THE CLOTHES MOTH History of Clothes Moths.—The life history of the clothes moth must be understood in order to fight in telligently against it and prevent its ravages. It is well worth while to give the necessary attention to this subject, since of all household pests the clothes moth stands in the most direct and obvious relation to the family pocketbook.
" A garment that is moth-eaten " has been mentioned in the Book of as these are among the most expen sive materials used as garments, floor coverings, draperies, and otherwise, the destruction of such articles in a single season by moths may and often does amount to many dollars. The three species of moths common ly found in the United States are the case-making species, universally distributed in the Northern States; the webbing species or Southern clothes moth, distributed through the Southern States as far north as or farther than the latitude of Wash Job, hence the moth is known to be very ancient and it is distributed in all parts of the world. The destruc tive feeding habits of the larvae have caused them to be very carefully ob served and studied, and there is abundant information as to preven tives and remedial measures against them.
Moths, as is well known, feed ex clusively on animal substances, as woolens, silk, fur, and feathers, and ington, and the gallery species or tapestry moth, which is rare in the United States, and is found princi pally in barns and carriage houses, infesting horse blankets and the up holstery of carriages.
The eggs of the case-making spe cies, which may be called the North ern moth, are laid but once a year, in the spring, the moths appearing from June to August. Professor Fernald states that the eggs are never hatched in winter in the North, even in rooms that are heated night and day; but in the South this species appears from January to Oc tober, and breeds two or more times it year.
The webbing species or Southern clothes moth breeds twice a year, the first eggs being laid in May, and the second in August or September; hence in the North the moth is a summer problem, but in the South it must be fought the year round.
The adult moths do no damage except to deposit the eggs from which the injurious maggots or larva are hatched. Moths choose darkness
rather than light, and select a quiet and secluded spot where they are not likely to be disturbed in which to deposit their eggs. They also ap pear to prefer garments or other ar ticles which are soiled with spots of grease or other organic matter, and the larva appear to choose soiled spots or articles in preference to oth ers. The eggs are very minute, and are lousily deposited on woolens, feathers, furs, or other articles which are suitable food for the larva; but the latter have the ability to crawl from place to place, if necessary, to seek proper food. Hence they may be deposited in crevices of closets, trunks, etc., through which the larva may subsequently enter.
The larva of the moth is a dull white caterpillar. The larva of the case-making or Northern moth sur rounds itself with a movable case or jacket, but that of the webbing or Southern moth merely spins a cob webby path wherever it goes. When the larva of the case-making moth is mature it becomes quiescent and un dergoes a transformation in its case. After about three weeks the moth appears. The larva of the Southern moth when mature weaves itself a cocoon in which it undergoes & simi lar transformation.
To Prevent Moths. — The facts above noted indicate the proper pre cautions to be preserved. In general, the moths must be prevented from laying their eggs on valuable wool ens, silks, furs, or feathers, and the eggs themselves, or larva hatched from them, must be destroyed or re moved before they can do serious damage. The measures necessary to effect these results are: (1) a thor ough cleaning of all wardrobes and other receptacles liable to be infected by moths, and of the floors, espe cially the edges, on which woolen car pets are laid. (2) Treatment with suitable preventives, and the frequent beating and brushing of woolen and other articles, followed by exposure to outdoor air and sunshine. (3) Packing articles not required for im mediate use in tight receptacles, after first removing from them all moths' eggs or larva with which they may be infested. Various moth pre ventives and moth destroyers have been discovered, all of which will be carefully indicated.