Clothes moths are a problem for many people's home closets, but for those who run or own stores that sell clothing, clothes moths can cause much more damage. Case making and webbing moths are very small, about 6 millimeters and 7 millimeters, respectively, but the damage they can cause to certain boutiques and retail establishments can be substantial.
Many business owners need to enlist the help of pest control services to get these pesky and detrimental insects out of their stores. Because of the complexity of treating a pest like clothes moths, pest management firms often use an integrated approach to ensure an effective treatment.
If you're worried that there may be clothes moths in your retail establishment, look for some of the telltale warning signs of the two most common clothes moths in North America.
Although moths may be most noticeable and upsetting to potential customers, it's the larvae of these moths that cause the damage to clothing. Named for the cases that they create, casemaking moths build silk-like tubes within the clothing they eat. Casemaking larvae commonly damage wool, carpet, felt and even hemp.
Aside from the holes that these moths make in shirt collars, cuffs and other slightly covered areas, they may be spotted by their webbed tubes too. They're open at both ends to allow the larvae easy feeding in each direction. These larvae like dark and isolated areas, so you don't have to worry about your displays. Keep a close eye on sweaters and other thick winter clothes being stored for next season, clothing in the store room in general and even items on the shelves that may have come in with the pests already.
Webbing moths are also prone to damaging wool items, but can eat hair, fur, feathers and other materials made from animals too. Rather than living in a tube, they're more likely to create a type of silk sheet that they stay underneath. Their webbing is very difficult to detect because they use the threads from other materials and blend in. If you suspect an issue or get a customer complaint, you may want to consult the experts to find any further issues.
The best way to keep clothes moths at bay is to keep your store clean. Although the exterior is likely spotless for the customers, it's important to vacuum and tidy up your store room to prevent moths from settling anywhere.
You probably already know that most people are repulsed by the simple sight of cockroaches. If you are personally dealing with a cockroach infestation, the feelings of disgust are probably even more intense. Unfortunately, the cold winter weather tends to be one of the reasons this pest ends up in your home in the first place, according to Any Pest. While you may know that you don't want to share your home with cockroaches this winter, there are a number of interesting facts about this pest that you've probably never heard.
Because of the high amount of traffic and the versatility of the facilities, pests are naturally attracted to long-term care institutions. Many nursing homes, rehabilitation centers and other care facilities include on-site kitchens and cafeterias as well as private rooms and common spaces. All of these places are susceptible to attracting pests because of the presence of food, water and viable habitats.
During the summer months, some people love to go camping with family and friends. Yet this fun trip can be ruined with a few unwanted visitors, most notably different types of bugs. Crawling spiders, hungry mosquitoes and buzzing flies can become annoying quickly. How can you avoid these pests when you're outdoors? Consider these tips to keep bugs out of your campsite.
Carpenter ants can chew through the strongest studs and stringers in a house as they hollow the wooden beams out for nesting. The resulting damage can weaken the home's structural support and require expensive repairs. Professional pest control workers can remove a colony of ants, but the best practice for homeowners is to learn the best ways to keep out an ant colony and prevent the problem before it begins.
As the weather cools, you'll probably see fewer pests than you did during the warmer months, but that doesn't mean they're all gone just yet. Some insects can actually come out in full force during the autumn, while others might seek refuge in your warm home. Here are some key tips to keep in mind as fall gets underway:
As the middle of summer approaches, you need to be vigilant about keeping your garden free of pests. Many insects breed during the summertime, which means they're on the lookout for great places to lay their eggs. For many bugs, that means near a source of food. In fact, some species of insects will lay their eggs inside budding vegetables and fruit so their larvae have something to eat as soon as they hatch. That's why you have to keep harmful bugs out without damaging the bugs that could help you, such as bumble bees.
You might have noticed that, with the exception of the kitchen, you find more pests in your bathroom than in the rest of your home. This is because insects and rodents see the bathroom as a convenient watering hole. Pests love leaky pipes and standing water because these offer them a hydrating oasis in the otherwise dry biome that is your house or apartment. And if your bathroom develops mold, all the better for pests, who may eat fungus or use it to lay their eggs.
The kitchen is largest gathering place for pests in a residential home. The reason is simple: pests can grab a bite to eat and take a sip of water while they're here. And when they find such a bountiful place, they will return home to their nests and report the finding - before you know it, your whole pantry is a buffet for ants! The problem could get even worse if a piece of food falls somewhere and begins to rot. Similarly, fruit and vegetables you bring into your home may be harboring unseen pests waiting to hatch.
