Imperial Moth

by Web Master on May 6, 2012

What is an imperial moth?

The imperial moth is a fairly large moth that grows a wingspan measuring an average of 4.5 to 5.5 inches.  It is often found in the North American region, including Canada and Mexico and from the Atlantic Coast to the Rocky Moutains. Its scientific name is Eacles Imperialis. In older times, the moth has been recorded in various areas like southern Canada, New England, Gulf of Mexico and the Great Plains. In more contemporary times, the range where it is found has been limited to the northern part of the American region. The population of imperial moth has steadily declined in the northern United States. Factors behind the decline remain unclear.

The imperial moth is nocturnal and can be spotted flying around brightly lit areas like streetlights during the summer months. Its larvae feed on different tree types like elms, sycamore, hickories, pines, oaks, sweetgum, maples, walnuts and willow. It belongs to the Family Saturniidae which also includes giant silk moths like the Luna moth and the Polyphemus moth.

Development Stages

The imperial moth caterpillar usually wanders before finding a spot to eat. The firs instar, or development stage before sexual maturity, lasts for only a few dates. At the end of an instar, the caterpillar spins a small amount of silk on a major vein of a leaf. It then latches onto the silk using its anal claspers and prologs to begin to molt. It starts to become dormant before undergoing apolysis, wherein the cuticula is separated from the epidermis. After a day or two, it undergoes ecdysis, or the molting of the cuitcula. The caterpillar then comes out from its old exoskeleton and hardens as it enters its next development stage. The caterpillar may even eat its old exoskeleton for additional nutrition.

Like most Saturniidae caterpillars, the imperial moth undergoes five instars.  Variation between the caterpillars can only be observed by the third instar. Imperial moth is known for having to basic color schemes- black/orange and green/yellow, although variation of colors may also occur on the spines, body, head and feet. At the end of the fifth instar, the caterpillar leaves the tree and crawls along the ground looking for a soft soil patch where it will pupate.

Pupa

After feeding on the trees for months, the imperial moth prepares for its next development stage by climbing down the trees and going to the underground. It pupates by digging itself under the soil. At this stage, the moth is no longer interested in feeding.

Adult

The adult imperial moth emerges once a year to mate.  The mating season for imperial moths vary depending on their range, from mid-summer to as late as October.  The female moth positions itself in a spot to emit pheromones,  a scent which is picked up by the male located even a mile away. After the imperial moths mate, the female moth will lay its eggs on host plants like maples, sweet gums, pines and oaks.  The caterpillars will emerge after 10-15 days to feed on the leaves, while the mother moth dies shortly after.

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How To Get Rid Of Moths

by Web Master on April 6, 2012

How to get rid of moths is often a persistent question in many people’s minds, especially during the period from spring to autumn. Moths seem quite unassuming creatures and look quite innocent. However, they like to eat fibers and can destroy expensive clothing especially your woolens and cashmere within a short time. Moths also have spurs on their legs, which carry different germs and allergens that cause allergic reactions. They also frequent pantries and eat food even from packaged containers. Initially you might not even notice these pests until they have become a full-fledged infestation and destroyed quite a bit of your possessions.

The first step in how to get rid of moths is to thoroughly clean your wardrobe or closet where you store your clothes. This means removing all your clothes and giving them a wash. If some of your clothes need dry cleaning then you need to do that as well. It could work out a bit costly, but there is no other way to get rid of the moth infestation permanently. You will also have to clean the wardrobe itself by giving it a wash with soapy solution and water. Wash the curtains in the room and also thoroughly vacuum carpets and furnishings. If you have a garden, you will need to find out if there is a moth nest anywhere, and destroy it. Make sure the outside surroundings are kept clean and without any clutter.

After you have completely cleaned your wardrobe, clothes and outside surroundings, it is time to put your clean clothes back. However, an infestation can occur again anytime, and hence you need to put some anti moth products inside your wardrobe. Many people rely on naphthalene or mothballs, but they emit quite a noxious odor and contain harmful chemicals. You would not want your garments smelling of chemical, and the smell is quite difficult to get rid of, even when you air your clothes.

