The flat diamond-shaped bug, commonly known as the case-bearing moth, is an intriguing creature to learn about.
Its unique appearance and behavior set it apart from other moths, making it a fascinating topic for both entomology enthusiasts and the general public.
Case-bearing moths (Tinea Pellionella), are known for their larvae creating tiny, portable cases from the materials they find in their environment.
These cases serve as both protection and camouflage, allowing the larvae to blend in with their surroundings. Some examples of case materials include silk, tiny debris, and plant fibers.
When comparing case-bearing moths to other moth species, here are some unique characteristics of case-bearing moths:
- Flat diamond-shaped body
- Portable cases created by larvae
- Ability to blend in with surroundings due to case-materials
Finally, let’s list some pros and cons associated with case-bearing moths:
Pros:
- They help maintain our ecosystem by feeding on organic material and breaking it down
- Their unique appearance and behavior make them interesting subjects for research
Cons:
- They may infest homes and structures, causing damage to stored items
- Some species are considered pests as they can harm certain crops and plants.
Understanding the features and characteristics of case-bearing moths allows us to appreciate their role in nature while also recognizing potential challenges they may present.
Overall, these small, flat diamond-shaped insects offer an intriguing glimpse into the fascinating world of entomology.
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Identifying Flat Diamond Shaped Bugs
The case-bearing moth, also known as Tinea pellionella, is a small species of flat, diamond-shaped moths.
Here’s a small guide on how to identify these insects.
Adults
- Size and Color: Adult Case Bearing Moths are relatively small with a wingspan of about 9-15 mm. They usually have a mottled brown color which helps them blend in with their surroundings.
- Wing Shape: Their wings are typically narrow and elongated.
- Behavior: They are more active during night time and are attracted to lights.
- Habitat: They are often found indoors, especially in areas where natural fibers, dried foods, and other potential food sources are present.
Larvae
- Size: Larvae are small, usually around 7 mm in length, but they can grow larger as they mature.
- Case: The most distinctive feature of Case Bearing Moth larvae is the silken case they create and carry around. The case is often camouflaged with debris, such as fibers and sand.
- Behavior: They drag their cases along as they move in search of food. They primarily feed on natural fibers, hair, and dried food debris.
- Habitat: Similar to the adults, larvae are usually found indoors, particularly in carpeted areas, closets, and places where natural fibers are present.
Knowing the specific characteristics and behaviors of these flat, diamond-shaped bugs can help identify the species and take appropriate preventive or control measures.
Biology and Life Cycle
Larval Stage
The larval stage of the case-bearing moth typically consists of caterpillars, which are the most active feeding stage of the insect.
During this stage, the larvae feed on different materials, such as fabrics, hair, and dried plant matter1.
Larvae characteristics:
- Small, cream-colored
- Brown head capsule
- Active feeders
Pupal Case
As the larvae grow, they construct a cocoon-like structure called the pupal case. This case provides protection as they undergo metamorphosis into adult moths.
Pupal case features:
- Made of silk and debris
- Camouflaged to blend with surroundings
- Tightly attached to materials
Adult Moths
Adult case-bearing moths belong to the Lepidoptera order and the Tineidae family. After emerging from the pupal case, they focus on reproduction rather than feeding2`.
Adult moth characteristics:
- Small size, wingspan of 9-16mm
- Light brown to grayish color
- Diamond-shaped when wings are closed
Comparison Between Different Life Stages
| Attribute | Larval Stage | Pupal Case | Adult Moths |
|---|---|---|---|
| Main activity | Feeding | Metamorphosis | Reproduction |
| Typical habitat | Fabrics, hair, plants | Silk & debris structure | Near breeding grounds |
Habitat and Behaviour
Indoor Infestation
Case bearing moths can be found indoors, particularly near walls or in cracks and crevices. They thrive in houses and garages, where they feed on carpet fibers and natural fibers.
High humidity is favorable for their growth, and they can often be found among cobwebs or spider webs.
