Irish homes are braced for an annual influx of moths which can cause “significant damage” and “destroy” items.
Experts are urging the public to be on alert for the insects so they don’t end up being “very costly”.
Rentokil says this is the time of year when moths begin breeding and become “more active”, invading Irish homes and causing damage with their unusual eating habits.
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They can create holes in textiles and fabrics such as clothes, carpets, blankets and curtains as well as stored goods by feeding on them.
Moths are most likely found in spare bedrooms, under mattresses, infrequently used wardrobes and attics.
Rentokil says moth larvae feeds on fabric and can cause “significant damage” to clothes, blankets, carpets, curtains, and upholstery.
A spokesperson said: “The presence of moths can become very costly for home or business owners, both financially and emotionally - nobody wants to find holes in a quilt handed down from a beloved grandparent or in a carefully stored wedding dress. And no one wants to see their hard work wasted with stored products destroyed through moths feeding.”
There are four commonly found species of moth in Ireland - each with a preference for different textiles, and each varying in the damage that they cause to materials.
- Common clothes moth cause irregular shaped holes in textiles
- Brown house moth larvae is attracted to animal-based materials such as feathers and leather
- Case bearing clothes moth larvae causes smaller and more regularly shaped holes in textiles
- White shouldered house moth larvae are less damaging to textiles as they scavenge on a wide range of food
Rentokil has advised the public to be on the lookout for moths this Spring to start Spring-cleaning early to avoid damage.
Richard Faulkner, Advanced Technical field Consultant with Rentokil said: “There are a number of steps that people can take to guard against the presence of moths. By following this advice, you can help to avoid moths infestations in your home or business."
- Always ensure that clothes are clean before storing them – soiled and dirty clothes are more likely to attract moths.
- Ensure that clothes which are stored for long periods of time such as suits and wedding dresses in appropriate sealed bags or suitcases.
- Use fly screens or keep curtains drawn at night to prevent moths entering your home.
- Clean and Vacuum regularly in order to remove moth eggs before they hatch, this is particularly important in times of the year with increased moth activity such as in the spring and summer.
The top three counties which accounted for the most moth callouts from Rentokil for the past 12 months were Dublin, which accounted for 70% of moth callouts, Cork (21% of callouts) and Donegal (6%).
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