The best natural alternative is to use cedar. Moths hate the smell of cedar and do not frequent places that have cedar chips or a block. However, you should note that cedar will lose its scent after some time, and you will need to either sand the cedar block or apply cedar oil on the wood. Another natural product that is quite effective against moths is lavender. You can either make sachets of dried lavender or place cotton balls dipped in lavender oil inside your wardrobe. Mint leaves are also quite effective and they can be placed in sachets or as loose fresh leaves. If you do not mind a spicy odor then a combination of rosemary, thyme, cloves and ginseng is quite an effective moth repellent.

The level of humidity is also another important point to consider if you want to know how to get rid of moths. These pests thrive in moist places and if your home has a high humidity level, you might need to consider installing a good dehumidifier, which will keep the area dry.

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Moth Infestation

by Web Master on March 6, 2012

Moth infestation- Reasons and remedies

Moth infestation can cause considerable damage to furnishings, clothes and leather items. Moths live in cracks and in dim lit and damp areas  like pantry shelves and closets.  Moths are attracted by flowering plants on which they feed on the nectar . and moth infestation can thus happen due to the presence of nectar producing plants  in your  garden. Moths also reach your house through infested grains, food items or clothes, which is difficult to prevent.

Cloth Moths lay eggs on leather items, fur and felt whereas pantry moths choose grains, flour and grains for laying their eggs.

Dealing with moth infestations

Get started by tracking the source of the infestation. Make a thorough exploration of the areas in your house that are likely to be moth infested like pantry areas and storage. Do not forget to check bird seed and pet food too. Clean up the pantry shelves and storage areas, use a moth spray, was all clothing items in hot water to kill the larvae and eggs of the moths to make sure that the moth infestation does not recur. Shampooing of carpeted closet would make sure to wash off all the strains of moth eggs and larvae. Install pheromone moth traps in the areas that are susceptible for moth infestation. Vacuum cleaning will help you to remove all the eggs and larvae of the moths from the storage and closets. Clean the rugs, mattresses , upholstery and the corners and hidden areas of your home thoroughly to make sure that the moth larvae is destroyed fully. Washing the clothes and drying it in sun will eliminate the chances of recurring moth infestations.

In case the moth infestation is serious, it is recommended to seek the services of a professional pest control agency, which will make sure to remove moth infestations fully without causing any damage to your furnishings and accessories at home. Moth infestations can be prevented by keeping your home clean and hygienic. Thoroughly wash clothes and furnishing items and use moth repellents in  the house to get rid off the moths. Buy moth resistant clothing materials. Chemical methods should be opted for only as a last resort. Moths might  cause skin allergies and rashes in some. You should be aware of the species of the moths to decide the best eradication methods.

Though it might appear that it impossible to prevent moth infestation fully, with a bit of determination and hard work, you can bring the situation under control and prevent moth infestations in future.

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Moth Eggs

by Web Master on February 6, 2012

How moth eggs destroy your clothes

Moth eggs can destroy your wardrobe without you actually realizing it. Moth eggs are so small that they can be hard for the naked eye to see. These moth eggs are laid down by the female clothes moth called Tinea Pennionella, a small tan-grey moth that has a wingspan measuring 1.5 centimeters. Tinea Pennionella is notorious for feeding on fabrics of feathers, wools and furs and even synthetic fabrics with wool, as well as soiled fibers with traces of food.

Moths have a life cycle that last for around 90 days, with female adult moths living for nearly a month and capable of laying a maximum of 300 eggs. After mating, female moths lay 40-50 eggs during a span of 4-21 days. The larvae hatch can live for 50 days before pupating. It is during this period that the moth eggs feed on the fibers of clothes. Larvae pupate by wrapping themselves in a silken case covered with fiber and excrement. While pupating, the larvae drag its bodies in silk turban, feeding on the fiber until they turn into moths. The cycle repeats as they mate and the female moths lay eggs again.

