Fabric and Textile pests are insects that damage fabric and paper products. The three main fabric pests we deal with on a daily basis include silverfish, clothes moths and carpet beetles.

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Silverfish

Silverfish prefer damp, dark, warm and humid places to harbor. Because of this they are often found in bathrooms, kitchens, roof voids, wall cavities, cupboards and bookshelves.

Silverfish that are common in most houses and feed predominantly on paper products and fabric found around the home. Outdoors, they may be found living under the bark of trees and garden beds, under rocks, in rotten logs and among leaf litter.

Homeowners most commonly detect silverfish when they find one on the floor or in a sink/bathtub, or they will find holes in their clothing.

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Clothes Moth

Clothes moth consumes wool, fur, silk and hair. If left untreated, clothes moth infestations can decimate entire wardrobes. Clothes moths should not be confused with stored product pest or food infesting moths. Clothes moths prefer the cover of darkness and do not typically fly to lights.

The most visible and easy to identify clothes moths are the males, as the females are weak fliers and prefer to hop or run. Female clothes moths tend to die soon after laying eggs, which they attach to their preferred fabrics. This results in the larval stage being responsible for damage caused to clothing.

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Carpet Beetle

Carpet Beetles are small and oval in shape.  The adult beetles feed on pollen while the larvae feed on a wide range of animal-based items, including silk, leather, fur, wool and animal hair. As a result, carpet beetles may infest carpets, upholstered furniture, blankets, coats, comforters, wool, pillows and clothing. While carpet beetles rarely attack synthetic fabrics, they may feed on these items when they are soiled by perspiration, oil or food. Carpet beetle infestations can spread quickly.

Carpet beetles enter homes through doors, windows and other openings, although they may be brought in on fresh cut plants and flowers, as well. Some carpet beetles make their homes inside the nests of birds or other animals and can live in walls cavities and roof voids.

Both the adults and larvae stage prefer to feed in dark, undisturbed areas. As a result of this an infestation can go unnoticed until it is widespread.

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Stored Product Pests

Stored product insects are Insects which infest stored foods, and are one of the most common household pest problems. They are often referred to as ""pantry pests"" as they infest stored dried foods.

Nearly all dried food products are susceptible to insect infestation, including cereal products (flour, cake mix, cornmeal, rice, spaghetti, crackers, and cookies); seeds such as dried beans and popcorn, nuts, chocolate, raisins and other dried fruits, spices, powdered milk, tea, and cured meats.

Non-food items that may be infested include bird seed, dry pet food, ornamental seed and dried plant displays, ornamental corn, dried flowers, garden seeds, potpourri, and rodent baits.

Stored product pests are most likely to infest products that have been left open, but are also capable of penetrating unopened packaging. They may chew their way into packages or crawl in through folds and seams. Insects within an infested package begin multiplying and can spread to other stored foods not only in the same area but in other rooms in a home.

A stored food product can become infested anywhere during the process from production until it arrives in your home. However, stored food is most likely to become infested in stores or in homes.

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How To Tell If You Have A Stored Product Pest Infestation

There are several ways you may become aware of a stored product infestation. If you find small beetles in susceptible food products, that is a sure sign of a problem. It is also common to find stored product pests in cupboards.

You may find Indian meal moths flying around kitchens and other rooms. You also may find the larval stage and/or silk webbing along the cornices of the ceiling or in corners of cupboards or under shelves.

We recommend storing all foods in air-tight containers, and when you purchase a new product, inspecting it for silk webbing and frass. Ensure that the packaging is air tight (squeeze the packet).

There’s nothing more off-putting than pests in the food you eat! Get professional treatment for stored product pests now.

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Call us today on 1800 896 369 and speak with one of our customer service team members to answer any questions and arrange a treatment.