How to get rid of clothes moths quickly

You’re getting for the party. You know exactly what clothes to wear. You open your wardrobe. And out pops…a moth. Seems someone else took a fancy to that paisley shirt!

A moth gathering in your wardrobe can do a lot of distressing damage to your favourite threads. So how can you prevent them from nibbling away at your party garments?

Understanding moths

Moths come in many varieties and can pose a number of risks to crops, food, and fabrics. They are also an invaluable part of the food chain, being a meal for many birds, insects, and mammals.

Webbing clothes moths are a particular menace to fabrics. Small buff-coloured insects, they can grow up to 5 cm in length. They tend to favour dark spaces, such as attics, closets, basements, and wardrobes. They often hide in the folds of fabrics and clothes and may have already caused a lot of damage before you’re even aware of their presence.

Interesting, they seem to have a taste for animal-based fabrics, usually avoiding synthetics. Clothes, pillows, blankets and even carpets can fall prey to their appetites.

• What are the common signs of moth infestation?
• What damage do moths cause?
• What are common moth species in Ireland?

How to deal with moths

Monitor windows

Moths usually enter the home via open windows. Although you will want to open windows to let in fresh air, especially during warm days, be sure to monitor them to see if pests are using them as a handy entry point. You might consider installing pest screens to limit the risks.

Protect clothes

Tidy your wardrobe, so that it doesn’t get overcrowded with clothes. This will enable you to spot problems more easily. Put out-of-season clothes into appropriate storage boxes in the basement or attic. (Be sure to check for moths before putting the clothes into the boxes!)

Also, regularly shake and wash your clothes. This reduces the risk of moths settling into your clothes and doing damage over a long period of time. Dirty or smelly clothes are also more likely to attract moths. Even if you don’t wash the clothes, give them a good refreshing shake every now and then.

Take care when introducing new clothes to the wardrobe, especially if they are second-hand clothes. Check the clothes for evidence of moth damage. Also, washing the clothes will help remove any larvae or eggs that may be hidden there.

Deterring moths

Mothballs are the traditional deterrent for moths. However, these can give off an unpleasant odour. Consider using natural oils instead, such as rosemary, clove, lavender, or citronella. As well as repelling the moths, they oils will mask some of the smells that moths might be attracted to.

• Moth treatment for your business

Good housekeeping

Good housekeeping is one of the most under-rated weapons in the battle against pests. Most pests thrive in untidy, dirty, or smelly environments. Regularly cleaning and tidy your rooms will reduce the hiding places for moths, and also eliminate any debris that might attract them. It will also make it easier for you to spot their presence. And it will disturb their nests.

Regularly hoover carpets, because moths are attracted to the fabrics in some carpets. And carefully clean any wardrobes, drawers, suitcases, or other clothes storage areas.

Traps

Pheromone traps will capture moths by attracting moths to a sticky surface.  This system is an environmentally friendly, continual control strategy to disrupt mating through the controlled release of the sex pheromone from various strategic points.  These synthetically produced pheromones are used to confuse make moths and limit their ability to locate females formatting. By reducing the likelihood of successful mating, this substantially decreases the level of stored product moth numbers.

Contact the experts

If you are unsure how to deal with your moth problem, contact your local pest control experts. They’ll be able to advise you and help you prevent re-infestations.

Rentokil experts can recognise the type of moth causing the problem. we’ll then use the most effective and environmentally friendly method to get rid of them, such as a spray, fumigation or heat treatment. Our chemical free ‘heat pod’ treatment’ is particularly useful for getting rid of moths, eggs and larvae in delicate items that can’t be laundered.