Carpet Beetle Clothes Moth Larvae

Clothes moths today with less clothing and carpeting made of wool clothes moths are less common than they once were.

Carpet beetle clothes moth larvae.

The damage is often mistaken for clothes moth larvae attack. Carpet beetles are often found in natural situations such as birds nests wasps nests and animal burrows and in some museums and houses they have a direct route into the premises from nests in attics and chimneys. This species is considered both a fabric pest feeding on woolens and a stored product pest that infests grain. Damage to fabrics and materials is caused only by the moth larvae grubs the adult moths do not feed.

Items that are stored for long periods are especially at risk. The larvae caterpillars still graze the surface of woolens and will feed on other items including those made of hair fur silk or feathers. The carpet beetle larva is a fuzzy slow moving light brown or blackish worm about 1 4 inch long. Identifying and controlling clothes moths carpet beetles and silverfish clothes moths.

The caterpillars are white with dark brown heads. The larva is up to one fourth of an inch long and carrot shaped with a fan of long hairs on the tail end. The damage it does is similar to that of the clothes moth larva but without webbing. Such pests seldom infest items used on a regular basis.

They do not damage rugs and carpets in regular traffic areas or where routinely vacuumed.