Finding holes in your clothes can be frustrating and perplexing. In many cases, the culprits are insects that like to munch on fabric. By learning to identify the insects that cause damage, you can take steps to prevent further destruction. This article will cover 8 common fabric-eating bugs and how to spot signs of an infestation. With some vigilance and preventative measures, you can keep these pests from putting holes in your wardrobe.
Signs of Fabric Damage Caused by Insects
Before diving into the specific insects, here are some general signs that bugs may be feasting on your clothes, linens, or other textiles:
- Small holes chewed in fabric, sometimes with frayed edges
- Tiny bite marks or pinprick-sized holes
- Sections of fabric that appear thin or worn
- Presence of dust or powdery residue from fibers
- Tiny dark specks on fabric that could be fecal matter
- Detection of bugs themselves on or near clothing
- Evidence of nests built from fabric scraps
If you notice any of these, inspect carefully for the pests described below. Act quickly once an infestation is found, as insect damage can spread rapidly.
Clothes Moths
One of the most common fabric pests is clothes moths. There are two main species:
Webbing Clothes Moths
These moths create tangled webs on fabric as larvae. Adults are about 1/2 inch long with yellowish beige wings. Signs include:
- Small holes and tunnels within fabric
- Cobwebby nests of silk threads
- Larvae with black heads and tan bodies
- Adults with distinct gold coloring
Casemaking Clothes Moths
The larvae hide in portable cases. Adults have golden brown wings and are about 1/4 inch long. Watch for:
- Holes chewed in wool, fur, or feathers
- Larval cases of fabric debris and excrement
- Adults with dark wing spots
Check for moths in closets, curtains, carpets, and furniture upholstery. Act fast to limit damage.
Carpet Beetles
These circular black beetles and their larvae also like to munch fabrics. Look for:
- Damaged carpets, furniture, clothing, and linens
- Small circular holes eaten through materials
- Beetles about 1/16 to 1/8 inch long with dark oval bodies
- Larvae with banded brown hairs protruding from ends
Shake out infested items outdoors to dislodge beetles. Check under furniture and in closets where they breed.
Silverfish
Silverfish are wingless insects up to 1/2 inch long that consume many materials, including textiles and books. Signs include:
- Irregularly-shaped holes in fabric
- Fragments of mulched-up fibers
- Shedded exoskeletons that appear as dark specks
- Presence of slender grayish insects shimmering as they move
Silverfish like damp areas and feed at night. Reduce clutter and humidity to deter them.
Cockroaches
Roaches will eat just about anything, including cotton, linen, silk, or wool items. Watch for:
- Irregular holes chewed in fabric
- Jagged edges on holes
- Teardrop-shaped roach excrement on materials
- Presence of tan-colored cockroaches in hiding spots
Combat large infestations to limit damage. Reduce clutter and keep foods sealed.
Bed Bugs
While not insects that directly eat clothing, bed bugs can hide in garments and linens, leaving traces:
- Dark ink-colored stains from fecal blood spots
- Pale yellow shed skins or eggs present in crevices and seams
- A sweet musty odor
- Bites on skin after sleeping in infested bed sheets or clothing next to skin
Isolate and heat treat any items that may have bed bugs before returning to use.
Psocids/Booklice
These tiny wingless insects eat fungi, mold, and starchy materials. They sometimes attack books, photos, or fabrics. Signs include:
- Lots of pin-sized holes in damp textiles
- White grains that feel like sand when crushed
- Small grayish bugs under 1/8 inch long clustering together
Reduce humidity and isolate infested items in sealed bags until pests die off. Clean with fungicides if necessary.
Grain Weevils
These beetles infest whole grains but will also eat cotton, linen, or synthetics if hungry enough. Look for:
- Extremely small holes in fabric
- Presence of tiny brownish black beetles about 1/16 inch long
- Sawdust-like weevil feces
Discard infested foodstuffs. Use plastic containers to isolate uninfested items. Freeze or heat treat if these pests are found.
