Moths
- Details
- Written by: admin
- Category: Moths
- Hits: 10
Get rid of clothes moths - here's how!
Clothes moths can be a problem all year round, but spring often sees a surge of moth activity. That’s because the warm weather encourages them to hatch out of their winter cocoons. From there, they search for a dark, preferably humid, undisturbed space to lay their eggs. As their larvae love to feast on natural fibres, such as wool, silk and cashmere, our wardrobes are a prime attraction.
Should a moth find its way into your wardrobe unnoticed, you’ll be dealing with holes in your garments before you know it – and it's likely your carpet will take take some of the damage, too.
To avoid this less-than-desirable outcome of a moth infestation, you'll want to deal with clothes moths as promptly as possible when you spot one – or spot tell-tale signs of moth damage.
Here's what you need to know about getting rid of moths, as well as preventative measures moving forward.
Moths: know your enemy
Even if you haven’t discovered holes in your clothes (yet...), the presence of certain types of moth in your home is a warning to take action. Look out for the brown house moth (8mm long with bronze, black-flecked wings) and the common clothes moth (6-7mm long with paler, beige wings). If they lay their eggs in your home, the larvae that hatch from them will feast on your fibres.
These grubs have a particular taste for animal fibres, such as wool, silk, cashmere and angora, but they will also target cotton fabrics if there's nothing else available. They don't differentiate between clothes or soft furnishings so even if you discover moth damage in your wardrobe, don't assume your carpets are safe.
Hunt them down
Contrary to popular belief, moths aren't just drawn to light. In fact, they prefer dark, out-of-sight places to lay their eggs, such as the back of your wardrobe or in seldom-opened drawers. Check in these spots for signs of creamy white larvae with a brown head. They're hard to miss as one female moth can deposit anywhere from 50 to 1,000 eggs at a time! They’re also known to leave behind a musty smell when they're present in greater numbers.
At the same time, check areas of carpet underneath rugs and underneath or behind seldom-moved furniture. Anywhere a moth can hide undisturbed, with access to a food source will be a potential hotspot for moth activity.
Considering this, you must also check your attic or basement. If you’ve got clothes stored here, these dark, low-traffic areas will be ideal for moths.
Take action
To get rid of moths you'll need to break their life cycle, and that means getting rid of any unhatched eggs, as well as larvae. Start by taking all the clothes out of your wardrobe, then vacuum the bottom of the wardrobe thoroughly, using the crevice tool on your vacuum cleaner to get right into the corners and along the edges.
Next, wash all your clothes at the highest recommended temperature and take any dry-clean-only items to the dry cleaner. You can also wrap things made from non-washable fabrics in plastic bags and then pop them in the freezer for 48 hours, as sub-zero temperatures kill moth larvae.
Vacuum carpets throughout the house thoroughly, paying particular attention to areas of carpet underneath furniture, then follow up by treating any areas where you've seen adult moths using a moth killer spray.
Gone for good
When it comes to moths, prevention is better than cure. Here are five things you can do to keep these winged pests away:
- Wash garments thoroughly before you put them away. Clothes moths are attracted to perspiration and food stains.
- Keep your wardrobe well ventilated. Air your wardrobe regularly to prevent warm, damp or musty conditions building up, which clothes moths love.
- Store away clothes carefully. Store freshly laundered wool clothes you won't be wearing until next winter in a vacuum storage bag. A cardboard box won't cut it, as moth larvae will chew through it.
- Use a natural moth repellent. Cedar wood rings in your wardrobe or drawers can help deter moths.
- Spritz carpets with lavender. Make a natural repellent by adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to water in a spray bottle. Shake well then spray your carpet and clothes lightly.
- Details
- Written by: admin
- Category: Moths
- Hits: 34
How to get rid of moths with vinegar – 4 simple solutions loved by experts
Meddlesome moths can be one of the most irritating things about the arrival of summer, and while they may not be the most damaging home pests, their constant flapping can be frustrating, and no-one likes a moth-eaten sweater.
Luckily, there are plenty of natural ways to get rid of moths, the most popular of which being vinegar, which can help with clearing them from your closet and keeping them away from your plants and pantry.
Here, pest control experts explain how to get rid of moths with vinegar, with four quick tricks to keep them at bay.
How to get rid of moths with vinegar
Vinegar is ideal for deterring moths. They have a super-sensitive sense of smell, designed to help them find food. The acrid smell of vinegar makes moths uncomfortable and encourages them to move on, explains Nate Nead, principal pest control expert at Bentonville Pest.
