The moment when you see a moth in your house, you may ask yourself “are moths dangerous?” or “do moths bite?” or “how can I get rid of moths?”. Do you really need a moth treatment because they can bite people, or because their larvae want to chew your pantry foods and clothes?
Do Moths Bite? Are Moths Dangerous?
Yes, moths are dangerous to humans and pets!
- Their faeces and cocoons contaminate food
- Touching infested food or fabrics can trigger an allergic reaction
- Consuming contaminated food can cause illness
Do moths bite humans? No. they don’t. Moths usually found in our homes are absolutely not interested in biting people. Majority of moths even don’t have mouthparts. Even though they don’t bite us, they may cause allergic reactions because of the wings!
What Do Moths Eat?
The first thing most people notice is the damage caused to clothes, fabrics or carpets but there are other indicators of a moth infestation. However, moths don’t actually eat fabric, their main purpose is to reproduce, it’s their larvae that do all the damage. Another cause of carpet or fur damage can be fur or carpet beetles rather than moths. These textile beetles along with house moths are often referred to as textile pests.
Where Do Moths Live?
A moth infestation can develop very quickly. Not only do their numbers increase quickly, but they can also spread into almost any space. Wherever there are cracks, holes or crevices, moths will find an entrance and a refuge. If you leave a tiny hole in a wall after some DIY work, you’re inviting moths in. Only the most robust barriers can keep them out. And once they find a food source, they’ll quickly set up a large camp nearby. Although moths live for only a short time (two weeks), they can cover a few hundred meters in their lifetime.
Moths are extremely mobile. They can scurry across surfaces and even up walls! So once they establish themselves in a corner, they can spread very quickly to other parts of the house. When they get going, they could infest an entire block. Don’t forget to check out types of moths before finding the way to get rid of them.
3 Steps to Get Rid of Moths
So what should you do if you suspect an infestation? How can you get rid of moths quickly? Time is of the essence! Remember that moths spread quickly. To prevent a population explosion, you need to eliminate the larvae. Moths reproduce very quickly so you need to remove the larvae as soon as possible. Otherwise, you could have another infestation very soon.
- Find out where the heart of the problem is. It might be in a wardrobe, chest of drawers or cupboard. It should be fairly obvious because you’ll see the most signs of damage in that particular area.
- Start to get rid of the moths by using moth traps to catch the adults, and vacuuming regularly in the affected area to remove all the larvae.
- Thoroughly launder all your clothes and other fabrics in the infected area, such as bed sheets, linen and blankets.
Do you think you have a moth problem? Contact us today for immediate assistance from a Rentokil expert near you. 
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