IPM Practices > Fabric Pests

Including clothes moth, carpet beetle, larder beetle

The use of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) to solve fabric pest problems can result in long-term success and the reduction of risks associated with pesticides. However, the key to the success of IPM is using a combination of appropriate techniques. Evaluating the results is essential to determine whether the problem has been solved or the planned solution needs adjustment.

INSPECTION
The Pest Management Practitioner:
1. performs an interior inspection on each service visit, especially in high risk areas such as in and under upholstered furniture, under baseboards, piano felts, wall voids or attic which might harbor animal carcasses, woolens, clothes closets, furs, stored cereal products;
2. observes cast skins and inspects around windows for adult beetles attracted to light;
3. identifies pest species (by adult, larval, or other sign recognition);
4. identifies structural/environmental factors requiring correction.

CULTURAL PRACTICE RECOMMENDATIONS
Fabric insect pest management is dependent on good sanitation and storage. The cultural practices listed below correct conditions that encourage fabric pests. The practitioner must provide written recommendations to the customer concerning conditions that need correction. In some cases, the pest management contractor will correct these conditions for a fee.

The Pest Management Practitioner evaluates, recommends, or corrects as appropriate:
1. regular vacuuming especially under rarely moved furniture:
2. brushing, sunning, or dry cleaning infested clothing periodically;
3. discarding, freezing or heat-treating dead animal trophies;
4. discarding worthless animal skins or hides, and valueless insect collections;
5. destroying old woolen rags and old clothing;
6. storing furs in cold vaults and/or in sealed plastic bags or containers;
7. removing lint accumulations from the edges of carpets, crevices, between floorboards, air ducts and registers.

TREATMENT
Treatment includes both chemical and non-chemical options. However, the use of pesticides is not permitted on a routine or periodic basis. No pesticide application can be made unless both the presence of a pest is confirmed and the pest has been identified.

The Pest Management Practitioner:
1.vacuums entire site and discards bag ;
2. spot treats with sprays or dusts registered for control of fabric pests;
3. sprays or dusts rugs, closet areas, storage areas, and all known or suspected feeding and hiding places;
4. removes bird or animal nests on or around structure.

EDUCATION
It is important that pest management practitioners increase their knowledge of strategies to solve fabric pest problems successfully.
The Pest Management Practitioner:
1. participates in an educational program, addressing the following topics within a three-year period:
a. pest identification
b. sanitation
c. exclusion (including inspection techniques)
d. harborage removal/denial
e. environmental alteration (i.e. ventilation, temperature control, etc.)
f. interception (i.e. inspecting purchased or incoming goods, etc.)
g. trapping & monitoring
h. vacuuming
i. use of heat/cold as control technique
j. use of lighting in pest control
2. other considerations
3. subscribes to one or more professional association, organization, and/or trade publications reporting on structural pest management with consistent coverage of IPM related topics;
4. is an active member of a relevant trade or professional association;
5. provides customer with IPM information;
4. Advanced: has completed correspondence course in pest management in current year.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Carpenter Ants
Small Ants
Cockroaches
Fabric Pests
Fleas
Flies
Occasional Household Pests
Rodents
Stinging Insects
Stored Products Pests
Termites
Glossary
Additional Resources