is there such thing as termites or bugs that eat clothes?
I don't know if it's a dumb question but lately I have been finding rips on shirts that are in hanging in the closet. Like a few days ago I pulled out a shirt for my son and it had a hole in it it had been in the closet for a month without using it. I tried sewing it and every time I put the needle trough it teared more like if the fabric was really delicate I just ended up tearing it all. My sons PJ's that are in his drawer have a hole to he uses it every other week. It almost looks like they cut it with the scissors that's what I thought but it's just not seeming right. I don't know if it's the washer. Or maybe because the clothes in the closet spend a month without washing they get a lot of dust and that means dust mites . I don't know has this ever happened to one of you?
2010-04-12T19:01:58Z
I am glad I am not crazy I have never herd of those but were can I buy the moth balls.
2010-04-12T19:09:28Z
I was doing some research and moth balls are bad and especially around kids Is there anything else I can use or do maybe wash all my clothes.
jean ann j2010-04-12T19:56:04Z
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The larvae of moths and carpet beetles will eat on clothes. If you have moths, they would be flying around. Washing the clothes will kill them. Vacuuming real good a lot will help. Putting the clothes in sealed containers will take the food source away from the bugs. Putting dried lavender, cloves, mint or rosemary in the closet will repel the bugs. Carpet beetles live on flowers out side and eat pollen. Some times they decide to go into homes. Bringing in fresh flowers can get them in the house too.
RE: is there such thing as termites or bugs that eat clothes? I don't know if it's a dumb question but lately I have been finding rips on shirts that are in hanging in the closet. Like a few days ago I pulled out a shirt for my son and it had a hole in it it had been in the closet for a month without using it. I tried sewing it and every time I put...
Termites only seem to eat the edges that touch something but the larvae of the clothes moth will zoom in to any bit of edible fabric. They really like old food stains.
Sometimes what is thought to be insect damage comes from the clothes catching on something else, like the wardrobe door, seatbelt cover or even the edge of a desk or table. Take a good look to see if the holes are random or in similar positions on each garment. That's a dead giveaway.
Damage from wear may not be apparent when the article is laundered, even being missed when the item is tumble dried but then seen when it is taken from th wardrobe.
Bottom line is moths are likely but check to see if it doesn't have another cause.
Clothes moths can be controlled with insecticides, cedar oil or balls, pheromone baits, heat or just washing or vacuuming them away.
if it were moths larva doing the damage you would see moths flying around when you opened the closet... over the years 99.9% of all clothing damage from insects that I have come across were carpet beetle larvae, but these and moths will only attack clothing made from animal such as wool, silk, fur, etc.... chances are you are witnessing dryer / washer damage or the fabric deteriorating from just wearing out...most clothing material does not last forever