Clothes Moth Control - How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths


Clothes Moths are extremely annoying. They also have the unnerving habit of dining on your favourite clothing. The clothes moth will attack all the clothes in your home that are made from natural fibres such as, silk, wool, and leather, so the sooner you can rid yourself of these little pests the less damage they will be able to inflict on your possessions.

 

Categories of Clothes Moth Control Products
 

Clothes Moth Identification
 

The common clothes moth is easily distinguishable from other moths; they very rarely fly if not at all, preferring to scurry along surfaces. They only grow to a maximum of 7mm in length, have a pale straw coloured appearance and usually always hold their wings along their body.

 

The Problem Lies with the Larvae
 

The real issue is with the larvae, as these are what eat your clothing and leave you with unattractive holes. However, a regular sighting of moths around your home is an indicator that you have textile destroying larvae in the home.

 

Signs of a Clothes Moth Infestation
 

Most people assume that a moth in the house flew in by mistake. The fact is that the moth may have lived its entire life in your home. At the first indication of a moth on the premises, you should look for other signs of an infestation. The most obvious is damage to your fabrics, but other warning signs include the presence of small maggot-like larvae, silken tubes or cases the larvae live in and silk cocoons. When purchasing second-hand clothing or furniture, look for threads that are silver in colour and about an inch long, as these are the larvae cases that indicate the presence of moths.

 

Preventing Clothes Moth Infestations
 

There are some simple moth control steps you can take to avoid moth damage in your home. It starts with cleaning the home regularly. Moths lay their eggs in areas that are dry and dark, such as cupboards and lofts. Clean these areas regularly to remove the eggs and the problems.
 

Unused clothing should be sealed in plastic bags or suitcases. People traditionally used mothballs to keep the critters away; however these were banned in 2008 due to the fact that they were highly toxic and flammable, amongst other reasons. Since then manufacturers have been producing alternatives such as Pest Expert Hanging Units or Papers, which will accomplish the same thing in a safer way. Lavender or Mint can also be used to protect the textiles in your home. The best deterrent to keep moths out of unused textiles however, is simply a container with a secure, tight fit.
 

Vacuum your carpet regularly to protect your fine rugs from the damaging effects of growing moth larvae. The bottoms of upholstered furniture can also fall victim, so you should consider adding some moth proofing. When vacuuming, be sure to vacuum the skirting boards and under furniture. Dispose of the bag in the outdoor rubbish bin promptly to avoid larvae from hatching in the bag and escaping into your home.

 

Treatment for Clothes Moths
 

Insecticides available from Pest Control Supplies are effective for killing off these destructive little invaders. Unlike other treatments, the Clothes Moth Killer sprays are applied directly to textiles such as furniture and carpeting. The fabric should not be saturated, as only a light spray is required. Regular cleaning will gradually remove the treatment, so it will have to be reapplied from time to time.
 

You can also treat your wardrobes and the areas under heavy furniture with Powders Sprinkled around the inside of the wardrobe, this powder should be applied directly to cracks and crevices where eggs could be hiding.
 

Clothes Moth Killer Smoke Bombs & Foggers are another effective option for ridding the entire home of moths.

Moths can destroy the clothing and furnishings in your home. Fortunately, there are ways to get rid of these pests. Regular cleaning and vacuuming are excellent for preventing an infestation. If you already have them in the home, combine the cleaning with chemical treatments.