Places where indoor infestations might happen
- Damaged carpets
- Clothes made of natural fibers
Outdoor Presence
Outdoors, case bearing moths can be found in bird nests and other areas with high humidity. They feed on dead insects and are usually found near walls or other structures.
Examples of outdoor presence:
- Bird nests
- Foundations of houses
- Garden sheds
Comparison of Indoor and Outdoor Presence
| Factor | Indoor Infestation | Outdoor Presence |
|---|---|---|
| Common Habitats | Walls, cracks, crevices, carpets | Walls, bird nests, high humidity areas |
| Feeding Sources | Carpet fibers, natural fibers, dead insects | Dead insects |
| Humidity | High humidity is favorable | High humidity is favorable |
Overall, case bearing moths can be a nuisance both indoors and outdoors. It’s important to monitor their presence in order to prevent damage to natural fibers, carpets, and other household materials.
Prevention and Treatment
Cleaning and Vacuuming
One of the best ways to prevent and treat a case bearing moth infestation is through regular cleaning and vacuuming.
Vacuuming helps remove larvae, eggs, and adult moths from carpets, upholstery, and other surfaces.
- Vacuum at least once a week
- Pay attention to hidden areas like closets and under furniture
For example, if your infestation is in a closet, you can:
- Remove all items from the closet
- Vacuum the entire area thoroughly, including shelves and corners
- Launder or dry-clean affected clothing
Controlling Humidity
Controlling humidity is also crucial in preventing and treating case bearing moth infestations. High humidity levels can create a favorable environment for moths and their larvae.
- Maintain indoor humidity below 50%
- Use dehumidifiers or air conditioning units if necessary
Pest Control Services
Hiring a professional pest control service to manage the infestation may be required if DIY methods are not effective.
- Experienced in treating case bearing moth infestations
- Use of specialized treatments and equipment
However, keep in mind that professional pest control services may:
- Be costly
- Use chemical treatments that may be harmful to some individuals or pets
In conclusion, prevention and treatment of case bearing moth infestations can be achieved through regular cleaning and vacuuming, controlling humidity, and, if necessary, seeking help from pest control services.
Bug Control Recommendation Tool
Other Case Bearing Insects
Household Casebearer
Household casebearers, or Phereoeca uterella, share similar appearances with the case-bearing moths.
However, they are a separate species, known for their unique larval cases made from materials around the house like fibers, dust, and tiny debris.
Although both species create cases, the household casebearer’s case has a distinct spindle shape that sets it apart from the Tinea pellionella.
Plaster Bagworm
Plaster bagworms (Phereoeca dubitatrix) are often found in damp and humid areas.
They look quite similar to household casebearers, with their larval cases made from a mix of silk and debris.
However, they are primarily found in plaster or stucco walls, distinguishing them from other case-bearing moths.
Tineola Bisselliella
Tineola bisselliella, commonly known as the webbing clothes moth, is another flat, diamond-shaped species.
It is a well-known pest, targeting natural fibers in clothing and textiles.
They are beige or light brown in color, with fringed wings. Unlike the previous species, the webbing clothes moth larvae do not build a protective case.
Conclusion
In summary, the case-bearing moth is a nuisance and can cause damage to fabrics and other materials.
One effective method to manage them includes regular cleaning and vacuuming. This helps in eliminating their food sources and habitat.
Understanding the features and characteristics of case-bearing moths is useful for effective pest management.
By comparing these moths with other pests and knowing their pros and cons, one can implement the best course of action to protect their homes from these unwelcome visitors.
Footnotes
- Entomology Department, University of Florida – Case-bearing moth ↩
- Moths of North America – Tineidae family ↩
107 Comments. Leave new
Thank you for writing, I also live in Fla, very helpful, Ty.
Hi, Mo! I’m glad you use the site 🙂
If you think this is amazing, you should see my bunny’s hutch! Today I’ve collected close to a hundred of them. They just keep coming back. The area is mostly free of spiderwebs and other contaminants casebearers would be interested in. Let me know if you want me to take pictures. Tonight I caught a bunch of them writhing on the walls. It was shocking as from my observation, they’re sedentary in the daytime.
