How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths in the Laundry Room
Two types of clothes moths are common in the United States: the webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) and casemaking clothes moth (Tinea pellionella). They feed on fabrics --- especially those made from animal fibers such as wool, felt and fur. If you have moths in your laundry room, get rid of them as soon and as thoroughly as possible to minimize their damage. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
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Inspect your laundry room to find the infestation. Look through all your linens, on the curtains, under the ironing board cover and under any rugs, for example. Take the items outdoors and beat or shake off the larvae and eggs. Launder the items, preferably in hot water. You can also vacuum up the eggs and larvae, but discard the vacuum bag outdoors in a sealed plastic trash bag.
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Clean your laundry room top to bottom with disinfectants. Wash down the walls with soapy dish water and the floors with a floor cleaner. Clean behind the washer and dryer as well. This step will help get rid of the moths that may be hiding in the darker, unseen areas of your laundry room.
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Place moth traps in your laundry room, pantry and other areas where you have spotted them. Alternatively, spray a insecticide labeled for moths, such as one that contains allethrin, chlorpyrifos, permethrin or propoxur. Spray along the floor and in corners but not on your clothes, carpets, blankets or other linens. You can vacuum infested wall-to-wall carpet or antique or wool rugs, but it may take a professional to get rid of the eggs and larvae completely.
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Examine other areas of your home for moths. If you don't get rid of them from the rest of your home, they will return to the laundry room. Rooms with carpets, clothing, blankets and other fabrics are more likely to be infested, so inspect, clean and treat as necessary.
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References
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