Where do moths come from in the house - the reasons for their appearance
Surely each of us at least once in our lives has been puzzled by the following question: “Where does moth come from in a house/apartment?” Believe me, even in the cleanest and most well-groomed homes, such a problem may well arise, and the appearance of a small flying pest in clothing or even food can cause not only moral, but even material damage.
Today we invite you to talk about what moths are, find out answers to your pressing questions (how to get rid of moths), and also consider the main reasons for the appearance of such a pest on your legal territory.
General information
Moths are a household pest.
Moths in the house are not dangerous in themselves. But they are an indicator of a problem.
Depending on the species, there are clothes moths and food moths. In addition, there are grain, nut and potato varieties. But the first two individuals are frequent guests in human homes.
These names suggest where the moth nest can be found. Diet preferences also depend on this.
Clothes prefers to feed on natural furs and fabrics, and can migrate to furniture upholstery or carpets in a hungry year.
Accordingly, the food industry prefers groceries, tea or dried fruits.
Moreover, one type of moth does not change its taste preferences and does not switch to another type of food.
What harm does the insect cause?
Groceries affected by food moths become unfit for consumption and must be thrown away. Large food warehouses often suffer losses due to this pest. Food stocks with moths cannot be sold. During their life and reproduction, insects leave scales, droppings and pieces of cobwebs in food. These substances are highly toxic. They can cause severe poisoning and therefore pose a danger to humans.
Clothes moths destroy clothing stocks in closets. In a short period of time, they can render most of the fabrics in the apartment unusable. In particularly advanced cases, they can begin to damage furniture. Clothing affected by the pest loses its aesthetic appearance and, most often, becomes impossible to wear.
Life cycle of a moth
The lifespan of a moth is not very long. But during this period it reproduces quite actively, so it can cause a lot of harm. There are several stages of development.
Development takes place in several stages:
- adult insect.
Life cycle of a moth.
The female lays eggs, their number can reach 200 pieces, and dies after 4-5 days;
- eggs. They are very small and can be collected in one place or spread over some surfaces;
- larvae. Appear small and whitish after 14 days. The lifespan of this pest reaches 50 days, and at this time it causes maximum damage;
- The pupae appear after the insects have eaten enough to make a cocoon. After a month, which is how long this stage lasts, an adult appears.
Important signs
The life span of the pest from the first stage to the end of its life cycle can reach 2 years and 5 months. However, it is directly affected by living conditions, because moths do not like low temperatures and heat. Also, how long moths live in indoor conditions directly depends on the active struggle of the owners.
The process of reproduction takes place sexually, with the participation of individuals of both sexes. Most often this happens immediately after the butterfly appears. After a few days, egg laying begins in the same place where the insects will grow and feed. In comfortable conditions, even 5 generations develop within a year.
Which moth is more likely to appear in the house?
Food Clothing
How it spreads
Moth in the house.
There are several possible ways for moths to appear in a house or apartment. If it is a food pest, it may have been brought from a store or market. If the seal of the food package was broken or errors were made during storage, then it is likely that contamination will occur.
The same applies to the clothing subspecies. It can be carried on things, dilapidated pieces of furniture, carpets that were not stored correctly. They can use thick, long dog hair to move around.
Infection of human housing occurs from the street or ventilation pipes. A butterfly or several can very easily get in from an open window, and then it’s a matter of time before there becomes a whole flock of them.
Brief description of the family
Moths are insects closely related to butterflies, although they are not actually butterflies, except as a general definition, to which the term "moth" also applies. Meanwhile, both moths and butterflies belong to the same order of Lepidoptera, and this is where their similarities end. There are more differences between butterflies and moths than just dry entomological taxonomy. To date, researchers have identified about 200 thousand species of butterflies around the world, and we can say for sure that there are at least five times more known representatives among moths.
All species are characterized by a general structure of the body and vital processes. The antennae of moths, as a rule, are shorter than those of butterflies, and along their length you can find shaggy “branching”, strongly reminiscent of frost on wires. When the insect sits, it folds its wings evenly, giving its body a narrow, flat shape. An exception may be several species that keep their wings unfolded at rest. The size of moths of different species can vary greatly - from a few millimeters to several centimeters.
