Question
QUESTION: Dear Jack:

About a month ago I was in the shower and there was one moth in the shower which I killed.  I have a lot of clothes, hanging, and stored in plastic bags in my bedroom closet and the den.  I did put moth balls sporadically in the closets.

Do I have anything to worry about?  I am panicking.

ANSWER: Debbie,

I assume you are concerned about clothes moths. I doubt that you saw a clothes moth but I'd need a specimen to be sure. Here's my reasons: there are many different species of moths and only a very few have larvae that feed on natural fabrics like wool or silk. Plus, clothes moths tend to avoid light (unlike most other moth species) so are usually not seen in a well-lighted room. If you want more detail here's an article about life history and control of clothes moths http://www.livingwithbugs.com/clothes_moth.html including a picture of the adult.

Finally, I'd strongly suggest not using mothballs. Mothballs don't work very well for protecting against moth damage and they contain some pretty nasty chemicals. Here's an article with a bit more detail http://www.livingwithbugs.com/mothball.html about alternatives. Any clothes that have been exposed to mothball fumes should be thoroughly cleaned before use.

I hope this is useful.

Jack DeAngelis
http://www.livingwithbugs.com



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: IT did not look anything like the adult you told me to look at.

Here are some links:

http://www.pestproducts.com/images/mothfly.jpg
http://doyourownpestcontrol.com/drainflies.htm

Why do you say mothballs do not work.  I mean they sell them and people still use them.


ANSWER: I guessed you were concerned about clothes moths because you mentioned clothes and mothballs. Drain flies are an entirely different fly that develops in drains but does not damage clothes in any way. Here's some information about drain flies http://www.livingwithbugs.com/drain_fly.html if you need additional references.

Mothballs are no longer recommended because the chemicals they are made from are so toxic (you can also buy cigarettes and people still smoke). In fact, the chemicals in mothballs have even been banned from use in museums because of concerns over exposure of museum workers.

At any rate, the drain flies can be easily managed using the bacterial drain cleaners mentioned in the article above. Good luck.

Jack DeAngelis



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: The only place that I saw it was on the inside of the shower door and it did not fly.  ANd definitely was gray with hairs.

So do you think it is definitely a drain moth.  I mean clothes moths wouldnt be in showers?

Answer
Does sound like a drain fly. Drain flies are very small, sort of like gnats with a "fur coat". If they were larger, say the 1/2 the width of your little finger nail, it was probably something else. At this point there's no way to be sure without a specimen to examine.

Jack DeAngelis