If you live in Horizon West, you may spot your clothes moths get fabric damage and infestation and are often blamed for clothing moths. However, fabrics like carpets, rugs, clothes, and furniture may also be damaged by other pests, such as carpet beetles. If an infestation is not treated, it may remain undetected for extended periods and cause severe damage. The article covers the recognition of carpet beetles and clothes moths, along with care and eradication techniques. If you need guidance for clothes moths and carpet beetle infestation, contact Horizon West Pest Control.
How to protect your clothes from carpet beetles and clothes moths?
It is unlikely that the moths flying around your home are the kinds that eat clothes.
The two types of moths that eat fabric are common (known as webbing) and case-bearing (also known as casemaking) clothes moths. Because they are small—about 1 cm—and like stay hidden, rarely you will ever see them eating your clothing.
Both moths have a preference for chewing on clothing made from fur, feathers, leather, and wool that comes from animals. You know, the stuff that goes into producing your fancier, more costly clothes, like your cashmere sweaters and Mackinaw cruisers.
Before storing clothing (both daily and seasonal), ensure that it is clean
Moths in your clothing can be destroyed by the heat from the steaming water cycle in the washing machine and a tumble in the dryer. However, the majority of clothing that draws moths (such as suits and sweaters) is more delicate and should not be washed or dried. Instead of putting these clothes away for the day, please give them a quick spot cleaning to get rid of any hair or food crumbs, as these things can attract moths. Before you put it back up, brush your suit in order to get rid of the debris stated before and pet dander and skin cells, which moths also prefer. In any case, an extensive brushing can improve the lifespan of your outfit.
When not in use, place clothing in storage
When storing your garments for the season, your best bet is to store them inside airtight sealed bags and tubs to prevent moth damage.
After winter, put away any coats and suits you wear throughout the colder months in garment bags. Ensure that the hole in the bag where the hanger goes through is sealed with duct tape. Clothes moths can locate a way throughout any crack to get into your lovely clothing.
Winter sweaters are an excellent fit for compression bags. They preserve space and keep moths away from your items.
If needed, use lavender and cedar, but not only one
Using lavender (in the form of tied flower buds in a sachet) and cedar (in the form of hanging blocks, balls, and chests) is a common way of keeping moths away. Natural oils extracted from cedar destroy clothes moth larvae but not adults or eggs. Although the aroma of lavender does not appear to repel adult clothes moths, it does not kill eggs or larvae.
Cedar and lavender have a fading impact over time. You have to constantly restock your drawers with fresh lavender bags or cedar balls.
Experts advise against relying just on cedar and lavender for protection against moth damage because of the inability to repel moths from egg to maturity and their short lifespan.
Can you use mothballs?
Mothballs are usually the first thing that comes to mind when thinking about ways to keep moths off your clothes. It is possible that your grandparents used mothballs, and if you smell them now, it takes you right back to their home.
People used to have more woolen products for moths to burrow into and consume, as synthetic clothing (and carpets) were not yet widespread. Hence, moths were a bigger problem for our ancestors than it is for us, and in order to protect their clothes, they turned to mothballs—an effective, although unpleasant, solution.