‘But before you go pouring vinegar all over your house, here's something to keep in mind,’ he continues. ‘How well it works can depend on a few things. Different types of moths may be more or less affected by the smell than others. Also, the strength and concentration of the vinegar, as well as how much air is moving around (ventilation), can impact whether it actually works as a homemade moth repellent. Don't forget that there are other things you can do too, such as keeping your stuff clean and stored well to prevent those pesky critters from making themselves at home,’ he adds.
With that in mind, here are four ways you can use vinegar to help get rid of moths around your home and yard.
6% Distilled White Cleaning Vinegar -This specially formulated white vinegar with cleaning strength at 6% acidity is excellent for sending moths on their way, and cleaning away larvae before they have the chance to hatch.View Deal
1. Use vinegar to wipe away larvae
Useful when getting rid of pantry moths or refreshing your closet and yard furniture, cleaning with vinegar is a great way to remove visible larvae before they hatch, recommends Stewart Muir, an associate-certified entomologist at JP McHale Pest Management.
‘White vinegar is a natural cleansing agent that changes the pH levels of surfaces that it touches, and moth eggs and larvae exposed to white vinegar cannot survive in the acidic environment,’ he explains. ‘You could, therefore, use a sponge or rag to apply vinegar to a surface or apply with a spray bottle.
'Make sure to take care when using white vinegar in the home, as it can damage certain surfaces, such as metals, stone countertops, hardwood floors, and certain clothing. Always spot-check the cleaning solution first before committing to using the solution on a large visible area.'
2. Create a vinegar trap
Vinegar traps are a common solution to a range of pest problems, such as getting rid of gnats. It is also the simplest and easiest solution, trapping moths long after you have set it and walked away.
To create a vinegar trap for moths, place a small bowl or jar near the affected area and fill it with a mixture of apple cider vinegar, available at Walmart, and a few drops of dish soap.
‘The scent of vinegar will attract moths, and the soap will break the surface tension, causing them to sink and drown in the liquid,’ explains Zahid Adnan, gardener and founder of The Plant Bible. ‘It is best to empty and refill the traps regularly to maintain their effectiveness,’ they add.
3. Deter moths with vinegar balls
To prevent moths from coming in in the first place, then you can make small vinegar-soaked balls to leave around your home and yard to chase the moths off without actually hurting them. To do this, Nate Nead, pest control expert suggests soaking cotton balls, like these organic cotton balls from Amazon, or fabric sachets in vinegar and strategically placing them in areas where you want to deter moths.
This is a good preventative measure, but may not be the best line of action if you have a large infestation, Nate warns. So you may need to use it in tandem with another option if they have already set up shop.
4. Consider a vinegar soak for fabrics
Moths love cloth, or so the saying goes, so if you find moths in your closet, then you may have to soak your clothes in vinegar to make sure they are free of larvae. You can either use white vinegar in laundry and wash your clothes as normal, or for bad infestations, soak the garments directly in vinegar for a few hours.
‘Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a basin or sink and soak affected clothing, curtains, or fabric items in the solution for one to two hours,’ says Zahid Adnan, gardener. ‘Afterward, wash the items as usual with detergent and water, and dry them thoroughly.’
Always make sure to clean the clothes closet out too before returning your clothes to avoid undoing all your work to combat the infestation.
FAQs
What smells do moths hate the most?
There are plenty of smells that moths cannot stand, such as lavender, bay leaves, cloves, rosemary, and thyme. These herbs are the perfect, inoffensive things to combine and leave around our homes to deter moths from setting up a home.
Place dried or crushed versions of these herbs into a small cloth bag and leave in areas prone to moths.
Why am I getting lots of moths in my house?
If you have noticed a lot of moths in your home, it may be that there is a mess attracting them in and offering them adequate food to set up a breeding ground. A common source is food, whether it has been stored incorrectly, or has been spilled and not cleaned up. You may have also carried moth larvae in on your clothing or when moving outdoor furniture inside where they have hatched and continued to breed.
When using natural remedies and homemade bug sprays to get rid of pests, it is important to remember that it will likely take longer to see results than if you were to use a chemical product for targeting moths. The method still works, however, if you are looking for a non-toxic solution, but you may need some patience and frequent reapplications to completely eradicate your pest problem.
- Details
- Written by: admin
- Category: Moths
- Hits: 112
16 ways to get rid of, and prevent, moths in the home
• Where do moths come from and how to tell if you have a moth infestation?
