Artificially-created scent
sexually confuses female moths, subsequently stopping them breeding and laying
fabric damaging eggs in clothes
Press Association
Wednesday 13 April
2016 23.58 BST
Last modified on Thursday 14
April 201601.02 BST
Scientists have found a way to
force moths out of the wardrobe: by making them sexually confused.
The trick is to lure male moths
and cover them in a pheromone “perfume”. The scent delivers a message that
says: “I am female”. When female moths get a whiff of the pheromone they lose
interest in breeding.
As a result they fail to lay eggs
which would under normal circumstances hatch out into hungry larvae that munch
on fabrics.
In scientific trials, the
treatment – Moth Population Control Assist – disrupted the life cycle of
clothes moths enough to reduce their populations by 90%. David Cross, from
Rentokil pest control, which conducted the research, said: “[We can] naturally
and humanely curtail moth populations without the use of potentially harmful
chemicals.
“By experimenting with their
natural pheromones and limiting the reproduction cycle, we can effectively get
moths out of the closet and prevent damage to clothes and furniture.”
The treatment uses an
artificially created scent both to attract and then confuse the male moths.
New figures released by Rentokil
have confirmed that the mild, wet winter has improved conditions for clothes
moths and increased infestations in the UK.
Inquiries to the pest control
specialists about moths from members of the public received between December
2015 and March 2016 increased by 20% compared with the same period the previous
year.
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