The high amount of traffic that passes through retail stores on a daily basis makes them highly susceptible to pest infiltration. From the retail front, they can gradually make their way into receiving functions behind the scenes, like the on-site storage, and even reach the warehouses where the store gets its supply.
Out of the many pests to watch out for, those that prefer to feed on fabric are the most troublesome, as they can ruin much of a fashion outlet’s stock and lead to significant financial losses if left unchecked. And since these fabric pests typically feed in dark places, it is much harder to notice them at a glance. By the time they are discovered, store owners might already have a large infestation on their hands, which is much more difficult to deal with and inevitably leads to bigger issues that often require commercial pest control services.
What causes fabric pests?
Understanding these pests is the first step to preventing their infestation. Fabric pests’ main source of nutrition is keratin, a protein that can be naturally found in hair, fingernails, and fibres, particularly those that come from animal sources like leather, felt, silk, fur, and wool. Additionally, keratin can get on clothes from dust, pets, or other natural fibres.
Many of these pests prefer to make their nest near their food source. As such, make sure to thoroughly inspect stored products and deliveries regularly to stay on top of potential infestations and spot the early signs of their onset.
Most common fabric pests to look out for
1. Clothes moths
Clothes moths, which are beige-coloured insects that are half-inch in size and feature narrow wings with small hairs, are the first pests that come to mind when people notice holes and other damage on their clothing. These pests (specifically their larvae form) feed on all animal fibres – as well as cotton and synthetics – but only when they are blended with wool or soiled with body oils and food stains. As larvae, they take on a more creamy-white colour and look similar to caterpillars in shape and feed within the folds of fabric by removing their fibres and leaving threadbare spots.
They naturally avoid the light and prefer being in dark areas like closets, so make sure to inspect these spaces in your store frequently. Moreover, clothes moths rarely feed on clothes that get regularly used, hence the importance of regularly inspecting items for long periods or those frequently kept in storage.
2. Carpet beetles
As their name suggests, carpet beetles typically infest carpets, but they also go for other food sources like animal fibres, wood, and blended synthetic materials. Adult carpet beetles are small and round or oval in shape, their size reaches anywhere between 1/16 to 1/8 of an inch in length, and only at their larval stage do they cause damage to fabrics, similar to clothes moths. Female carpet beetles lay up to 100 eggs near or right on top of food sources, which then hatch into larvae after two weeks and immediately start feeding.
3. Termites
While termites in general are primarily known for feeding on wood, they can also damage fabrics – especially if items are stained with food, beverages, or body oils. However, it’s important to note that not all termite species are drawn to clothing. Subterranean termites may occasionally feed on fabrics, while drywood termites, which live within wood structures, are less likely to go for clothing or external materials. If you’re uncertain about the type of termite infestation, arranging a termite inspection in Singapore can help identify the specific species affecting your space and determine the best treatment approach.
4. Silverfish
Silverfish are blue, silver, or grey carrot-shaped wingless insects that eat various things made of starch, protein, and sugar. Fabrics are also a part of their diet, with silk, cotton, rayon, and viscose being their preferred choices. As they discover clothes made from these materials, they will stick close to them and make holes in the fibres during their feeding process. Silverfish prefer to stay in cool and damp places, and their presence typically indicates high moisture in the area. If so, chances are that you have a silverfish infestation on your hands.
5. Cockroaches
Cockroaches are common household pests that need no introduction and are known for spreading diseases and contaminating surfaces with their waste. What most people are not aware of is that they also eat fabrics from time to time. As a refresher, cockroaches are attracted to food crumbs, drink spills, body fluid stains, and laundry starch. Hence, any clothing soiled by these attractants will draw their attention and get eaten away over time, weakening their fibres and causing holes as well as staining them with their waste.
How to treat infected clothing
Once you’ve determined that you have some type of fabric pest eating away at your products, isolate all nearby items immediately and seal them tight in a bag. This ensures the infestation does not spread to other items in your inventory.
Clean the isolated products thoroughly via dry cleaning or regular washing if the infestation is not severe or they have not been damaged yet. Otherwise, any slight imperfections caused by pest feeding will render them unsalvageable and not fit for sale.
Conclusion
Given that profits are at stake, retail brands cannot afford to let fabric pests anywhere near their clothing products. To ensure they remain at bay, it is vital to engage routine pest control services and let the experts handle any potential pest problems before they disrupt your operations.
At PestClinic, we specialise in commercial pest control services catered to different industries, including retail, food and beverage, healthcare, hospitality, and much more. Equipped with extensive know-how and experience in eliminating pests across various sectors, you can rest assured that we will get to the root cause of your store’s pest problem.
