Connecting to Collections Care

Hello Everyone,

I recently learned that UV Blacklights have the potential to attract webbing clothes moths, and that some people have had success using them as a lure/trap.  

We are considering testing one of these UV light traps in a non-collection area and seeing what kind of results we get.  If there is anyone out there with personal experience that can speak to the level of effectiveness that a UV light trap has on webbing clothes moths, I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts.

Thanks!

-Todd   

Hi Tod

While many insects we try to manage in museums are attracted to light the webbing clothes moth and case making clothes moth are photophobic and will not show up in a trap set near a UV lamp. Pheromones for moth traps was marginally helpful when I looked into alternatives. Nothing is as effective as a thorough examination of all collection items thought to be vulnerable, followed by re-housing and a good housekeeping program. Items found to have evidence of activity are then isolated and fumigated before being cleaned and re-housed. A great resource on the topics of prevention, identification, treatment and monitoring of pests can be found at museumpests.net. 

Best wishes,

Steve

Hello Everyone,

I recently learned that UV Blacklights have the potential to attract webbing clothes moths, and that some people have had success using them as a lure/trap.  

We are considering testing one of these UV light traps in a non-collection area and seeing what kind of results we get.  If there is anyone out there with personal experience that can speak to the level of effectiveness that a UV light trap has on webbing clothes moths, I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts.

Thanks!

-Todd   

Hello Everyone,

I recently learned that UV Blacklights have the potential to attract webbing clothes moths, and that some people have had success using them as a lure/trap.  

We are considering testing one of these UV light traps in a non-collection area and seeing what kind of results we get.  If there is anyone out there with personal experience that can speak to the level of effectiveness that a UV light trap has on webbing clothes moths, I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts.

Thanks!

-Todd