I totally agree with Patrick.

To get a decent control, that pesticide has to get in contact with the moth and 
better with the larval stage. I think that product may have some repellent 
effect, but it won't be effective. It may have some effect but if it is sprayed 
in an enclosed environment and maybe multiple sprays are done, so still no 
recommended.

Best thing to do is to look for the sources, where are the moths laying their 
eggs?, where are the larvae developing? If you find the breeding spots, you may 
find some parasitoids as well

Beside the pheromone traps, have you (Somebody else) tried light traps? Usually 
for moths, light traps work well around dusk time but still not enough if the 
source of infestation persist

Kind regards,

Henry

________________________________
From: 'patrick.dejong' via MuseumPests <[email protected]>
Sent: Tuesday, October 7, 2025 3:13 AM
To: MuseumPests <[email protected]>
Subject: [PestList] Re: Webbing Clothes Moth spray treatment

Hi Kate,

''If we are going to spray, I want it to be effective.''

Unfortunately spraying against clothing moth is in most cases not going to be 
effective. You want to know where development is taking place (root cause 
analysis) and want to know structural and hygienic recommendations regarding 
this development from a PCP - pest control professional. In the US there are 
senior pest control inspectors around that are capable of doing this. For 
example, an ACE (associate certified entomologist) or BCE (board certified 
entomologist) inspector.

Has the current pest control organization ever done a Pest Risk Assessment? Did 
they say what regions of the building are risks?

Clothing moths can also develop inside mouse or rat bait stations containing 
old toxic or non-toxic bait blocks. Or dead rodents that were not removed from 
a trap in time.

With regards Patrick

Op maandag 6 oktober 2025 om 20:57:35 UTC+2 schreef Kate Fugett:
Hello All,

I am considering options to treat clothes moths in a film screening room and 
hallway and would appreciate your thoughts.

A bit of background:

We frequently see large numbers (20+) of webbing clothes moths flying in the 
screening room and hallway, which does not have any accessioned objects, but is 
adjacent to a gallery with rotating exhibits. The hallway and screening room 
are carpeted, and the walls have a textile on them. It is unclear what the 
exact materials are. Though this area is regularly cleaned, hard to reach areas 
are dusty providing enough to munch on even if the textiles themselves are not 
food for the moths. The room and hallways are kept dark, perfect for watching a 
short film and for webbing clothes moth to flutter around as much as they would 
like.

We monitor this area and adjacent exhibit spaces with pheromone traps which 
have shown we have webbing clothes moths throughout the museum, but not in such 
high numbers. We are considering a spray since there are no accessioned 
objects, this area can easily be closed to visitors, and it is such an ideal 
webbing clothes moth breeding ground.

Our pest company has given us two options:

  *   A green option: EcoVia CA: Thyme Oil – 0.88%, Rosemary Oil – 0.53%, and 
Cinnamon Oil – 0.26%

  *   PTPI: Pyrethrins - 0.5% and Piperonyl butoxide - 4.0%

Both would be administered in an aerosol spray. I am especially curious about 
the green option but have not had much luck finding anything on the efficacy of 
these oils on webbing clothes moths. Does anyone have any experience using this 
combination of oils or any of these oils on webbing clothes moths? If we are 
going to spray, I want it to be effective. I don't want to simply push these 
moths into other areas of the museum especially since there are galleries with 
accessioned objects nearby.

Thanks for your help and thoughts!

Kate


[cid:09d21440-2856-4a8a-8a6c-6f54a149acbe]

Kate Fugett | Preventive Conservator

NATIONAL SEPTEMBER 11 MEMORIAL & MUSEUM

200 Liberty Street, 16th Floor | New York, NY 10281

www.911memorial.org<http://www.911memorial.org/> | [email protected]

O: 212-266-5210 | C: 215-280-2211



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