There are more than 2000 moths species worldwide and about 200 in Europe and 80 in the German-speaking regions. We will in the following introduce you to the three most well-known and widespread moth species: The pantry moth, flour moth and clothes moth.

The house moth belongs to the most common food pests in our Region. House moths are up to 10 mm long and their wingspan is about 15-20 mm. House moths feed mainly on cereals and cereal products, legumes and nuts, coffee, cocoa powder as well as dried fruit (which also gives them the name „dried fruit moths“). Now and then they also feed on fresh fruit. The female house moths can lay up to 300 eggs that hatch and develop into caterpillars within a few days. Until the caterpillar becomes a moth it takes another month – but the life time of the hatched moth only lasts two weeks and only serves the purpose of reproduction.

Just like the house moth, the flour moth belongs to the particularly widespread stored product pests. She is one of the biggest local species with a body length of max. 14 mm and a wingspan of 28 mm. Flour moths feed mostly on food supplies such as flour, nuts and legumes in which the larvae will be nested and which will provide the best food resource during their growth process. The meal moths that hatch from the caterpillar have a lifespan of about two weeks.

The most widespread moth in a household is the clothes moth. With a wingspan of 10 – 15 mm she is just a little bit smaller than the house moth. Contrary to their name, clothes moths do not only occur in wardrobes and in furniture, but also in nature where they can be found in nests of mammals and birds and feed on animal hair. In the house they prefer to infest clothes and furniture which are made of hair-like substances, such as wool fabrics, furs, upholstered furniture or carpets. Synthetic fabrics and cotton are not affected by the clothes moths. The female moths lay up to 250 eggs out of which butterflies hatch after two weeks. The hole that can be found in clothes, textiles, upholstered furniture and carpets are caused by the larvae of the clothes moths that literally eat themselves through the material during the growth period.

Wingspan up to 22 mm, caterpillar up to 20 mm in size. Mostly brought in with supplies. Indication: White cocoons and feces in the supplies.

Female lays eggs on to the packaging, larvae invade. Caterpillars infest flour and pasta, seeds, muesli, nuts, legumes, chocolate, pet food. 

Discard infested food supplies. Clean cupboard, vaccum (especially cracks). Sticky traps with attractant catch moths and indicate infestation. Combat with the help of ichneumon wasps (Trichogramma-Cards).

Source: http://www.test.de/Schaedlinge-im-Haus-Das-grosse-Krabbeln-4097218-4097224/

Wingspan 12 to 16 mm. Is brought in or flies in. Caterpillar lives in a tightly woven tube or in textiles.

Larvae feed on textiles, furs, carpets and feathers. No health risks

Wash infested textiles in the 60 °C program of your washing machine, hang to dry in the sun or for three days in the deep freezer. Sticky traps indicate infestation. Patschuli oil, lavender or cedar wood, Neem oil. Use ichnemon wasps.

Source: http://www.test.de/Schaedlinge-im-Haus-Das-grosse-Krabbeln-4097218-4097224/