Don’t tease us. Send a photo using our standard form:
http://www.whatsthatbug.com/ask-whats-that-bug/
I get these as well. I have a small dog, I have spider webs (what home does not over time) and I live in SoCal. Started noticing them a few years back. I can pick up about 5-8 a day and see them on floors, wall, even celling. We are extremely clean people, like OCD clean, but I don’t think they care since they eat at a micro sized level they eat stuff we don’t even see. I toss them in the toilet to drown them. Creepy bugs pulling themselves around by tongues it what it seems like.
Recently, Daniel Foster wrote you a description of what you thought to be a case bearing moth. They live in south Florida. We live in Northern California and we have similar casings, however, they are rectangular in shape and looks like they have tiny legs surrounding the bottom and look spinny, almost prehistoric. Have any ideas?
Without a photo it is difficult to be certain. Depending upon the building materials, cases in different areas might exhibit variations. Also, we would not overrule Carpet Beetle Larvae based on your description.
I’ve noticed that these NASTY MOTHS ARE EATING MY LAWN AS WELL!
I think you may have carpet beetles
Another South Floridian here. These cocoons are ubiquitous in our area – and after almost 30 years of life, I finally saw one move for the first time just now! Hooray!
Thanks for the identification, Bugman.
Wow, you found one of the oldest postings on our site of a Casebearing Moth Larva. We must have posted nearly a hundred newer ones since then.
Another South Floridian here. These cocoons are ubiquitous in our area – and after almost 30 years of life, I finally saw one move for the first time just now! Hooray!
Thanks for the identification, Bugman.
I just found one of these crawling up my bedroom wall this evening. The one I found had a white spot in the middle on both sides
How do I get rid of these disgusting case bearing moths? I find them every day and just today I picked one up with a strand of my hair hanging from its casing. Will they bite humans or pets? Do they cause any medical harm to people or animals?
Tea tree oil kills them instantly. I put it across the threshold of my porch leading into the house. For real.
Hello,
I’m writing from Dominican Republic. I’ve come across several of these creatures over the months but I didn’t know what they were.
My guess was they were somehow related to the termites that had infested my doors a couple months ago. It was only today that I saw one dragging its shell around across the bathroom floor. Florida’s not so far away. I wonder where else you can find them.
Cheers.
They are cosmopolitan at this point, and they can be found most places humans are living.
Mack, we have them in Cape Town, South Africa too. I always thought they were silverfish pupae, but evidently silverfish don’t go through that extreme a metamorphosis. So thanks to whatsthatbug for my new-found knowledge.
Hello,
I’m writing from Dominican Republic. I’ve come across several of these creatures over the months but I didn’t know what they were.
My guess was they were somehow related to the termites that had infested my doors a couple months ago. It was only today that I saw one dragging its shell around across the bathroom floor. Florida’s not so far away. I wonder where else you can find them.
Cheers.
I have had these bugs fr some time now, starting with one i found in a grandfathers clock I brought from California to Kauai, HI. I am not finding more. They look just like the one above. What kind of moth do they turn into? Will I get morer
Hi I have a fantastic picture I took today of my threadbare carpet which is fairly new with probably a couple of hundred case bearing moths that have eaten away under a wicker storage basket
how can I send you a pic, my pic needs to be on google images to help others !
thanks
You can click the Ask What’s That Bug? link on our website to submit photos.
Hi I have a fantastic picture I took today of my threadbare carpet which is fairly new with probably a couple of hundred case bearing moths that have eaten away under a wicker storage basket
how can I send you a pic, my pic needs to be on google images to help others !
thanks
I have some bugs similar to moth larvae they move from side to side. At first it was in the bathroom walls obviously they must flies, but I don’t see wings lately I found a few in the kitchen area, I don’t have pets and I live in Florida. I would like to know how to get rid of them any suggestions? today I sprinkled boric acid inside and outside the house I hope it would work.
We cannot say for certain without seeing a photo.
