How to Avoid Moths in Clothes in Storage

Deep freezing clothes helps kill the moth eggs.

Clothes moths can ruin any fabric apparel left in storage. Adult moths lay eggs that, when they hatch, become larva that eat through sweaters, shirts and other accessories. Avoiding damage by clothes moths includes good housekeeping, the use of moth repellents and quickly addressing infected areas. Commercial moth repellents can be useful for controlling the pests, but care should be taken to avoid them coming in contact with the clothes, as some fabrics and dyes would react adversely.

Things You'll Need

• Moth repellent
• Paper
• Sealed containers

Instructions

1. Vacuum the floor and any upholstered carpet frequently. This helps remove any eggs that may be in the room. Take special care to vacuum thoroughly if you have pets, as cat and dog hair are a food source for clothes moths.

2. Wash and dry all cloths before they are stored. Do not store soiled clothes.

3. Place all cloths in tight-fitting containers or sealed boxes. Include moth repellent, according to the manufacturer's instructions. Do not let the moth repellent contact the clothes directly, because it contains heavy chemicals. Instead, wrap it in paper.

4. Spray insecticide in the infected area of the home if clothes moths are noticed. Do not spray it on the clothes directly, but instead just the carpet. Wash all clothes that were in the infected area. For items that are difficult to launder, such as stuffed animals, place them in a freezer for two to three days.

References

• New Mexico State University; Preventing Damage from Clothes Moths and Carpet Beetles; Susan Wright
• University of Kentucky; Fabric Insect Pests: Clothes Moths and Carpet Beetles; Bette Jo Dedic and Mike Potter

Resources

• University of California Davis: Clothes Moth