Mystery insect larvae/eggs/cocoons?
July 4, 2011 2:56 PM   Subscribe

What are these bug larva/egg/cocoons on my ceiling and hat?

I'm trying not to freak out about this, but I'm in the process of cleaning my desk/closet area and yesterday I discovered these... things on a hat that's been sitting on a corner of my desk, unmoved, for at least eight months or so. Today I looked up and realized there were two on my ceiling.

http://imgur.com/a/Nvobm

I was going to assume it was an isolated incident but now I'm realizing it might be something larger. So what are these? Should I be worried? These haven't moved at all but if I find moving larvae in my room later... Gah.

Posting this in kind of a hurry because I just need to know. And sorry for the blurry photos. I'll try to take better ones if they aren't sufficient for identification.
posted by quirks to Home & Garden (9 answers total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
It looks like stuff that falls from trees actually. Sorry to be so non-specific.
posted by wocka wocka wocka at 2:58 PM on July 4, 2011


Response by poster: I'm quite certain there's an insect in each of these things though.

Also, clickable link to pictures.
posted by quirks at 3:08 PM on July 4, 2011


Best answer: They could be pupae from clothes moths, or indian meal moths.
posted by bolognius maximus at 3:10 PM on July 4, 2011


The extension sheets that I linked to have control methods listed.
posted by bolognius maximus at 3:10 PM on July 4, 2011


Best answer: Those look very much like clothes moths. I say this as someone who is has an ongoing battle with clothes moths.
posted by kimdog at 3:13 PM on July 4, 2011


Best answer: Seconding the clothes moth hypothesis. I have had these for years. Sigh.

They are annoying, and a little creepy but I just get rid of em as soon as I see em and no lasting damage has been done. I havent sprayed or anything, happy to live in a little ecosystem.

Go through your clothes, get rid of what you don't wear anymore and keep things fresh.
posted by salishsea at 3:23 PM on July 4, 2011


Response by poster: Eww. :( Sigh. Okay. I guess this isn't a bad time as I'm cleaning out and decluttering my closet (and my room) anyway. Hoping I don't find anymore though. For the most part I'm really good about only washed things living in my closet.

I have a vague memory of having seen one or two before during the two years I've lived in this apartment, so I guess they've been here, but are not a huge nuisance.

Thank you!
posted by quirks at 3:35 PM on July 4, 2011


The moths don't eat the clothes, the larvae do. But if you get rid of the moths, you get rid of the larvae. They do a lot of damage.
posted by wandering_not_lost at 4:11 PM on July 4, 2011


I used cedar oil to discourage wool moths. Spray it on cotton balls and tuck them in the pockets of wool jackets and pants. Moth balls are pretty toxic.
posted by theora55 at 5:59 PM on July 4, 2011 [1 favorite]


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