Hi- Just found some clothing moths recently. Going through laundry and am finding the case bearing moth larvae but with no heads sticking out, thank god. They seem empty. Is that possible?
So am getting rid of them…does that help? Cannot use anything toxic here…for me and my two older cats. Cannot see any eggs or larvae. Feeling a bit overwhelmed…hardwood floors in whole condo and read I have to vaccuum between all floorboards in entire place???? Do not have enough time nor the money to hire someone….very overwhelmed right now. Have not seen more than a few moths in last few days…does that just mean they’re hibernating/growing?
Please help….thanks.
Case Bearing Moth Larvae may also be feeding on shed pet hair.
Oh my goodness these are ALL OVER my house and my mom and I had no idea what they were! They just looked like dried mud/dirt but then we saw one move and It was crazy! I thought I was seeing things for the longest time. Thanks guys! 🙂
I live in Brisbane, Queensland Australia and have found a few of them around the house before. The first time I noticed one, I thought I was going mad seeing this spec of dirt moving (it was late at night). After closer inspection, the little cute worm face showed itself to try crawl off the paper I put him on.
~Would you guys know what they eventually turn into (ie. type of moth)? Would you be able to share a picture, and discuss their average life cycle term?
Thanks
The adult North American Case Bearing Moth is pictured on BugGuide. It is our guess that the life cycle is completed within a year.
We have been finding quite a few case bearing moth larvae in our house . . . we do have a cat so the shed hair makes sense. I cannot find the moth that lays the eggs that produce the larvae. Can you send us a picture of what they look like?
We have no images on our site, but BugGuide has numerous images.
Thank you – that was most helpful. At least I know what to look for now.
Audrey Ham
Thank you – that was most helpful. At least I know what to look for now.
Audrey Ham
I found one in my shower. Soooo nasty. Are they dangerous????? Or dirty like rats and roaches?????
Not dangerous, nor are they dirty.
I found some in my attic..should I be worried
They are more of a nuisance than a threat.
Thanks ..do they cause any health problems, ,and what steps should I take to get rid of then…or can I dp ot my self…or only a exterminator
Thanks for the 411 bugman☺
My guess is they are fish moths. Have a lot of them crawling up my wall from a previously damp base board. They eat through clothing. Nasty buggers.
I found a few in my bathroom. How did it get there? The first time and I’ve live here for ages! Freaked me out! I have a recording of movements.
im really freaking out now. i have seen these things in the house for awhile now. and i think they are the reason when i get bitten at night? i do not see the actual bugs that bite me but i can feel them crawling. i have welts right after.
i can also feel them crawling on my clothes–but i dont see them on clothes.
i only see the cocoon like thing like the one shown in the pictures. most of these things that i saw dont move. they are just hanging on the wall. under the table. the bunk above mine.
i got bit a lot before (when i did not notice these things above my bunk). after i noticed those things, i did not get bit as much. but i still get bit.
when i spray store-bought insecticides, they will become more active and will bite me more than ever. welts all over my body.
do you guys get bitten?
help me please. how do i get rid of these?
oh. i removed them from the bunk above me that s why i dont get bitten as much.
If you find one of these case bearing moth larva does it mean you’l find more? How do you rid you home of them?
What do they grow into?
Small moths.
Please advise how harmful and how to totally exterminate them. The case bearing moth larva. Found in the bedroom on the mattress.
Thanks
Hi
Don’t worry; case bearing clothes moths don’t bite. I have thousands, I found them living in the carpet underlay when i moved into my rented room. They eat their way up through the carpet and turn into little brown moths. I think they’re cute- whats not to love about a caterpillar that knits it’s own sleeping bag? They are completely harmless, but they will eat holes in your favourite woollens.
but the thing is, I get bitten a lot. And they are the only bugs I see here.
How do you get rid of them?
We do not provide extermination advice.
