Let s look at how are they able to trespass on your property.
Carpet moth larvae cocoon.
The larva moults within the case and when fully grown it pupates within the cocoon and eventually the adult moth emerges to mate and lay eggs.
Carpet tapestry moths tend to lay their eggs in the darkest patches of your carpet such as under furniture behind curtains or by skirting boards.
Synthetics aren t so much at risk.
Eventually making a cocoon and hatching into moths to repeat the cycle.
The carpet tapestry moth does not only feed on carpet but will also eat clothing fur animal skin and any textiles or upholstery made of natural fibres.
In warmer areas they can go from egg to pupation into adults in little over a month.
The larvae do the real damage.
Tinea pellionella are carpet moth lavea in a cocoon case they look like tiny bullet shaped cotton bud tips with open ends and the creature sticks its head out and can move the cocoon usually up walls and are often found in the bases of divan beds.
Alamy i f you have never heard of the case bearing carpet moth tinea pellionella you are lucky they have probably not invaded your home.
Infested material is often littered with empty silk bags or cases figure 6 which resemble grains of rice.
Their larvae which are caterpillars are voracious eaters.
The larvae then leave a mark everywhere they go.
Eggs hatch into larvae and larvae pupate into carpet moths.
Case bearing carpet moth larvae on fabric.
The eggs are only 1mm long but once hatched into larvae search for food immediately and along with wool can consume cotton linen and silk.
The adult carpet moths can easily fly in through windows doors or cracks.
Some moths such as the clothes moth may find their way into homes.
Each larva spins a cocoon when it pupates so the presence of silk like casings also indicate carpet moths.
First and foremost any opening can be inviting for these moths.
Clothing moths these are the ones that eat wool come in two varieties case making moths which are most common in the southern us and the webbing moth which has a much wider range.
They eat a lot.