Are Common Clothes Moths Destroying Your Clothes and Carpets?
In many UK households, the common clothes moth (Tineola Bisselliella) has been a source of annoyance and economic loss. This pest, which tends to damage garments, fabrics, and carpets by feeding on the natural fibres found in these materials, can be notoriously difficult to control once an infestation is underway.
Ensuring the longevity and quality of your carpets and valuable wardrobe items requires a robust understanding of moth behaviour, effective prevention strategies, and efficient eradication techniques. We give some helpful tips on protecting your wardrobes and how to remove the common clothes moth from your home.
Understanding Clothes Moths
Clothes moths thrive in dark, undisturbed areas where they can find natural fibres such as wool, silk, feathers, and fur— all of which provide the keratin protein their larvae consume. Freestanding wardrobes tend to be more problematic than fitted wardrobes, or built-ins, due to the gaps around them, which are dark and often go un-vacuumed for long periods of time.
These moths are particularly attracted to soiled fabric, which supplies them with essential moisture and nutrients. They can also commonly be found in carpet areas near windows (especially patio doors), where condensation accumulates. Understanding this preference can aid significantly in both detecting and preventing infestations.
Prevention: Key Strategies
1. Maintain Cleanliness
Regular cleaning is an effective method to prevent clothes moth infestations. Moths are less likely to inhabit clean spaces because they lack the food deposits that larvae require. Vacuuming carpets, furniture, and curtains regularly, with a strong vacuum cleaner (like a Henry – other brands are available) and cleaning inside wardrobes, cupboards and drawers, will remove moth eggs and larvae before they can grow into a full-blown infestation.
2. Use Garment Covers
Protecting clothes with garment covers, particularly those made from natural fibres, can shield them from moth damage. These covers not only prevent moths from laying eggs on the clothes, but also minimise dust accumulation, which can attract moths
3. Proper Storage
Store seasonal clothing in tightly sealed containers, or vacuum bags, to keep moths away. Before storage, ensure all items are clean and dry. Adding silica packets inside these containers can help maintain dryness, further deterring moth activity.
4. Natural Repellents
Natural repellents such as cedar blocks, lavender sachets, or cloves can be placed within wardrobes and drawers to deter moths. These products emit scents that are naturally repulsive to moths. However, they need to be replaced or refreshed periodically to maintain their effectiveness.
5. Monitor with Moth Traps
Using pheromone traps specifically designed for clothes moths can help monitor the presence of these pests in your home. These traps attract and capture male moths, which helps reduce the breeding population. Regularly check and replace these traps to continually assess and control moth levels.
How To Remove The Common Clothes Moth – The Eradication Methods
Despite all efforts at prevention, you might find yourself facing an active moth infestation. Here are some helpful steps to effectively eradicate moths from your home:
1. Deep Cleaning
Once moths have been identified, remove all items from the affected areas and thoroughly clean the space. Vacuum all surfaces, including inside wardrobes and drawers, paying close attention to corners and hidden spots where moths like to hide. If possible try to tackle your whole house in one day, as this helps reduce the odds of the moths returning from another room overnight. Vacuum, vacuum and vacuum again!
If you spot the odd moth hanging on your walls (usually early morning and nighttime – especially after the lights go off), these can be vacuumed with a small handheld cleaner. Repeat as needed.
2. Wash or Dry Clean Infested Items
Launder infested garments using warm water (where appropriate), or have them dry cleaned. High temperatures can kill moth eggs and larvae, stopping the infestation from spreading. Pay attention to your garments cleaning instructions and note that cooler washes are unlikely to kill the moth eggs and you may need to resort to freezing instead: see below.
3. Freeze Non-Washable Items
For items that cannot be washed or dry cleaned (e.g., delicate silks and wools), you can place them in a sealed bag and freeze for at least 72 hours. Freezing will kill any eggs and larvae present.
4. Use Insecticides
Insecticidal sprays can be used to treat infested areas. Choose products specifically labeled for use against clothes moths. Always follow the manufacturer’s instructions to ensure safety and effectiveness.
5. Repeat Treatment
Moth eggs can be resilient, and new larvae might emerge after initial treatment. It is important to repeat the cleaning and eradication process several weeks after the first treatment to manage any new developments in the lifecycle of the moths.
Ongoing Monitoring and Maintenance
Continuous monitoring with moth traps will maintain control over moth populations and alert you to new infestations before they cause significant damage. Implement regular deep cleaning of your wardrobes and fabric storage areas at least twice a year.
Vigilance Is The Key
Protecting your wardrobe from the common clothes moth involves both diligent prevention and prompt eradication when necessary. By understanding moth behaviour, maintaining cleanliness, using protective covers, and appropriately responding to infestations, you can preserve the quality and longevity of your garments and other fabric items. Vigilance is key to ensuring these pests do not find a home in your wardrobe!
Another problem that old wardrobes can suffer from is damp. But, don’t worry, we have some more handy tips to resolve those issues too, which can be found here: How to Stop Damp in Your Wardrobe.