The world’s smallest professional pest controllers?

According to Rentokil, these tiny wasps, measuring less than 0.5mm in size, offer a groundbreaking, sustainable solution to a common and persistent pest - the textile moth. This moth control method harnesses the power of nature’s own pest controllers to target and eliminate textile moth infestations.

The parasitic wasps lay their own eggs inside those of the moth, which prevents the moth larvae from hatching, thus providing a non-toxic and highly effective alternative to traditional moth control methods. 

To capture the small but mighty creatures, Rentokil Pest Control partnered with award-winning macro-photographer and conservationist Matt Doogue to showcase the wasps at work. The selection of striking visuals demonstrate the wasp's tiny size against a range of common household items, from on top of a grain of rice to walking over a wool fibre, balanced on the very edge of a penny coin, and of course, parasitising a moth egg. 

Despite their small size, the Entosite parasitoid wasps pack a powerful punch in managing infestations of Common Clothes Moths and Case-Bearing Clothes Moths; notorious for causing damage to natural fabrics such as wool, silk and leather. Found in dark, undisturbed areas of homes, museums, and heritage sites, these moths can quickly create irreversible damage to clothes and valuable textiles. 

The new pest control service, offered by Rentokil Pest Control in the UK,  can be used in most instances of clothes moth infestations, but is particularly valuable in venues with priceless textile works such as museums, historic venues and theatre collections, which are not suited to more traditional moth control solutions such as fumigation or heat treatment, which could potentially damage valuable and delicate textiles. 

This innovative approach focuses on the pupae stage of the moth life cycle; the stage at which the larvae cause the most damage. By targeting moth eggs before they hatch, the wasps effectively break the cycle, preventing future generations of textile-destroying moths.

Paul Blackhurst, Head of Technical Academy at Rentokil Pest Control, said: “Entosite is a revolutionary non-toxic solution that sensitively and effectively eliminates clothing moth infestations from delicate, fabric and textile items of sentimental or historic value.”

 

How it works:

1. The adult wasps seek out moth eggs and deposit their own eggs inside.
2. The wasp larvae then consume the contents of the moth eggs, preventing them from hatching into destructive larvae.
3. After pupation inside the moth eggs, the adult wasps emerge ready to continue the cycle, providing ongoing protection against moth infestations.
4. The wasps will eventually die out, once they have no eggs to consume. 

The wasps are released from specially designed sachets, which after establishing the extent and locations of the infestations thorough survey by Rentokil’s pest control professionals, can then be strategically positioned as part of a professionally integrated Pest Management approach in wardrobes, drawers, or anywhere textile moths pose a threat. These sachets are designed for a slow, timed release, ensuring a steady supply of wasps over several weeks, maximising the treatment’s effectiveness.

This service is not only highly effective in controlling both the Common Clothes Moth and Case-Bearing Clothes Moth, safeguarding delicate textiles from costly damage, but it also offers significant advantages over conventional methods. Being non-toxic, it poses no risk of contamination and is safe for use with delicate fabrics and around family members and pets. 

Additionally, as a sustainable and environmentally friendly solution, it has zero negative impact on the environment, making it an ideal choice for eco-conscious customers. What’s more, it is cost-effective, providing long-term protection at a lower cost than conventional treatments like heat.

For more information about the Entosite Textile Moth Control service or to purchase sachets for treatment, visit: https://www.rentokil.co.uk/moths/business-service/clothing-moths-entosite-parasitic-wasps/

Images

Image 1: Image of entosite parasitoid wasp from Rentokil Pest Control, measuring less than 0.5mm in size, shown against a penny for size comparison. The wasps are used as pest control against textile moths by laying their own eggs within moth eggs.

Image 2: Image of entosite parasitoid wasp from Rentokil Pest Control, measuring less than 0.5mm in size, shown against a grain of rice for size comparison. The wasps are used as pest control against textile moths by laying their own eggs within moth eggs.

Image 3: Image of entosite parasitoid wasp from Rentokil Pest Control, measuring less than 0.5mm in size, shown against a woven strand for size comparison. The wasps are used as pest control against textile moths by laying their own eggs within moth eggs.

Image 4: Image of entosite parasitoid wasps from Rentokil Pest Control, measuring less than 0.5mm in size, parasitising moth eggs. The wasps are used as pest control against textile moths by laying their own eggs within moth eggs.

Image 5: Image of entosite parasitoid wasp from Rentokil Pest Control, measuring less than 0.5mm in size, shown against a common housefly wing for size comparison. The wasps are used as pest control against textile moths by laying their own eggs within moth eggs.