Essentially, the larvae that hatch from the eggs are the ones that damage the clothes. The adult moths actually don’t pose any threat to knitwear. Larvae feed on hair, wool, linen, silk and cotton- practically anything that their mouths can feed on.

Larvae convert keratin, a protein found in wool and hair, into essential nutrients. Larvae don’t drink water but depend on the knitwear for moisture. These hungry hatchlings like to feed on old sweat and liquid spillages. Female moths are skilled in finding dirty clothes and knitwear for their eggs to hatch, and where their larvae can feed on for days.

Larvae eat on holes, leaving silken cases, threads and pellets all over clothes. In turn, these cases and pellets provide new sources of foods for the next batch of larvae that will feed on the knitwear.

Clothes that have unexpected holes are potential breeding grounds of larvae at work. Larvae can be described as cream caterpillars with heads colored black. Female moths on the other hand have white heads and wings that measure 2 centimeters in width. Moths rarely fly, with males hopping around to find potential mates, food and hideouts.

Getting rid of moth eggs

In order to get rid of moth eggs, be sure to keep your clothes clean. Clothes should be free of food, hair particles and skin. Avoid putting dirty laundry in your wardrobe, or putting once worn clothes back in the drawer. The wardrobe should also be kept clean all the time.

After getting rid of clothes moths, ensure that the larvae won’t return by putting moth repellent products. You can place moth repellent on the rails of the wardrobe, or put a large bowl of natural herb potpourri inside the wardrobe. Stir it often to give off a scent that will discourage moths from returning to the wardrobe.

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Moth Balls

by Web Master on January 6, 2012

Everything you need to know about Moth balls

Mothballs have been in use in homes since time immemorial. Apart from keeping moths and cockroaches at bay, these white balls will also keep the clothes fresh smelling during damp season. Mothballs are still hugely popular in households where these are used to protect books and clothing in the storage spaces. These are quite effective against mold infestations and silverfish.

What are moth balls?

The characteristic smell emanated by mothballs is caused by the chemical naphthalene. Nonetheless these days, it is being replaced by para-dichlorobenzene, which has a similar odor, but is less combustible.

Pest Control

The strong odor of mothballs has a repulsive action against most of the pests like cockroaches and ants. These can also be used in gardens to keep away even deer and rats. However you should be cautious while using it indoors if you have pets. Mothballs also might have an adverse effect on the friendly microorganisms in soil.

Health Risks

Mothballs can be poisonous if ingested and can often lead to many health complications or even death. Owing to the high levels of risk, people often choose safer options to safeguard their clothing.  There is a risk for small children and infants ingesting the mothballs mistaking them for candies. So make sure not to leave moth balls at places where the kids can reach.

Moth Ball Toxicity Signs

Mothball toxicity signs in pets like cats and dogs include vomiting, lethargy, diarrhea.  In serious cases liver and red blood cells could be affected, leading to death. If you suspect moth ball toxicity, seek the service of a veterinary doctor immediately. Do not try o induce vomiting or do any first aid as it could aggravate the situation.

 Proper use

Store mothballs in an airtight container or sealed bags that would not let out the vapors.  Use only a few moth balls and not a whole packet as inhalation of vapors could cause headache, sweating and nausea among humans too.

It is recommended to wash the clothes that have been stored with moth balls before using them. Some people could be sensitive to the chemicals in the mothballs and might develop skin rashes while coming in contact with them. If you are unable to wash the clothes before using, atleast make sure to air it to remove the smell and vapors. If you are using moth balls as air fresheners, make sure not to use these in closed rooms. It is used to safeguard clothing made of natural fibers like cotton or wool and not with synthetic materials like rayon an d nylon, which are not infested by mold.

Choose the adequate amount of moth balls and use with caution to make sure that the safety of the family members are not compromised while ensuring the protection of clothes.

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