Knowledgebase
Tiny moth #820400
Asked February 15, 2023, 12:31 AM EST
Mesa County Colorado
Expert Response
Based on your pictures, it appears you may have "clothes moths." This type of moth feeds on wool fabric, furs, silk, feathers, and other products made out of animal fibers.
How long have you been seeing the moths?
Any chance you recently brought home any items made out of wool or fur?
For control of the moths, you'll feed to find the source they may be feeding on. Look at all wool and fur items. They prefer dark and undisturbed areas, so look at items you may have stored away. You might find the cocoons or webbing from the moths. Look for any holes or other damage to the wool/fur items.
Dry cleaning the items will kill all stages of the insect. Place the items in airtight containers to prevent reinfestation. Cedar chests and moth balls do repel some moths, but will not consistently kill existing insects. However, paradichlorobenzene (PDB) moth crystals are lethal to all stages of clothes moths and carpet beetles. Hanging a DDVP (dichlorvos) pest strip with clothing should also reduce infestations in closets. When using these products, be careful to avoid excessive insecticide exposure.
Here is more information (scroll down to the clothes moth section) and here.
Let me know if you have any questions.
Lisa
Lisa Mason
Horticulture Specialist
Colorado State University Extension
Lisa, Thank you for your response. These critters appeared last fall mostly in the bathroom so we thought they might have been coming in the window so we closed and sealed it. There have been fewer since then, probably just a few left over. However, I have killed 2 of them in the last week. We don't have any fur clothing or wool because of allergies. We've never seen them on clothing, etc. Only on the white walls. What's interesting is their size, about the size of a small mosquito. The largest ones are 1/10 of an inch or smaller. These are tiny, tiny little flying insects. We've never seen these before nor have our friends or family. We've seen clothes moths before (not here) but they are giant compared to what we see here. We don't know what to spray or use to get rid of them. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
-----Original Message-----
From: Ask Extension <<personal data hidden>>
Sent: Feb 15, 2023 4:09 PM
To: rains2 <<personal data hidden>>
Subject: Re: Tiny moth (#0090329)
Thank you for the additional details on the moth. Unfortunately, I am not able to distinguish a species based on the description and photos. We have so many species of micromoths, it could be a number of species!
Next time you see moths, try to catch a few, and place them in a container. Melissa Schreiner is the entomologist in the Mesa County Extension office, and she may be able to look at your sample of moths. Her email is:<personal data hidden>. You can also reach her at:<personal data hidden>. The Mesa County Extension office is located at 2775 Highway 50, Grand Junction, CO 81503.
Control of moth species in the home usually requires finding the caterpillar food source. Keep your eye open for any small larvae in your home, and note what they could be feeding on. If you see specific areas of your home where the you see more moths, note that too.
It's possible they could be entering from outside. In general, sealing any cracks or crevices, repairing screens, and caulking areas can help prevent insects from entering the home.
Thanks,
Lisa Lisa Mason
Horticulture Specialist
Colorado State University Extension