First noticed these as a kid, called them tubeworms, watched one pulling itself by its mouth until it hit the wall. It stuck it’s head back in,there was some slight movement inside, then the head stuck out of the back side and it started moving along again, very cute. The moths themselves are also very cute, lhey like to sit on my arms, legs and ereader. I remember one hot summer when I had a fan blowing on me and a really big moth landed on my knee and turned his face into the breeze antenna streaming back like a dog with his out the car window. They don’t land on the rest of the family, so maybe I just taste or smell good to them, new moths jump and fly around me like I’m a jungle gym I don’t mind, I love animals, and they’re entertaining.
Thanks for the very entertaining recollections.
OK now we know that these bugs have a name–case bearing moths…so how do we get rid of them is what I’d like to know
yeah, how do we get rid of them?
Pl ease anyone – give information on how to kill these things! I pick up at least a dozen a day. Using my air conditioning all the time – humidity low and house has been thoroughly sanitized. Still have these monsters! Please help!
yeah…I am looking on how to contain these devils
I’ve lived in Jacksonville, FL and Tampa, FL and have only seen them in Tampa. They love hanging out on walls. They aren’t dangerous. I usually just pick it up and put it outside.
Awesome, Ginger. See my comments further down.
Thank goodness I haven’t killed any of them. Poor lil’ critters, I think I’ll try leaving out a dog biscuit for all their hard work. They are so cute now that I know they are not blood thirsty parasites.
Thanks for the info. I ‘ve seen these things on the walls of some offices I’ve been to in the Tampa area, and now I have noticed them in my house. Not really a problem, but unwanted and would appreciate suggestions on how to control them.
I found these in my bathroom (Florida). I understand they like humidity and dog hair! I have 4 dogs. I flush them down the toilet!
I live in the Tamps area of Florida and have the white case moths in my house.
They are the same as the picture Daniel sent you. I do see them creep on the floor and when I spray them tnje moth tries to get out of the case and dies.
I see them flying at night but csant spray them quick enough. HOW do I get rid of them?? Also, how do the multiply or reproduce?
We do not provide extermination advice, but our readership may offer suggestions.
I live in the Tamps area of Florida and have the white case moths in my house.
They are the same as the picture Daniel sent you. I do see them creep on the floor and when I spray them tnje moth tries to get out of the case and dies.
I see them flying at night but csant spray them quick enough. HOW do I get rid of them?? Also, how do the multiply or reproduce?
I grew up in Florida but I have never seen these things till 10 years ago, I do see them in my house often, usually on a wall & I have seen them move especially when they somehow end up on the floor, one was just squirming now but I have never seen a moth in my home & I had no idea what these moving very flat cocoon’s were ?
One just stung me, should I be worried?
Same with my experience. There are approximately 20-30 case bearing moth in our bedroom. First, I thought that they’ll not cause harm in human body. Days after,me and my husband have red dots underarm and it hurts so much. Our skin got damaged after swollen with blood popped out. This insect is very dangerous especially when there is a baby in the house.
My grandson has had what ever it is under his skin itching really bad for over a year I first thought scabies because more than one house hold member had them and they were between the fingers but his will not go away and it’s mainly on his head it’s so bad he itches mostly when he gets hot his head gets these dry crusted patches then he scratches it and it gets puss like stuff then raw sore his whole head is so sore and his body gets fever all over please help me with this I can not get rid of it and the hospital just writes a prescription for cream and antibiotic and it doesn’t go away but I have them for the summer I live in Florida him from Tennessee so all I can do is take him to emergency room his insurance will not work for pediatrician or dermatologist please help me
We regret that we are not able to provide medical advice.
I live in the Port Richey area in Florida and I have been finding these things for about 4mos now. Not having any idea what they were I honestly thought it was just a piece of fuz/dirt until the lil worm stuck it’s head out and stated moving. They are always hanging from my ceiling and walls no matter how many times I clean them up they always come back! Grrrrr!
If these larvae are cleaning up old spider webs and possibly dog hair (I’m unsure if the latter has been substantiated), then I’m happy to leave them be. I came to this site to learn what benefits they might bring to my home since with so many little creepy crawlies that is often the *case* (no pun intended). I liked the comment made by Ginger in this thread-she simply puts them outside when she comes across them. Seems most folks are interested in learning how to exterminate them! We’ve no wool clothing, upholstery, etc in the home, so I’m happy to leave them be. Old web, and ESPECIALLY dog HAIR consumption is a welcome activity in our Los Angeles home (we’re just blocks from the beach, hence more humidity here, I suppose)!
