Clothes moths, or textile moths, are pests that can cause major damage in the home. When they invade closets, they are capable of degrading a large number of garments and linens.
Textile moths are lepidopterans with a high reproductive capacity. If the problem isn’t dealt with quickly, there’s a real risk of an invasion.
But don’t panic: with a few tricks up your sleeve, you can get rid of them effectively.
How do you know if you’ve got textile moths in your home?
The main problem with clothes moths is that they’re able to camouflage themselves in your closet without you even noticing they’re there. Their moth-like appearance means they are often mistaken for clothes moths.
However, once you know how to recognize the signs of their presence, you quickly realize that they’re not just harmless moths. Here are a few things that can betray a clothes moth invasion:
- Your clothes are full of holes.
- Small moths emerge from your closets.
- Small webs appear in the corners of wardrobes and on clothes.
It’s important to know that clothes moths are insects that thrive particularly well in damp, dark places. Regular airing of not only the house, but also closets and storage spaces is therefore imperative to prevent their proliferation.
How can I get rid of textile moths at home?
If you find that moths have invaded your clothes, you need to take action. You’ll also need to be patient, as getting rid of textile moths at home for good is not always an easy task. This is especially true if the moths have already started to build their nests and colonize your closets. In this case, you’ll need to eliminate not only the moths, but also their eggs and larvae. Here’s the disinfestation process you need to follow to eliminate these pests from your home:
1 – For clothing:
- Put all affected garments through the washing machine (at 60° if possible).
- Tumble-dry compatible garments.
- Iron clothes before putting them back in the wardrobe (high-temperature steam is radical on these bugs).
2 – For storage areas :
- Thoroughly wash all containers in wardrobes, such as boxes, bags and suitcases.
- Wash and disinfect your cupboards, taking care to treat every nook and cranny, including the outside.
Caution: eggs can sometimes be lodged in the small interstices and joints of your cupboards. It’s therefore important to clean them thoroughly, using a small scraper if possible.
If you have the means, you can use a steam cleaner to disinfect furniture thoroughly and effectively eliminate the presence of eggs, larvae and adult moths.
What about anti-moth insecticides?
It’s perfectly possible to use an anti-moth insecticide to solve a textile moth problem in your home. These are designed to eliminate eggs, larvae and adult moths. They are readily available on the market, but it’s important to note that these products are toxic and must not be inhaled.
It is therefore imperative to follow the instructions for use of each product to the letter, and to leave the house during the hours following application of the product. When you return home, always remember to air the rooms concerned to purify the ambient air.
How to keep textile moths out of your closets?
A number of natural repellents are effective in keeping moths out of your home. Here are a few things you can do to prevent moths from invading your home.
- Place lavender sachets in your cupboards. This classic is effective in keeping out moths, which don’t like the scent of this plant at all. This trick also works with lemon peel or bay leaf.
- Place an orange studded with cloves on your shelves. This natural deodorizer perfumes cupboards while keeping moths at bay. As soon as the fragrance wears off, however, replace the orange.
- Place cotton balls soaked in essential oils in your cupboards. Eucalyptus, mint, lemon and lavender oils are the most effective moth repellents.
- Place cedarwood balls in your cupboards. This pleasantly scented wood is a natural moth repellent. It’s easy to find in the form of small balls to place directly on your clothes.
How can I prevent moths from coming back?
To prevent the reappearance of clothes moths, it’s important to adopt a few good habits regarding your laundry and the upkeep of your storage spaces.
- Tip no. 1: always iron your clothes before storing them in your closet.
- Tip n°2: air your closets and storage spaces thoroughly, at least once a day for about 10 minutes.
- Tip n°3: use a vacuum cleaner to clean your closets on a regular basis. A steam cleaner is the next best thing to ensure that no moths invade.
- Tip n°4: sort old clothes so they don’t stagnate in the closet, and place clothes from different seasons in airtight boxes.
- Tip n°5: get into the habit of brushing woollens and furs on a regular basis.
In conclusion:
Any household can be exposed to a clothing moth invasion. All it takes is one moth. These insects are capable of laying thousands of eggs, and it only takes a few weeks to find yourself invaded. At the slightest sign, don’t hesitate to draw up a plan of attack and start cleaning up.
