How to Eliminate Destruction by Moths

Female clothes moths lay up to 300 eggs at a time.

There are two species of moths responsible for damages to clothes and fabrics: the casemaking clothes moth and the webbing clothes moth. These moths are destructive in the larvae stage of development, feeding on protein fabrics such as wool, cotton, silk and other natural fibers. Eliminating the destruction caused by moths requires taking steps to exterminate existing eggs and larvae of the moth and taking steps to keep the infestation from reoccurring in the future.

Things You'll Need

• Vacuum
• Plastic bags
• Insecticide
• Soap
• Water
• Plastic containers
• mothballs
• Cedar

Instructions

1. Remove all clothing from the area where the damage has been noticed. This includes emptying out the closet and chest of drawers. Place the clothing in plastic bags.

2. Vacuum the area where the infestation occurred. Eggs and the small larvae are difficult to see. Focus on edges, cracks and crevices where the eggs may be hiding. Repeat the vacuuming process multiple times to remove as many moths as possible.

3. Wash the clothes in hot water or send them to the dry cleaners to kill all the moths. The hot water and the chemicals used by dry cleaners will kill the moths at all stages of development.

4. Use insecticide to treat the affected areas. Insecticides used to kill ants and other insects will kill moths and can be purchased at grocery stores and home improvement stores. Do not spray the insecticide everywhere in the closet or drawers. Focus the spray into the corners to treat for moths.

5. Wash clothes prior to storing them for the season to prevent moth infestation in the future. Moths typically attack garments that are not clean and most holes in the clothing is found where sweat is most common, such as in the armpits.

6. Store clothes in plastic bins that can be sealed air tight. The clothes must be washed prior to placing them in the plastic container for best results.

7. Use mothballs or cedar wood to control further outbreaks. Mothballs are toxic and should not be placed in direct contact with clothes. Use paper to separate the mothball for clothing. Some people are allergic to the fumes of mothballs. Cedar wood helps control larvae of the clothes moths. However, the oil dissipates after a few years and must be replaced.

8. Keep the areas where clothes are stored clean. Remove any food that may draw in moths or other pests, and vacuum regularly to remove any moths that may have laid eggs inside the closet.

References

• New Mexico State University; Preventing Damage from Clothes Moths and Carpet Beetles; Susan Wright; 2006
• Bensingers Fine Cleaners; How to Prevent Moth Damage; Everett Childers