Mortein

Moths are grey-brown coloured insects that can fly. With all clothes moths, extensive damage is caused by the worm-like larvae, not the adult moth. The adult moth does not feed and therefore causes no direct damage to fabrics. The female moth normally deposits her eggs on or close to some material suitable as larval food such as clothes, curtains, down or fluff in corners of cupboards.

The eggs may be laid singly or in small groups and are sometimes attached to their host material by a sticky secretion. The eggs hatch in 4 to 10 days and then the young larvae- which are smaller than a pinhead when first hatched - feed continuously for the remainder of their larval stage. Later stage larvae can survive on clean fabrics, e.g. wool, hair or feathers but their development is delayed. Common soil materials such as soup, gravy, beer and other beverages, urine or perspiration make the fabrics quite nutritious.

The fully developed larvae then seek out a place suitable for pupation- a corner or crevice where there is little chance of being disturbed. Some larve develop within tubes made of fabric particles which they carry around.

Adults (moths) mate soon after emergence from the pupal cocoon and egg deposition commences immediately. A single female may lay up to 300 eggs in her life span. Adult Clothes Moths shun light, preferring to stay in dark corners, the folds of curtains and clothing, in cupboards, etc.