How to Get Rid of Pesky Clothes Moths
There are more than 11,000 species of moths found throughout the United States. Clothes moths are especially harmful, as they feed on the clothing and fabrics in your home. But, clothes moths are not the moths you usually spot flying around during the day. These species prefer dark, enclosed spaces like closets, wardrobes, and chests. Let's discuss the species and discover how to get rid of clothes moths and prevent an infestation.
What are clothes moths?
The two main types of clothes moths are the case-making clothes moth and the webbing clothes moth. Clothes moths have an expensive taste. Adult clothes moths search for garments and fabrics made of animal-based fibers, such as wool, cashmere, silk, felt, leather, fur, and feathers to lay their eggs. The threads in these protein-rich materials feed their larvae soon after hatching. Clothes moths damage expensive and rare garments. Therefore, you should eradicate clothes moths and their larvae when found.
How to deal with clothes moth
You can get rid of clothes moths using the following tips:
Wash or dry clean the garment
Once you find a clothes moth on a garment, finding a safe and hygienic way to remove it is the most critical next step. If the fabric is washable, put it through a wash cycle. Since clothes moths are attracted to animal-based fibers, most of these items need dry-cleaning. Find a dry cleaner with clothes moth experience so they can do their best to salvage the garment.
Freeze the item for a week
Some fabrics cannot go through the wash and are vulnerable to damage in the dry-cleaning process. If you have a freezer with some space, try freezing the clothes moth and its larvae. The key to this process is putting the garment in a plastic zipper storage bag and sealing it well. You do not want condensation or frost to have access to the fabric and potentially damage the clothing.
Bake the moths off
Temperatures above 120 degrees Fahrenheit kill clothes moths and their larvae. For items that can withstand heat, bake the clothes moths off in the oven for 30 minutes. It would help if you did not use anything with synthetic fibers, plastic buttons, or heat sensitivity for this method.
Turn up the heat on these moths
Another way to get rid of clothes moths through heat is running a dryer cycle on high heat for 30 minutes. Again, this method only works if the items are not sensitive to heat and won't burn or melt during the heating process.
Clothes moth prevention
The best way to deal with a clothes moth situation is to prevent it in the first place. Below are some easy to follow steps in storing and cleaning to prevent clothes moths:
You should regularly clean, vacuum, and dust areas of the home that are susceptible to moths. Sofas and baseboards may attract clothes moths where wool lint gathers. Empty the vacuum after cleaning to dispose of larvae or eggs in the bag.
Periodically brush stored garments outdoors in the sun around collars, cuffs, and other hidden areas or have them dry-cleaned.
Discard unimportant items that experienced an infestation.
Purchase synthetic blends or non-animal-based clothing and fabrics.
Use a pest control company to remove animal nests and rid the home of pests.
Clean and inspect stored garments regularly. Unsoiled fabrics do not usually attract cloth moths.
Store clothing correctly. Use air-tight garment bags that have no holes or tears. Any open seams should be taped and sealed so clothes moths cannot enter.
Contact a professional pest control company if the furniture, mattresses, or upholstered household items become infested or the infestation is widespread.
Get professional pest control services
Enlist the expert services of a pest control professional to get rid of moth nests around your home. Do all you can to prevent these clothes moths from flourishing on your fashion and furnishings.
San Tan Pest And Weed Control offer reliable pest control for residential and commercial customers in Mesa, Tempe, Ahwatukee, Phoenix, Lower Santan Village, Queen Creek, Scottsdale, Paradise Valley, Gilbert, and Chandler. Our pest management services control scorpions, ants, termites, bees, wasps, fleas, rodents, cockroaches, weeds, and more. We provide attic and crawl space cleaning and home sealing services to keep pests out. Call us at (480)405-0690.