Crickets
Crickets are omnivores and when hungry may nibble on cotton, wool, or synthetics. Watch for:
- Small irregular holes in items on floors or low shelves
- Jagged edges if holes are enlarged
- Presence of dark fast-moving crickets near damaged materials
Reduce clutter and food bits that could attract crickets. Use sticky traps to catch them. Seal cracks to remove entry points.
Preventing Future Insect Damage
Now that you know how to identify the main fabric pests, here are some tips to keep them away:
- Vacuum and shake out clothing/textiles regularly.
- Keep fabrics clean; don’t let food or dirt accumulate.
- Store woolens and off-season items sealed in plastic containers or bags.
- Use cedar blocks or sachets as a deterrent.
- Inspect new purchases carefully for any signs of bugs.
- Isolate and treat infested items immediately.
- Reduce clutter and humidity in closets and storage areas.
- Fix any dampness or water leaks that allow pests to breed.
- Use pheromone traps or sticky traps to monitor for pests.
- Freeze small items for a week to kill all life stages if bugs are found.
- Take severely infested fabrics to a professional exterminator.
With vigilance, prompt action, and preventative maintenance, you can keep fabric pests from ruining your favorite clothes and textiles. Check regularly for signs of damage. Identify the specific insects present. Then apply targeted treatments to eliminate them and keep them away. With this comprehensive guide, you now have the knowledge to protect your wardrobe and home from these annoying and destructive insects.
Frequently Asked Questions About Insects That Damage Fabrics
What are some signs of fabric damage from pests?
Watch for small holes, frayed areas, thin spots, tiny dark specks, grainy or powdery residue, and presence of the bugs themselves. Cobwebs, exoskeletons, larvae, and fecal pellets are other clues to an infestation.
Where should I check for fabric pests?
Look in closets, drawers, carpets, furniture, and shelves where fabrics are stored. Dark undisturbed spaces are most likely to harbor them. Clutter allows them to breed.
What fabrics are most vulnerable to insect damage?
Wool, fur, feathers, silk, cotton, and linen are natural fibers insects like to eat. Synthetics resist bugs better but may still be consumed.
What are carpet beetles and their signs of damage?
Round black adult beetles and hairy brown larvae. Look for small round holes and presence of beetles or larvae in/on fabrics.
How can I tell different kinds of moths apart?
Webbing clothes moths leave silk cases and tunnels. Casemaking clothes moths make portable fabric cases. Both create small holes, but casemakers prefer natural fibers.
Why do clean fabrics sometimes get infested?
Eggs and larvae may already be present. Moths are attracted to wool and feathers. Undisturbed areas give pests time to emerge and breed.
Will bed bugs eat my clothes?
No, but they can hide in clothing and leave excrement and eggs behind. Heat treat items to kill them before wearing again.
What’s the best way to protect stored clothes?
Keep fabrics very clean before storage. Seal in airtight plastic containers or bags. Add cedar blocks or sachets as repellents.
How can I eliminate pests from infested fabrics?
Brush/shake items outdoors to dislodge bugs. Vacuum well. Dry clean or launder if possible. Unwashable textiles may need treatment by a professional exterminator.
What steps can I take to prevent future infestations?
Regularly inspect fabrics, reduce clutter, fix dampness issues, seal food, use pheromone traps, and isolate/treat any infested items immediately. Maintaining a clean environment deters pests.
Conclusion
Finding holes or insects in your clothing and textiles can certainly be disturbing. But now that you know the common fabric pests, you can identify them quickly and take action to eliminate them. Prevention is the best approach to avoid damage. Routinely inspecting fabrics, reducing clutter, fixing moisture problems, sealing foods, and cleaning thoroughly will keep your clothing and textiles pest-free. With a watchful eye and prompt treatment, you can catch infestations early before they destroy your wardrobe.