I am being attacked daily by case making clothes moth. I must have hundreds in my house. I can’t feel them bite, but they have destroyed my skin. They bite in a line on my arms and face and leave a huge welt. They are definitely a pest to be worried about, as they seem to like a blood meal. I was told my diabetes attracts them to me. They are also eating my hair! Any suggestions on repellant would be greatly appreciated. I kill the larvae with Thuricide. Adults are a little harder to kill. I use Imidacloprid. (Bayer advanced-complete insect killer). Both are available at home depot.
W.Africa here…We have them too. all over…I get out the vaccum and get rid of them…
I have these on the walls of my shower in Thailand. I thought they were pretty cool and I assumed they were just eating the microscopic algae. I have been letting them clean the walls and just watching them. I guess I’ll need to clean them up before they hatch.
We also have these in India, i see many of them in my house, not sure how to get rid of them. Is vaccum only the way to remove them?
its a good way because the fuss is minimal but I also use a broom
Just got to Florida a couple of months ago. Don’t remember seeing them in California, certainly not in this amount. They’re all over, and I think ‘creepy’. You say they eat fruit trees are they bad for anything else, we have no fruit trees around here. As I try to sweep or wash them off the walls of the house, I often think someone ought to find a way to use them for glue, they’d become millionaires.
Also in florida (Ft. pierce) , what and how do you get them off the house , can’t paint till they are gone and any idea on how they get there in the first place , wonder if they crawl up the wall or fly onto ??
This is informative
Katie I feel this is what is eating me as well. do they look like a flea but bigger on walls? I also have a round black parasites bug with 6 legs in my arm. Please any help would be appreciated. I live in Kentucky by Cincinnati. The brown ones are always in bathroom. I suspect the moisture in bathroom and basement drawing these in. hello please miain KY 48 Gmail
As of May 1, 2017
I have the exact EXACT problem.
But on other note of my discovering this awful moth infestation to this one room one bath place i live (for quite a long time) the mirro i hadn’t moved off the wall for … years maybe. That’s where moth nests attached to the wall and the mirror! I had to pry and scrape off wall. Ok, but before that and to this day i have something else that i found out at least i think it is, but i saved a black flying bug that while cleaning up all this crap tried ot go into my eye! And i put in a baggie or one of those jewelery that my elec. came in with zipper on it. Ok well today one of those bit my ear and it swelled up it looks red and i grabbed it. I just sat down after boarding train to go to work, i had to take my hand and pry it off my ear! It fell apart and hit the floor i couldn’t even see it after that! I had just before leaving home this morning, used ear and nose trimmer to cut back hair out of ears and nose (obviously) and every day i wake up and i’m sure those things are on my face because the same looking lines run down my eyes as if it’s part of one of those legs of that flying creature. I use tea tree oil on my toenail fungus that is horrific! To say the least. And it goes on and on and i’m just now reading about mold yeast and all the like and now it’s hard to go to sleep of course. Last night same drag on and the larvae i douse with spray bottle of 70% rubbing alochol mix and it’s an all the time now deal. It’s like it’s invisible and then it’s there. I’m afraid now to eat in here to sleep in here and it’s hard to just “move.”
I have what looks like small gnats that attack my cats canned food if any is left in the dish. And there seem to be a few in the house flying around. What can I do to get rid of the?
I have been living in this house over 10 years and have not ever seen these until now. Please, How do I keep them from entering home?
Where are they indiginous to? Do they bite, suck blood, and/or leave itchy welts? Thank you!!!
Case Bearing Moths now have a cosmopolitan distribution. They will not harm you.
How do you get rid of the case baring moths?
