Clothes Moths

Unlike other moths, clothes moths thrive in dark, humid environments such as wardrobes & closets. It is the larvae of these moths that causes the damage, feeding on the keratin of natural products of animal origin such as wool, fur etc.

Life cycle of clothes moths:

The adult female lays her eggs on material such as carpet or clothing. The eggs are attached with a sticky substance, making them difficult to remove. Larvae hatch from the eggs in approximately, which then feed on surrounding materials. How long they remain in the larval stage depends on environmental conditions. Eventually, the larvae form a cocoon, emerging as an adult moth several weeks later.

Signs of clothes moths:

• Finding small moths around the home. Both moths are around

• Holes in clothing, bedding & other materials.

How to get rid of clothes moths:

• Moth traps. You can purchase pheromone traps which have a pheromone insert & a  sticky surface. The pheromone insert attracts the male moths which then become stuck on the trap.

• If you find clothes moths on an item, if possible, place outside in the sun to kill.

• Other methods used to kill moths include washing in very hot water, or if you can not do this, placing the item in a bag & putting it in the freezer for a day.

• If the problem is extensive, or you have no success getting rid of clothes moths yourself, seek the assistance of a pest control expert.

• There are various insecticides available to control clothes moths. Always follow the instructions carefully.

Preventing clothes moths:

• Regular cleaning, especially vacuuming. Pay attention to areas such as skirting boards, under furniture etc. Empty out vacuum cleaners regularly.

• Regularly wash clothing & bedding. Rotate often.

• Check cupboards, clothing, bedding regularly for signs of moths & moth larvae.

• Where possible, dry clean or wash items that are going to go into storage for a period of time.

• Clothing & other items that are not going to be used for a while should be dry cleaned first. Store any items not used regularly in air tight containers.

• If you have purchased second hand items, carefully inspect for signs of infestation. It is a good idea to place items outside, in a sunny location for several days before being brought into the house.

• Keep humidity as low as possible in storage areas.

• Seal up any cracks and crevices in the home.

• Moth balls should be avoided due to the chemicals used in them which are not only poisonous to moths but pets & humans too.

• Cotton wool balls with a few drops of lavender essential oil kept in cupboards can help deter clothes moths.

Also see:

Carpet beetles, pantry moths