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Clothes moths are small,
yellowish or golden insects, with narrow wings fringed with
long hairs. They are not attracted to light, and attempt to
hide when disturbed, so the housewife is not likely to see
them. However, they are occasionally seen flying in subdued
light. Most moths suspected by the layman to be clothes moths
are other species, usually harmless accidental intruders. Clothes
moths are most likely to become evident from damaged fabrics
and by the presence of silken webs spun by the larvae. The
larvae can feed on clothing, carpets, rugs, furs, fabrics,
blankets, stored wool products, upholstery, piano felts, and
brush bristles. They may feed on fabrics of vegetable origin
or synthetics, if the fabrics are mixed with wool, or may use
such materials to construct their cocoons.
Four species of carpet beetles comprise not only the most important
group of fabric pests, but also the group that is most difficult
to control. The adults feed largely on pollen and nectar, and
may enter homes in spring and early summer. All damage is done
by the larvae, which develop in dark, undisturbed locations.
Unlike clothes moth larvae, they spin no webbing, but their
hairy cast skins and their sandlike pellets are evidences of
infestation. The cast skins look much like live larvae, and
may give the casual observer the impression that there is a
greater infestation than is actually present.
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