These insects typically have thick, hairy bodies ranging in color from golden yellow to dark brown. Some species are characterized by a radical black color. The vast majority are active at night and rest during daylight hours in a preferably shady habitat.
Signs of a pest
Moth larvae on clothes.
There are several visual signs that can help you identify pests in your home. The main one, of course, is the flying adult moths. But they are already an indicator of the spread of a large number of pests.
You can recognize the appearance of moths by small larvae in places where they can be very conveniently located: on the back walls of furniture, kitchen units, in unclosed bags of cereals and in cabinets with furniture. Small eggs are most often securely hidden, and they are almost colorless, so they cannot be identified.
Possible reasons for the appearance
There are a number of reasons why moths can enter a home and remain there. One of them, which is the most significant, is comfortable conditions for her.
Moths are often brought into the house by people themselves.
Most often, moths enter a room from the street through an open window that does not have a mosquito net, or through ventilation. If there is a possibility that your neighbors have insects, then it is likely that all their neighbors will have them through the ventilation hole.
If it is not entirely clear where moths constantly come from in your apartment, then you can ask your neighbors if they have any pests. It’s even better to attach a fine mesh to the ventilation grill before the moth starts, so you don’t have to fight it at all.
Where do clothes moths come from?
Most often, moths are brought indoors on things. On furs, carpets or even furniture, several individuals can enter the room, which will quickly multiply and cause damage to clothing.
House moth.
And if there are comfortable conditions for them, like old carpeting or fur, then they will stay for a long time.
Even when purchasing new products, there is a chance of infection, because errors were made during storage in stores or warehouses and infection occurred.
In rare cases, dogs, especially long-haired ones, can bring pests indoors. It happens that butterflies completely accidentally lay eggs on thick fur, and in such a temporary shelter they end up indoors.
It is a mistake to believe that unsanitary conditions or cleaning problems will be to blame. You shouldn’t think about how moths appear in an apartment, because infection can occur completely by accident.
Where and why food moths start
In addition to the accidental way in which food moths get into the house, there is the possibility that they will be brought by housewives unintentionally. It could get into food in pursuit of food.
Thus, sometimes stores violate the rules for storing unpacked or sold goods by weight. These can be various cereals, nuts, dried fruits, spices or food.
Caterpillars of food moths have special vitality. If they have already started in cereals, but find themselves in an unfavorable environment, such as too much cold, they can remain viable for a long time. When conditions change, they will actively begin to feed.
What is
A moth is an insect belonging to the order of butterflies. The size and appearance of an individual depends on its species. House moths usually include clothes moths, furniture moths, grain moths and food moths. All of their adult representatives are small in size (up to 15 mm) and unsightly in color, for example, gray-green, dirty brown. The insect lives not only indoors, but also in nature. For example, there are cabbage, apple, and rye moths.
The feeding method of individuals also varies greatly. All larvae and caterpillars, thanks to their powerful mouthparts, can eat tough and hard food: stems and leaves, nuts, cereals, cabbage, beets. All moth species have their own favorite food, and it is often reflected in the name of the species. In addition, in some varieties, the adult does not have a mouthpart and cannot feed, and therefore lives no more than a week.
These pests live near or directly in a food source, for example, in cereals, cabbage, or on an apple tree. At first, a small nest always appears, where all the larvae live compactly. Nests are also within reach of food.
How to get rid of household moths in an apartment
There are several ways to get rid of insects that have entered the closet or furniture.
Traditional methods
Orange zest is a preventive remedy.
Traditional methods, although quite effective, do not work very quickly. They are best used as preventive measures. These include various herbs that repel adults with their aroma.
They do not affect the larvae. Mothballs were often used for things. It is effective, but things acquire an unpleasant aroma.
There is one proven folk method - shaking . The insect does not like disturbances and changes in climate conditions. Therefore, at the first suspicion of infection, you need to shake up all deposits of rags.
