Clothing becomes a popular food source for many different pests. Some of these pests include clothes moths, silverfish, and carpet beetles, all of which have been known to feed on fabrics. Here are six pests that eat clothes to watch out for.
1. Silverfish
These pests feed on a variety of food sources, clothes included. Clothing fabric has nourishing substances that silverfish can’t resist. Their small bites can leave yellowish stains and holes in clothes, resulting in their damaged condition.
Read also: What Are Silverfish And How To Get Rid Of Them
2. Cockroaches
Cockroaches will eat different organic materials like clothing fibers. Sweat, food stains, and laundry starches may draw cockroaches to your clothing. They will devour the substances until they put holes in them. These clothing pests can be a health risk to humans because they carry disease-causing germs that they can leave behind in your possessions.
Read also: 7 Cockroach-Related Diseases To Watch Out For
3. Termites
While termites are known to damage home structures, they can also destroy clothing. Just like cockroaches, they are drawn to your body oils and the stains of food and beverages on your clothes. You’ll likely find these bugs in linen closet because they can munch away on wood.
Read also: 5 Myths About Termites That You Need To Know
4. Moths
When it comes to clothing pests, the moths are on the top of the list. They can leave permanent damage to the organic materials of your clothes. Even if the adults don’t chew clothing, they can stain it when they lay their eggs. Their larvae feed on fabrics like wool, cashmere, and mohair.
5. Carpet Beetles
Another type of pests that eat clothes is carpet beetles. Their larvae are the ones to watch out for as they can damage clothing out of hunger. Fur, feathers, wool, and other clothing materials are food for them. Like moths, you wouldn’t want these pests inside your closet.
6. Crickets
These bugs don’t eat clothing fibers. Crickets consume food and body substances left on the clothes. As they chew away at the stain residue, they may fray or cut clothing threads. Their excrement can also stain your clothes which can be removed by laundering the garment.
How to get rid of pests that eat clothes?
Checking your closet for bug signs and vacuuming can help remove adult pests and their eggs from your clothes and closet. If your home prevention measures can’t keep your clothes secure from clothing pests, ask Greencare pest control for help. Our specialists in NEA pest control in Singapore can assess your situation, apply the necessary pest treatments, and give helpful advice. Give us a call today!