• Find out how to get rid of a moth infestation and how to protect your clothes from moths
Do you have a moth infestation? Are you wondering how to get rid of moths in your wardrobe, carpets or kitchen? We've done our research and rounded up the best advice and natural methods to prevent moths from entering your home and solve the problem if they already have.
Clothes moths have seen a rapid rise in numbers, with English Heritage saying they have doubled in the past five years. The charity has even discovered a new species feeding on the ancient fabrics under their care. So now more than ever, fabrics and furnishings are under threat from these pests.
10 Store & Protect Zip Seal Clothes Storage Bags
Where do moths come from?
Most flying insects tend to be drawn towards light, but clothes moths actually prefer to hide away in dark, undisturbed areas like wardrobes, cupboards and boxes. They also stay near their food sources (see below for detail).
Moths have a very strong sense of smell and it is how they communicate, find mates and detect food.
Moths enter your home through open windows or doors. They can also be carried in on clothes and soft furnishings. Always be sure to shake out any clothes that are not packaged – like those from a charity shop or clothes swap or borrowed from a friend – before they enter your house.
Signs you have a moth infestation
Adult moths do not have mouths so holes in clothes are actually made from moth larvae. Sign of damage on your clothes will alert you to where the eggs have been laid. You should look out for webbing and cocoons in the corners of your wardrobe and cupboards.
- Holes in clothes
- Webbing in cupboard corners
- Cocoons in cupboard corners
- Musty smell on clothes
- Larvae on clothes
How to prevent moths infesting your clothes
1. Wash before you put away – Moths are mostly drawn to the human sweat, hair and body oil that are left on clothing, particularly those made out of natural fibres (wool, feathers, fur, silk). Therefore, it's important to wash clothes before you store them – especially when putting them away for a long period of time.
2. Store clothes in an airtight bag or plastic container – Not cardboard boxes as moths can chew through these.
4. Hang clothing made from natural fibres on cedar hangers – Cedar will repel the moths. Put extra cedar items in the pockets of the garments if they are long.
How to get rid of a moth infestation in your wardrobe
5. Wash your clothes on a slightly higher temperature – Don't make a habit of this though, as it is less eco-friendly. Always check the laundry instructions on the label.
6. Or go cold – Similarly, moths eggs and larvae can't survive freezing temperatures either. If one item of clothing is particularly affected, put it in an airtight bag and then in the freezer for 24 hours. Check the clothes label first.
7. Clean all cupboards and wardrobes with a vinegar and water solution – Vinegar is a natural cleansing agent and the acid is not tolerable for moths. Be careful here when cleaning antiques.
8. Vacuum regularly – This will remove any eggs or debris that might be on/in the carpet.
9. Make your own natural repellant – Place dried rosemary, thyme, cloves, lavender or bay leaves into a small cloth bag and hang them in your wardrobe and place them in your drawers. The oil form of these herbs, sprayed on contaminated areas and clothes, can also repel moths.
10. Buy a natural moth spray – Such as these from Amazon.
11. Research a pest control expert in your area.
How to get rid of a moth infestation in the kitchen
12. Dispose of all contaminated foods and thoroughly clean the cupboard – If you notice a musty smell, webbing in the corner or a sticky secretion in your food cupboards - and/or have seen the moths or caterpillars themselves - then you need to take action on that area.
13. Be particularly careful of grains, nuts and rice – Moths both feed on, and lay their eggs, in these foods. Dispose of any open containers of these products.
14. Keep your kitchen well ventilated.
15. Buy a natural kitchen repellant
16. Herbs – Several fragrant herbs repel moths, including rosemary, thyme, cloves, lavender and bay leaves. Place the herbs in a small bag in cupboards or spray the essential oil into high-risk areas.
What NOT to do when you have moths
Attempt to treat a moth infestation with normal pesticides or products which you have not checked for toxic qualities. These can be damaging if they are transferred onto your skin through your clothes or bedding. They are also harmful to most household pets.
Are moths dangerous for humans?
On the whole, moths are not dangerous but it is possible for contact with an adult moth to cause a skin condition called lepidopterism, or caterpillar dermatitis. Symptoms can include a rash or irritated skin and, in the worst cases, eye irritation, a sore throat and breathing difficulties. Treatment can be obtained from the GP and normally includes antihistamine and corticosteroid cream.
Reference: Country Living: Emma-Louise Pritchard, Mayola Fernandes