Natural furs and coats should be carefully inspected and checked for damage. In summer you will need to put it in the sun, and in winter in the cold.
Professional methods
Professional cleaning will kill the larvae and eggs.
If the scale of infection is very large, then you need to contact professionals. They quickly and effectively clean all contaminated surfaces.
Under the influence of special preparations and temperature treatments, they will kill all harmful insects and clean the home even in the most inaccessible places.
Aerosols
Aerosols are effective, but quite labor-intensive. To remove all insects, you need to spray all moth-infested parts and furniture surfaces.
The room must be closed for the effect to occur, and then ventilate and wash everything well. Several treatments will need to be carried out, and one bottle of aerosol will not be enough.
Moth sprays.
Fumigators
Most often, these drugs are used to protect against mosquitoes, but they will also be effective against moths. Their use is completely simple.
- The plate or flask with the working solution is installed in the apparatus and plugged into a power outlet.
- When heated, a smell is released that people do not notice, but insects really do not like.
Pheromone traps
The principle of operation of the traps is that they emit a certain aroma and pheromones lure moths. They fall into a sticky trap and die. Such a trap only affects adult individuals; larvae are not lured in this way.
Sticky traps with pheromone.
Sections and tablets
Sections are small plates or bags that are hung in the closet. They repel butterflies, so they are used more for prevention. Usually their effect does not last more than 4 months.
anti-moth tablets also work on the same principle as the sections They are placed on shelves and in hard-to-reach places and are valid for about 3 months.
Review of the best products on the market
Among aerosols, the following brands are most often purchased:
- "Armol". Used to destroy moths on outerwear (fur coats, coats), carpets, curtains, upholstered furniture with natural upholstery. Has a lavender scent. “Armol Expert odorless” is used to treat public places or for allergies. Analogues are Mosquitall “Moth Protection” and “Extramit”.
- “Raptor Moth Protection.” Particularly effective in the fight against clothes moths. If the item is not washed after treatment, the insecticidal effect will persist for a year. After washing, the treatment must be repeated.
- "Clean house". At the same time effective and economical. A 150 ml bottle is enough for double treatment of a standard one-room apartment. Has a herbal aroma.
- “Difox.” Does not leave stains or streaks on the treated surface. Does not affect larvae, therefore requires twice application.
- "Tornado". Protects the house from moths for 6 months. Has a pleasant smell.
The most effective fumigators are:
- "DiK-3". Compact body and low power consumption of 4.5 W are the main advantages of this device. Compatible with liquid and universal action plates.
- Mosquitall. It is an analogue of “DiK-3”, destroys moths in a room of 30 square meters. m.
- Raid. Effectively fights moths, but is more expensive.
How to get rid of food moths in an apartment
With the food subspecies of the pest, things are a little different. They are in the kitchen, and there is the use of potent products with a persistent aroma. Sprays or aerosols are also prohibited.
To remove food moths from the kitchen , you need to:
- conduct a thorough audit;
Moth larvae in the grocery store.
- remove heavily damaged and contaminated cereals;
- carry out temperature treatment of food residues;
- thoroughly wash the shelves with soap or vinegar solution;
- use traps.
A good way is folk remedies. For example, if you place citrus peels on shelves, moths will avoid them.
This article will tell you in more detail about how and what method effectively works against moths in a house and apartment.
Prevention measures
In order not to start a long and tedious struggle for your own things or products, it is better to take a number of preventive measures.
These include:
- proper storage of things and products. Clothes should be placed in the closet only after they have been cleaned and in special covers, if possible. Food products should be stored in sealed jars or bags;
- periodically clean the shelves and wash them. Linen needs to be shredded and supplies reviewed;
- for prevention . You can arrange bouquets of dried herbs and orange peels in the cabinets;
- It is good to inspect things after purchasing and purchase products only from trusted places.
All varieties of moths do not like the scent of lavender, mint, rosemary, citrus, geranium, camphor or cloves. You can buy a ready-made sachet, use a little essential oil, or even put some dried herbs in fabric bags.
