Yes, the refined, expensive tastes of the clothing moth means they thrive on natural fibres including:. Basically, anything made from animal fibres and hair is favoured by clothing moths. Synthetic and cotton fabrics typically are ignored by the little pests, unless the materials include a blend of animal fibres. And the appetite of these moths goes beyond just clothing.
Anything made from natural textiles, such as carpets, rugs, curtains, and furniture upholstery is susceptible to damage from clothing moths. The first sign you have a problem are those telltale holes in your clothing and also seeing adult moths flying around in your closets and home. They also have a brown colour, which makes them difficult to see in a dark space.
The overall life cycle of clothing moths lasts between months. There are thousands of moth species, but only two types that are categorized as clothing moths. The most common type is known as Tineola bisselliella. Clothing moths can enter your home on a piece of clothing you were given. Buying something from a second-hand clothing store can also transport the larvae into your home.
Closet or wardrobe corners, the backs of closets, and up high on closet shelves are all common nesting spots for the insects.
Disorganized closets with clothing clutter provide more opportunities for them to find a textile that suits their diet. Warmer spring temperatures can also help clothes moths thrive, especially if it gets unseasonably warm quickly.
Use these seven tips:. Damage may consist of irregular holes. Moth and beetle larvae shun bright light, so they rarely attack frequently worn clothing or heavily trafficked carpets. They thrive in clothing that is packed away and sections of carpet that's hidden under furniture, especially if there are food spills or other attractive scents.
The best strategy? Be sure to keep things clean. Weekly use of the vacuum and general good housekeeping go a long way toward keeping pests at bay. If you clean often, you may remove them without even knowing it. Vacuuming also removes moth eggs and larvae from carpets before they have the opportunity to hatch. Before you pack up winter clothing for storage , wash or dry-clean garments that have been worn. This rids them of moth and beetle eggs and also eliminates perspiration remnants and food spills, which attract and nourish pests.
Moths and beetles don't eat items made of synthetic or cotton fabrics, but you should clean those, too , if you store them with woolens. If you have winter coats you haven't worn, you probably won't want to pay for dry cleaning just to guard against eggs that might have been deposited on them. Yet if you store them as is, you risk an infestation. In this case, try an old-fashioned but effective regimen: Take the items outside on a sunny day and brush them vigorously, especially under collars and along seams.
This should remove eggs and larvae, which are so small, you probably won't be able to see them. In case you miss a few of the pests or their eggs, pack this clothing separately from laundered or dry-cleaned items. Moths and beetles can get through extremely tight spaces. When storing woolens, resealable plastic bags or plastic boxes are best for keeping pests out. To protect the items from condensation, wrap them in lengths of clean cotton, and store.
Take care in using plastic containers for long-term storage-years rather than months—as they do not allow the items to breathe, and some plastics may degrade fabric over time. If storing valuable items, consult with a professional textile conservator for recommendations. The dark-colored heartwood of red cedar contains natural oils that help kill clothes-moth larvae, but this alone won't protect clothing. It's not effective against carpet beetles, and, with moths, it kills only young larvae, not older ones or eggs.
The effect also fades as the scent does. You can replenish the scent of boards, closets, and chests by sanding the wood lightly or dabbing on cedar oil, but there is no way to know if you've added enough.
If you have a cedar chest, it's best to think of it as a reasonably airtight storage container-and only keep clean fabric inside it. Again, wrap items in clean cotton before storing them.
Mothball and moth crystals can thwart infestations but come with many drawbacks, so you're probably better off without them. Both products contain pesticides that can be harmful to people, unborn babies, and pets. Since mothballs and moth crystals work by releasing fumigant gas, they must be used in tight-fitting containers, rather than in closets or drawers, to be effective. If you do use these products, keep containers out of your living area-in a garage, perhaps.
And air out clothing thoroughly outside before wearing it or hanging it in your closet again dry cleaning won't eliminate the mothball odor. Using lavender to repel clothes moths is another old homemaker's trick. They will also leave a pleasant scent behind. Lavender will not, however, kill moth eggs or larvae, so be sure the space is free of them first.
What if you already have clothes or carpet pests? Here are some tips for identifying the bugs you are dealing with, getting rid of them , and then salvaging your woolen items. You won't likely see clothes moths, but if you find holes, you know you have a problem.
With moth larvae, you may find silky webbing or cigar-like cocoons. Beetle larvae leave dried skins-like tiny rice grains. To get rid of an infestation, start by removing and treating all infested material. You might throw away the most damaged clothing. Dry-clean or launder items you keep; freezing also eradicates pests: Put items in sealed plastic bags, squeeze out air and freeze for a few days. Take the bags out, let them return to room temperature, and then repeat.
In the case of condensation, let clothes air out before storing again. For a severe infestation, call a professional to help you treat your carpets. If it's a minor problem, buy a spray made for these pests and spot test to make sure it doesn't affect the carpet color. Apply, following label instructions, anywhere you find traces of larvae or don't often clean-such as behind bookcases and along baseboards.
Treat both sides of the carpet if not fastened down and the rug pad. Make sure that the entire house is cleaned thoroughly before replacing treated items. If furniture is infested, you might need to call an exterminator. For a DIY route, try pheromone-laced cardboard traps to check if moths remain. This will kill moths in their egg, larvae, and pupae stages. Shake out the item to draw out any trapped moth casings or cocoons, then sweep these up and dispose of them outside.
If no unwanted staining occurs, cover the rest of the fabric with the insecticide to kill moths on contact. To restore salvageable moth-eaten fabrics, repair holes with a sewing machine and thread, then return the item to the closet. If the holes in the fabric are too large or numerous to be repaired, discard the item in a trash bag sealed with twist ties.
Immediately dispose of the trash bag outside. Disclosure: BobVila. You agree that BobVila. All rights reserved. Expert advice from Bob Vila, the most trusted name in home improvement, home remodeling, home repair, and DIY.
Pest problems? Dry cleaning is the best method for killing moth larvae and eggs and prevents you from ruining sensitive items like wool sweaters. The only exception to this is for fabrics prone to shrinkage, like wool. If you have items that are not safe for the washer and dryer, place the clothes in a plastic bag. Tightly seal the bag and put them in the freezer for 24 hours to kill the eggs.
Once you remove all materials from your closet, deep clean it. Begin vacuuming the entire wardrobe, making sure you reach every corner and crevice. Discard the vacuum bag outside right away and keep the waste outside until trash day. If there is carpet in the closet, use a carpet steamer to do an even deeper cleaning of the area. Once the floor is taken care of, wipe down walls, baseboards, rods, hangers, and shelves every few months with a clean cloth and use a homemade moth repellent for closets.
Moth repellent sprays are simple to make and only require a few ingredients. We recommend using lavender essential oils; however, any floral scented oil works, as well as a eucalyptus spider repellent if you have one handy.
Add the ingredients to a sprayer bottle, shake to combine, and spray the deterrent along walls, baseboards, corners, and small crevices. To keep moths out of closet areas, keep as little clothing exposed as possible.
This may mean storing winter clothes during the summer months. Place any non-essential clothes in plastic containers, storage bags, or other similar airtight receptacles. These storage areas make it harder for the insects to penetrate and create further moth damage.
A smart way to prevent future infestations is to learn about what keeps moths out of the closet. Cedar wood makes an excellent moth repellent. Use cedar hangers instead of plastic, hang sachets with cedar chips, or place a few dabs of cedar oil around the perimeter.
This wood puts one more barrier between you and future clothing moths. Mix the dried cinnamon and cedar shavings in a bowl. Lay all three pocket-handkerchiefs flat on a flat surface.
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