Get rid of clothes moths - here's how!

Clothes moths can be a problem all year round, but spring often sees a surge of issues. That’s because the warm weather encourages them to hatch out of their winter cocoons. From there, they search for a dark, humid space which goes undisturbed to lay their eggs. And seeing that the larvae loves to feast on natural fibres, such as wool, silk and cashmere, that makes our wardrobes a prime attraction.

Should a moth find its way into your wardrobe, and go unnoticed, you’ll be dealing with more than a potential infestation, your clothes and carpet will take the brunt of the damage, showing holes with each meal. That’s why it’s best to catch this problem as early as possible, and deal with moths promptly. If you need guidance, here we cover everything you need to know about getting rid of moths, as well as preventative measures moving forward.

Know your enemy

Even if you haven’t discovered holes in your clothes (yet…), the presence of certain types of moth in your home is a warning to take action. Look out for the brown house moth (8mm long with bronze, black-flecked wings) and the common clothes moth (6-7mm long with paler, beige wings). If they lay their eggs in your home, the larvae that hatch from them will feast on your fibres.

These grubs have a particular taste for animal fibres, such as wool, silk, cashmere and angora, but they will also target cotton fabrics if there’s nothing else available. They don’t differentiate between clothes or soft furnishings so even if you discover moth damage in your wardrobe, don’t assume your carpets are safe.

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Hunt them down

Contrary to popular belief, moths aren’t just drawn to light. In fact, they will seek out dark, undisturbed places to lay their eggs, such as the back of your wardrobe or seldom-opened drawers. Check in these spots for signs of creamy white larvae with a brown head. They’re hard to miss as one female moth can deposit anywhere from 50 to 1,000 eggs at a time! They’re also known to leave behind a musty smell in greater numbers.

At the same time, check areas of carpet underneath rugs and underneath or behind seldom-moved furniture. Anywhere a moth can hide undisturbed, with access to a food source will be a potential hotspot.

Considering this, you must also check your attic or basement. If you’ve got clothes stored here, these dark, low-traffic areas will be ideal for moths.

Take action

To get rid of moths you’ll need to break their life cycle, and that means getting rid of any unhatched eggs, as well as larvae. Start by taking all the clothes out of your wardrobe, then vacuum the bottom of the wardrobe thoroughly, using the crevice tool on your vacuum cleaner to get right into the corners and along the edges.

Next, wash all your clothes at the highest recommended temperature and take any dry-clean-only items to the dry cleaner. You can also wrap things made from non-washable fabrics in plastic bags and then pop them in the freezer for 48 hours, as sub-zero temperatures kill moth larvae.

Vacuum carpets throughout the house thoroughly, paying particular attention to areas of carpet underneath furniture, then follow up by treating any areas where you’ve seen adult moths using a moth killer spray.

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Gone for good

When it comes to moths, prevention is better than cure. Here are five things you can do to keep these winged pests away:

1. Wash garments thoroughly before you put them away. Clothes moths are attracted to perspiration and food stains.
2. Keep your wardrobe well ventilated. Air your wardrobe regularly to prevent warm, damp or musty conditions building up, which clothes moths love.
3. Store away clothes carefully. Store freshly laundered wool clothes you won’t be wearing until next winter in a vacuum storage bag. A cardboard box won’t cut it, as moth larvae will chew through it.
4. Use a natural moth repellent. Cedar wood rings in your wardrobe or drawers can help deter moths.
5. Spritz carpets with lavender. Make a natural repellent by adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to water in a spray bottle. Shake well then spray your carpet and clothes lightly.