Knowledgebase
Is it possible to meet with someone in person to show them a moth for identification? #891527
Asked January 13, 2025, 1:36 PM EST
Hennepin County Minnesota
Expert Response
Here is some information for you. https://apps.extension.umn.edu/garden/diagnose/insect/indoor/flies/small/webbing-clothes-moth.html
https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7435.html
I tried loading choosing and dragging photos in this reply, but having no success. I also sent a reply to Ask Extension/<personal data hidden>. I hope my reply came through there. My earlier inquiry:
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Steve Miles, Hennepin County MN (I am not a bot or AI)
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Thank you for your reply. I've attached some photos of the moths I've found. It appears to me there is more than 1 type of moth. I wonder if photos 1 and 4a and 4b might be clothing moths, when compared to a photo from the second website. I don't know about the others...even number 3 looks like it might be a clothing moth size/shape (to my untrained eye)
I thank you for a photo review. If you have confidence my photos show enough characteristics for clear identification, wonderful. If there's any hesitation or lack of confidence, I would prefer to have someone look at the moths in person. I will gladly stop into an extension office--or wherever necessary (and gladly pay for the identification, if necessary). Please advise if your confidence suggests an in-person stop--and suggest where I might go for such a review.
About 4 years ago, I had a lovely wool coat that was almost "shredded" due to moths, which prompted me to put all clothing and blankets in my porch for a couple weeks to freeze the larvae. If no moth is one that damages clothes, I will be happy. If one is, I will take advantage of the cold weather and, sadly, do the same again. I just don't want to unload all my fabric items from my entire house if it's not necessary, but don't want to risk losing items again.
Thanks very much for the help,Liz Walton.
I tried grouping the photos into a folder: https://photos.app.goo.gl/8j1BsN2n2vNspg9v7 the first 3 images are ones I particularly wonder if they are clothing moths.
Thanks!
Thank you for writing back.
By size, shape, color and location, these are completely typical for
Webbing clothes moth Tineola bisselliella
Management, including freezing, is discussed here. https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7435.html
Thank you for writing back.
By size, shape, color and location, these are completely typical for
Webbing clothes moth Tineola bisselliella
Management, including freezing, is discussed here. https://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7435.html
Thanks very much for the help. You gave me the info I was hoping NOT to learn, darn! All wool rugs, down pillows and jackets, blankets, wool clothing, and anything I suspect may be damaged went into my screen porch last night. I'm not excited about the upcoming extreme cold for my comfort, but am excited about it for killing moths! One bright side to this is finding freezing temps for my household contents is much easier this time of year vs. summer.
Thanks again!