Bedroom and Office Pests that Eat Clothes and Books

Imagine taking out your favorite sweater and finding a hole in it. You pull out another jacket and see the same thing. Pests are already a considerable nuisance, but what could be worse than dealing with an infestation in your clothes and books? To make this matter worse, various pests could be damaging your clothes and books, not just one. 

Here are the most common culprits that could be damaging your property and what you could do to get rid of them. 

Carpet Beetle

There are varied carpet beetle pests. While the adult bugs only live for approximately 20 to 60 days, they can lay up to 100 eggs in this time, meaning that your closet has become a breeding ground. Once the eggs hatch, the larvae feed on items such as wool and paper. This can become an even bigger problem as the larvae last for up to a year. 

The adult beetles can be identified by their round and rigid bodies. They also have wings beneath their shells. The larvae essentially look like fizzy worms. 

Case-Bearing Clothes Moth

Not only do these moths cause frustration, but case-bearing clothes moths are not very appealing to the eye either. They can also do a great deal of damage to your clothing, books, and carpeting. These insects make holes in your clothes because they feed on the fur, hair, and wool. 

The adult clothes moth is approximately slightly longer than ¼ of an inch. It usually has a pale silvery-brown-gray color and is covered in dark spots. You often find the larva covered in a case of wool and other materials from your clothes.

Book Lice

Book lice may not be harmful to human beings, but this is certainly not the case for your household items. These are tiny and pale-colored bugs that have quite a disturbing appearance from up close. 

The starches found in books, fabrics, wallpaper, paintings, and furniture are what attracts these insects to your home. They are also attracted to high levels of moisture, so this is something you want to avoid.

One positive factor is that they do not feed on human blood, unlike normal lice. 

Cockroaches

A cockroach is just about everyone’s worst nightmare. These pests are persistent and very difficult to get rid of. They are un-welcomed house guests that you simply cannot get rid of. Cockroaches are known for their ability to multiply in numbers; therefore, if you notice any sign of them, it is time to take action. 

They are attracted to warm climates and traces of food and water. Simple things like food stains on clothes and turning the pages of your favorite book with greasy fingers is what results in these items being eaten. 

Various species of roaches also exist; hence, you need to know what type of roach you are dealing with so that you can get rid of them appropriately. Common types are the American cockroach and German cockroach. 

Silverfish

These creatures might be one of the worst pests to deal with. When one thinks of silverfish, it is right up there with cockroaches. These bugs like to destroy clothes, books, and wallpapers. Not only do they eat these items, but they also do damage with their excrement. Simple to say, if you have a silverfish infestation in your home, you want them gone fast!

Firebrats

Firebrat bugs are identified by their long antennae and slender hair structures. They are grayish-brown in color and have dark speckles across their backs. They have a tapered body shape from front to back. 

They often eat your belongings as they like to hide amongst the clutter in our houses. They can contaminate and damage your books and clothes, but they do not spread diseases or bite humans. 

Crickets

This may come as a shock to many as crickets are often found outside; however, these creatures find their way into your home once their food sources dry up. They chew holes in just about everything in your home. They are not fussy with what they eat; hence, anything from natural to synthetic fibers and paper works wonderfully for them.  

Termites

Termites have been associated with their ability to cause damage to your home for plenty of years. You have to be extra cautious of your books and clothes if you are dealing with a termite infestation. They are attracted to oils, foods, and drinks. People often spill or leave traces of these things on their clothes or books. They eat through all of these objects, which results in holes in all of your belongings. 

How to Get Rid of These Book and Clothes Eating Pests

You can attempt the following methods as an effective plan to get rid of these pests:

• Seal up all food – Ensure that all dry foods are sealed up so that they do attract these pesky creatures. 
• Reduce humidity levels – Most bugs love humid and moist environments. You can eliminate these factors by investing in a dehumidifier or making sure that there is sufficient ventilation throughout your home. 
• Declutter your closet and bookshelves – You are making it very easy for these creatures to eat through your books and clothes if you are allowing these items to pile up. Get rid of things you no longer use so that they have no hiding places. 
• Use a few traps – There are specific traps you can purchase for insects. Put these traps in your bookshelves and dressers, and drawers so you can prevent unwanted guests from coming to these locations. 
• Fill all cracks and gaps in your home – Make sure that you do not have entry and exit points for these pests. If you fill up all these points, the bugs are not going to be able to get close to your books or clothes. 
• Frequently clean and vacuum your home – This way, you can remove any larvae or identify the start of an infestation. Regularly cleaning and moving objects around does not give these creatures a chance to settle. 
• Call pest control services – If you get uneasy at the sight of bugs, it may be time to call in a professional. 

Conclusion

This is a topic that makes the hair on your arms stand up; however, there are efficient ways to deal with the problem. By doing what you need to do regularly, you can avoid these pests from taking over your home and destroying the things you value.  

If you’re looking for the right team to handle the issue for you, Synergy² is here to help. We provide trusted services throughout the area, so contact us for the best pest control services around.