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Small moth-like insects in our house #572237

Asked June 20, 2019, 9:50 AM EDT

Hello,

We've lived in Boulder County for 24 years and our current house for 16.  For the first time, we're seeing tiny (1/4 inch) brownish-grey moths in our house, primarily in our bedroom. We have not seen them in our kitchen or pantry.  Apologies for the low-quality image, but are these a type of clothes moth?  

Thanks!

Boulder County Colorado

Expert Response

It is not possible to give a positive identification from this photo.

Possibly it is a clothes moth, some features seem to be consistent.  But it could be some other small moth.

If it is possibly clothes moth then I would suggest look for the potential food sources of the caterpillars to see if you can find them.  Clothes moths only feed on materials of animal origin - wool, hair, feathers, etc.  The caterpillars will often be associated with a bit of webbing and one species produces a silken case that is pretty easily seen.  Also, their waste is sometimes noticed, which has a granular gritty form.

You could also try to set out a pheromone trap.which catches clothes moths.  I have seen these sold sometimes in hardware stores, and the internet.   They include a female produced sex attractant lure that male moths will be attracted to and then these are trapped.  So, if you put out a clothes moth pheromone trap and catch a lot of moths then you can have confidence these are clothes moths.

Positive identification of this moth will require a good quality (not broken up, most of the scales on the wings intact) be sent to a specialist for identification.  These small moths are notoriously difficult.to identify but if arrangements were made for them to get to CSU, it is possible they could be identified.

The best way to normally handle questions such as this - and to make arrangements when something has to be sent to campus - is through the county office of CSU Extension.  In Boulder County their office is a the Fairgrounds in Longmont. 


An Ask Extension Expert Replied July 04, 2019, 4:37 PM EDT

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