When an insect chews on a hole in your favorite sweater, there are likely more holes to follow. That is unless you can identify what kind of bug made the hole. Moths are always the first insect to blame, but crickets, cockroaches, or beetles could also be to blame. Once you know what is causing the problem, you can get rid of them using specific insecticides or organic methods.
Next we are going to tell you which are the insects that can cause holes in your clothes and in this way, find a solution as soon as possible.
Carpet beetle
There are three species of carpet beetles that look very similar. The only difference between them is their coloring pattern:
- Variegated carpet beetles: These beetles have a solid or spotted coloration of black, white, brown and yellow. The larvae are oval or elongated and have brown or black bristles.
- Black carpet beetles: Attagenus has solid black bodies and brown legs as an adult. The larvae can vary from light yellow to golden to dark brown. The bodies of the larvae are conical from head to back.
- Common carpet beetles: These beetles have black, white, red, and orange scales. Their larvae are reddish-brown in color and covered with fine hairs.
Female beetles lay soft, white eggs in hidden places in clothing, furniture, cracks in the floor, and carpet. Eggs hatch from 8 to 15 days and hatch more quickly in warmer climates. Most carpet beetles generally produce four generations in a year, which is a lot compared to black beetles, which only produce one generation per year.
It is not the adult insect but the larvae that feed on the fabric. They start feeding as soon as the egg hatches. The larvae consume natural fibers such as wool, mohair, fur, and feathers and can crawl from place to place. They are most often discovered in fabric, but can live in dark crevices, including air ducts, cabinets, and behind baseboards.
Clothes or case moth
If you see a worm-like insect with a hard shell, it is the larvae of the clothing moth in the box. It is this creature that pokes holes in your clothes and other fabrics. It feeds on fur, flannel, wool, dirty fabrics, and hair. Adult moths are very small and are rarely seen.
Cockroaches
The cockroach is a serious pest: their droppings can cause asthma, transmit disease, and stain clothing. Also, the cockroach will damage clothing and any fabrics in the home. Roaches are attracted to perspiration and body fluid stains, food and drink spills, and starch from clothing. As the cockroach eats these spots, it can cut holes in the fibers or weaken them to appear.
Crickets
Crickets are not commonly believed to be an insect that burrows holes in clothing, and they do not delight in clean clothing. However, they find body dirt, food and beverage stains, and laundry starch very attractive. The crickets will eat the remnants of the stain and during their party they will often cut the threads of the fabric. This is often not discovered until after the garment is washed or worn and a sudden hole appears. What's more, cricket droppings can stain clean clothes; If you discover an infestation, you should re-wash your clothing before wearing it.
Clothes or webbing moth
The clothes moth (Tineola bissellielle) is a small pale gold-colored moth with a small wingspan. A weak flyer, it rarely leaves dark areas. Adult moths are not dangerous to wool, cashmere, or mohair clothing, but the larvae can be harmful as they feed and cut holes in clothing.
The female moth lays hundreds of soft white eggs that adhere to the fabric and hatch quickly. The larvae feed for five weeks to two years, depending on humidity, temperature, and food availability. Then they spin a box and emerge as adult moths in about two weeks. The cycle begins again and multiple generations can occur in one year ...
As you can see, there are quite a few insects that can feed on your clothes. It is important that if you find clothes with holes, find out what is the reason to be able to eliminate the plague of insects in your home as soon as possible. If you cannot stop the infestation or you think the case is too serious, then you will need to call a professional to exterminate the pest you have at home.