Some insects can help manage household pests, but others—like Phereoeca uterella, or kamitetep in Javanese—can be damaging and difficult to detect. Commonly known as plaster bagworms or household casebearers, these tropical moths are frequently found in warm, humid places such as closets, garages, and basements.
Kamitetep are most noticeable in their larval stage, where they carry a flat, gray, portable case made of fibers, dust, and debris. These cases serve both as protection and, later, as pupal shells. The moths go through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Adult moths are small, about half an inch long, with grayish-brown scales.
These pests feed on a wide range of organic material, including dust, hair, lint, wool, silk, feathers, paper, and even dead insects. Although they avoid cotton, they can cause damage to clothing, rugs, and important documents. Kamitetep often hide in dark, humid areas, especially around fabrics, baseboards, cardboard, and light fixtures.
To get rid of them, start by vacuuming corners, closets, and storage areas. Remove visible cases and seal off cracks with caulk or weather stripping. Reduce humidity using a dehumidifier, and keep your home clutter-free to eliminate hiding spots.
Regular cleaning, proper food storage, and fast disposal of food scraps can help prevent future infestations. If home remedies fail, use insecticidal sprays or contact pest control. Though kamitetep don’t bite or spread disease, they reproduce quickly and feed on spiderwebs—so alert exterminators if spiders are also present.