Which pests destroy clothes?
- Termites
- Crickets
- Cockroaches
- Clothes Moths
- Silverfish
Have you ever found yourself pulling out a piece of clothing from your closet only to find tiny holes that were not there before? If so, then you may have a pest infestation within your home.
There are a number of pests that have different preferences when it comes to the type of material that they consume. They also thrive in different situations. Cockroach, clothes moth, and termite control must be utilized as quickly as possible in order to prevent the spread of these pests.
Read on to learn more about pests that destroy your clothes.
Termites
Besides eating through wooden furniture and weakening integral home structures, termites can also eat through pieces of clothing. This is especially true with clothing stained with food or drinks. As they eat the morsels food on your clothes, they also end up eating through the fabric.
The problem with termites is that once you have them, it is difficult to remove the infestation on your own without a pest control solutions company. However, there are steps you can take to prevent a termite infestation from happening in the first place. First and foremost, you can continuously keep your closets clean in order to prevent any termites from laying any eggs. You should also immediately wash any clothing that has any stains on it to prevent attracting any termites.
Crickets
You may commonly know crickets for the distinguishable sounds they make that echo throughout the night. However, be aware that these insects are also nuisances when it comes to clothing. Similar to termites, crickets are attracted to food and drink stained onto clothing, leaving small holes all over your favorite items. Cricket excrement can also stain your clothing which requires you to wash your clothes all over again — a contributing factor to the deterioration of the fabric material.
To control indoor crickets, clean any soiled clothing right away. Do a thorough check around your home in order to find any openings that lead outside which the crickets may have used to get into your home. Seal those openings along with other holes you may find to prevent other pests from entering. You can also remove sources of moisture in order to prevent the crickets from reproducing to an uncontrollable scale. One of the main ways to prevent the infestation of pests is by keeping your home clean.
Cockroaches
The cockroach is a pest that is attracted to any and every kind of mess. It is especially attracted to moisture, bodily fluid stains, laundry starch, as well as food stains. Just like every other pest that came before in this list, cockroaches can eat away holes in the fibers of your clothes or weaken them to the point of easily tearing. Their droppings can also stain your clothes, similar to crickets. Another problem is that cockroach droppings can also cause asthma and carry diseases that can spread within the residents of your home.
If you would prefer to eradicate this particular pest infestation without the use of pesticide, there are other more natural methods you can utilize. First, you must ensure that all doors, windows, and any other access to the outside are tightly shut at all times. Then, fill up cracks and holes found on the interior and exterior of your home. Cockroaches can also enter through designated areas for electrical lines or water pipes, so do a thorough check and seal them from end to end. Make sure to also shut off any sources of water and moisture in order to curb the reproduction of cockroaches.
Of course, just like the rest, the most ideal solution is to keep your home clean.
Clothes Moths
Clothes moths live in dark and moist areas. This makes your closets and attics the prime place for them to thrive. The problem with clothes moths is not the adults themselves, but their offspring. The larvae produced by clothes moths enjoy consuming wool and cotton garments. This is why if you spot even an adult clothes moth, it is crucial that you take the necessary steps to remove them before they get the chance to lay more eggs. An infestation can quickly ruin a large amount of stored clothing.
Clothes moths cannot withstand extreme temperatures. In the Philippines, it would be ideal to wash your clothes in a hot water wash cycle in order to eradicate all kinds of life cycles. Make sure to catch these pests quickly in order to stop them before they eat through the majority of your clothing.
Silverfish
Silverfish are insects that are extremely attracted to natural fabrics such as rayon, cotton, and linen. They can be found burrowing in your clothes, so keep an eye out for these little critters. Silverfish thrive in dark places with high humidity, making your closets and drawers the ideal place for them to grow. They also need access to water, which means that infestations are also likely to happen around leaking pipes or constantly used sources of water.
Unlike other pests, silverfish will not leave holes in your clothes. Rather, they leave a shaved look on the surface of the fabric. This is important to take note of what kind of pest you may have in your home. To prevent silverfish from growing, make sure to plug any pipe leaks that may attract them. Clean up your home and make sure not to leave scraps of food in order for them not to establish a food source.
Take note of these pests and their attributes in order to figure out the best possible solution to eradicate them. But of course, take note that the best solution is prevention.
Key Takeaway
When you store your clothes, you believe that it will stay in the same condition as the day you placed it inside your closet. However, pests might make their way into your clothes through small spaces and holes found around the area. Silverfish, cricket, and termite control are crucial to save the remainder of your clothes from any small tears and damage. Trust professional companies to provide you with pest control solutions for your pest infestation.
Keep your clothes safe by keeping an eye on unwanted pests lurking in the shadows.