Pest Management Professional, July 2016
CallbaCk Cures fabric pests By Dr Jim Fredericks Contributor T he common name of some fabric pests can be misleading for pest management professionals PMPs battling persistent infestations In most accounts one is less likely to find carpet beetles and clothes moths in floor coverings and garments than in other natural fiber sources Carpet beetles Dermestidae and clothes moths Tineidae commonly infest items containing materials made from natural animal materials like furs wool feathers or hides All of these items are found far less frequently in carpets and clothes today compared with just a few decades ago so alternative food sources must be considered to locate the source of the infestation Fabrics of vegetable origin cotton for example and synthetic fibers will not be attacked unless they are interwoven with animal fibers wool cashmere angora etc or they have been soiled by food urine or sweat Because most fabrics in todays household closets are made from cotton or synthetic fibers PMPs should carefully inspect infested structures for other materials such as animal hides bird nests fishmeal dried milk and down comforters or pillows Dead insects and rodent baits are of particular concern because availability of these items in a structure are often directly related to the activities of the PMP Overwintering pests such as multicolored Asian lady beetles Harmonia axyridis boxelder bugs Boisea trivittata cluster flies Calliphoridae and brown marmorated stink bugs Halyomorpha halys that have perished inside wall voids can sustain large populations of carpet beetles Rodent baits that have been forgotten in dark corners of attics or hidden away by rodents can also be suspected and should be identified and eliminated The bottom line When inspecting a structure for fabric pests dont automatically assume the source of the infestation is clothes or carpets Instead start with an interview with the customer to identify all of the items that may be infested pmp You can reach Dr Fredericks VP of technical and regulatory affairs for the National Pest Management Association NPMA at jfredericks@ pestworld org Termatrac T3i now includes the All New Direct Moisture Meter NEW Compared to commonly used moisture meters the T3i device Works better in extreme humidity Works well on different types of building materials and surfaces Penetrates deeper more than 25 More accurate readings narrower sensor INDUSTRY PROVEN ENTOMOLOGIST VERIFIED Non invasive inspections via MOVEMENT MOISTURE THERMAL sensors Call 404 210 5633 or your local supplier 60 July 2016 pest management professional mypmp net Photo istock com Dario Lo Presti Fabric pests Whats in a name www termatrac com
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