I just found one of the case moth larvea hanging on my paper towel roll when I picked it up it wasn’t afraid of me and just was picking all the way out I was so concerned to what it looked like that I opened the little pouch it was hiding in and found the little worm inside so freaking amazing what lives in this world. I’ve always thought it was some bug that left an egg sack that I simply just flicked it down the sick. Now I know what they are and will just put it outside. Thanks for the information. No need to be afraid of them. They don’t bite.
mine are outside on my blackberry vines…are they harmful to the plant? should I destroy them?
I live in San Diego and found many cocoons in my kitchen cabinet – some that only store dishes. I have found them near my washer and dryer. Then when I pulled my stove out to clean it the cocoons were everywhere….maybe 100. They usually hang down from where they’ve attached in tiny spaces and when I saw the cocoons I figured the moth had already left – I had no idea about case moths that started with a worm that drags it’s cocoon around. The cocoons seem very flat. and papery. I have the small moths flying around which I want to get rid of. I also have cats. I don’t want these moths in the house because I’m concerned they will eat into my clothes and live in my closet. I vacuumed many of the cocoons. If they are eating cat hair they are probably living in the garage also and I will never get rid of them. I don’t know where these came from because in my entire life this is my first experience with them and my husband has never seen them before either..
We have something similar in southern New Mexico. They are little green worms moving from our mimosa tree to our patio, hot tub cover, around the hot tub, and at the junction of roof , overhang and pillars. Nasty things. We flattened the end of a metal pole to scrape them off high areas and use a wire brush on lower areas. Ive never seen them hatch. We battle them all summer long but this year I will use a dormant oil spray on the tree I tracked them to and hopefully kill the little devils.
Hi, how do we prevent them from growing? I noticed that the more I remove them, the more comes back. What can I do?
Hey, What’s that bug! Thank you forbthe info on the Case Bearing Moth Larvae. I keep seeing these, seen one recently in my bathroom, and had no clue about what it was. I really am leaving a comment to let you know that your reply to the ReputationDefender Service Team has made my day. Best of luck to you!
In above picture, about how big is the cocoon, what does it look like up close and, if say, it were unwrapped and laid out? Like a train track maybe?
I happened to be reading an account last night of researches the great French entomologist Réaumur carried out on the case bearing moths that damage woolen clothes. Of course people had known about ’em for a long time as witness the line in the Bible about putting your treasures in heaven where neither moth nor rust consume; but Réaumur described their life cycle, discovered how they made their cases, and came up with practical ways to protect clothes from their attacks. Réaumur was the What’s That Bug man of the 18th Century.
Thanks so much for this interesting historical perspective.
well, i always find them at my home… honestly i do hate them and always spray perfume on them it kills them.
I vacummed up a whole mess of worms in lint sacks
Think they are eating my carpet. Do they
I vacummed up a whole mess of worms in lint sacks
Think they are eating my carpet. Do they
I have case bearing moth. What is best to rid of it
We do not provide extermination advice.
You have to kill them while in their pouches and continue to destroy everyone you see. I had them when I came to Florida, they hung on my lanai. I just continued to pull them off and smash them until now I have none. Just make sure you smash their pouches and dispose of them or they will return.
We live in Hobe Sound, FL, and have had these for about 5 years now. They seem to be worse in the summer even though the AC is on all the time that time of year. We were told they are called case bugs. I clean the house very thoroughly each week, but I find at least a dozen of them every night on my “hunt”! I drop them in the trash as I don’t like killing any type of living things, but they are definitely creepy. We saw that they like wool to make their casings out of, and deducted that they came into the house when we bought 2 new wools rugs about the time we started seeing them! Regardless of the fact that I get rid of every one that I can find daily, They just keep coming back ??
Is this bug harmful???
How to get rid of them..?
has anyone successfully gotten rid of them? these things started turning up in my room 2 months ago and they’re driving me crazy. i catch and squash almost a dozen each day! and there’s no end to their population. i’ve also gotten rid of flying moths in the house. any proven eradication method is greatly appreciated.
That do bite humans . I just dug two of them out of my scalp. I have been suffering for two years with these monsters. They are in the walls, eating everything they have in front of them.