Moths that are found in Austin are either common Pantry Moths or Clothes Moths.  Both kinds of Moths can be a nuisance in your home. The experts at Magic Pest and Lawn can help you identify and eliminate these pests.

Pantry Moths

Pantry Moths or “Indian Meal Moths” are very common in the United States. Pantry Moths are small winged insects that are typically grey, brown, and tan in color. Female Pantry Moths can lay up to 400 eggs at a time and hatch within the same week. Once the larvae hatch they seek to feed on grains in your pantry. It takes around 2-3 months for the larvae to move into cocoons. Cocoons can be found in nooks and crevices and even underneath food. Moths emerge from their cocoons after 15-20 days as adults repeating the cycle all over again. It is important to note that these moths are not bothered by light.

They are found indoors in kitchens or any other location where food is stored. These Moths stand out because they are attracted to flour, pasta, cereal, grains, bread, spices, or any other dried snack that is stored in your pantry. When they feed, they cause these foods to spoil. 

Pantry Moths come into your home from open doors and/or windows. They can also find their way in through various openings throughout your home like vents. Pantry Moths find their way to the pantry or cupboard. Using airtight food containers is the best way to avoid Pantry Moths. Pantry Moth Infestations are very difficult to handle on your own. Magic Pest and Lawn exterminators will help you get rid of this pest and will help keep them out of your pantry. 

Clothes Moths

Clothes Moths are often mistaken for Pantry Moths. Clothes Moths look like Pantry Moths, but Clothes Moths do not like the light. They like to be in the dark and prefer closets, basements, and attics. Clothes Moths are small, about ½ inch in size and are beige or buff in color. Clothes Moth feed on material and fabric. Clothes Moths prefer animal fibers, like wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt, and leather. They like these fabrics because they contain the protein Keratin. Keratin is the only protein that the moth larvae can digest. Infestations of Clothes Moths can develop undetected causing more damage. 

There are two types of Clothes Moths that are common in the United States; Webbing Clothes Moth and the Casemaking Clothes Moth. Webbing Moths are buff colored with a small clump of reddish hairs on top of their head. While the perception is that the adult moth causes damage to fabric, it is the larvae that eats and damages fabrics. 

Webbing Clothes Moth Larvae spin silk patches as they move through the materials. They feed on concealed areas of fabric, making it harder to detect until the garment is ruined. The larvae graze clothes, leaving feces and damage behind.  The larvae eat clumps of hair on leather. Webbing Moths will spin a cocoon onto the fabric or material that they have fed on. 

Casemaking Clothes Moths have an attached open-ended tubular case that the larvae drag behind them as they move. Fused into the tubular case are the fibers from the materials the larvae have fed on. Casemaking Clothes Moths do not leave behind fecal matter, just holes as evidence. 

Clothes moths prefer to feed on items that may not be used very often or that are stationary. Larvae like to feed in the dark, unbothered. Therefore, everyday clothing, rugs, and carpets in high-traffic areas are not affected. 

Contact the professional pest control and Pantry and Clothes Moth experts at Magic Pest and Lawn to help you find and get rid of Moths before they take over your Austin home!