How to Rid Your Home of Clothing Moths

The wormlike larvae of clothing moths feed on fabrics, clothing, carpets, rugs, furs, blankets, wool products, upholstery, piano felts and brushes - any materials of animal origin.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Mothballs
• Tissue Paper
• Cedar Chests
• Organic Moth Repellent
• Vacuums
• Window Screens
• Airtight Containers
• Tissue paper

1. Keep your house clean. Vacuum under furniture, along baseboards, in corners, in closets and around heater vents and draperies. Get rid of full vacuum cleaner bags promptly, as they may contain eggs, larvae or adult insects.

2. Remove empty bird, rodent and insect nests from your home's perimeter, as they can also harbor moths.

3. Store out-of-season clothes properly. Dry-clean or wash them in hot water (above 120 degrees F for 20 to 30 minutes) before storing. Brush out any pockets, along the seams and under collars. Store clothes in airtight containers.

4. Place mothballs, flakes or crystals in airtight containers, and include a layer of paper to keep clothing from coming in contact with the insecticides. (These products contain naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene, which can fuse plastic, including plastic buttons, into fabric.) Vapors from the insecticides will build up in the container and slowly kill the moths.

Tips & Warnings

• Clothing moths are not attracted to light.

• Clothing moths flutter close by the area of infestation.

• The chemicals in mothballs can cause skin, throat and eye irritation, and are toxic if swallowed or inhaled. Follow directions for use on the package.