pest problem to humans. They rarely bite and they don’t sting but what they do is lay their eggs in our homes and it is the emerging larvae that chew away at material and fabrics.
They don’t spread disease which is why they are given a low danger rating but the damage they can cause can be expensive to put right…
Why do moths come into the home?
Moths are attracted to light. They are a nocturnal insect, related to the butterfly with some moth species having incredibly ornate wings. They can be seen fluttering around all kinds of light sources at night, from bright solar lights in the garden to street lighting.
And around light bulbs and light fittings in your home. They enter at dusk and at night through open doors and windows, essential when the summer temperatures are high.
Unfortunately, a few moth species can do damage to clothes, soft furnishings and other materials. This happens because they lay their eggs on material and when the larvae hatch, it chews on the fabric.
How do I know it’s moths?
Moths and carpet beetles leave very similar patterns of damage – usually perfectly round holes in carpets, rugs, under sofas and other upholstered items, in stored clothing and other fabrics.
The Pest Technician will perform an onsite assessment – for FREE! – and determine if it is a moth or a carpet beetle. It is important to do this as treatment for each is different.
Once positively identified and treatment agreed upon, we will go ahead and make sure that your moth problem is dealt with effectively.
How can moth problems be stopped from happening again?
Closing windows and doors as soon as lights are switched on and making sure that any stored clothes and other garments are clean and dry (and moth-free!) before they are safely packaged in plastic.
Many people think that moths won’t bother them as they only lay eggs on natural materials. But here’s the bad news – moths have been known to lay eggs on materials with natural materials of 25% or less.
