To eliminate moths, you must disrupt their life cycle, which includes removing any unhatched eggs and larvae.
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Nothing ruins a morning quite like going into the wardrobe for your favorite sweater and seeing one or more small holes. Unfortunately, this means moths have preyed upon you. And when there is one, there are many more. Unlike pantry pests and summer’s outdoor moths who gravitate toward light, moths prefer dark areas, such as closets, basements, and attics.
While moths are indeed disgusting, they do not destroy your clothing; their larvae do. According to Blake Newton, an Entomologist at the University of Kentucky, moths lay eggs on clothes, caterpillars emerge from the eggs and then nibble on the clothes.
Newton explains that these caterpillars have refined taste: “They will only consume animal-based textiles such as wool and cashmere since the caterpillars need animal proteins from the fabric to grow and develop.” So along with your wool or cashmere sweaters, your fur jackets, silk blouses, and anything feathered are the main target of these pesky insects. If you are wondering about this problem, clothes vacuum bags can be your go-to solution for keeping these insects away.
So, first, let’s discuss what cloth moths are.
Cloth Moth
It is known as the webbing clothes moth, everyday clothes moth, or just clothing moth. It is a type of fungus moth found in various habitats (family Tineidae and subfamily Tineinae). In 1823, Arvid David Hummel published the first description of this species, the type species of the genus Tineola. The particular name bisselliella is often misspelled. G. A. W. Herrich-Schäffer also used their incorrect spelling.
The larvae of this moth are regarded as a severe nuisance because they may feed on clothes, particularly wool, and many other natural fibers and stored goods, such as grains, as do the larvae of most related species.
What Causes Clothes Moth Larvae to Consume Natural Fibers?
Clothes moth larvae need the energy to develop and pupate to mature into adult clothes moths once they have emerged from their egg. Adult clothes moths do not feed and have a minimal lifetime, which they utilize only to reproduce.
Knitted fabrics made of wool, cashmere, and silk are examples of animal-based fibers. Keratin is the protein found in animal fibers that provides nourishment for clothing moth larvae to consume. Keratin may also be found in human hair and skin, making up a significant portion of household dust and appealing to clothing moths.
A wardrobe full of animal-based natural fiber clothing in a dark, dusty, undisturbed atmosphere would be the ideal habitat for a clothes moth infestation to flourish. Unfortunately, closets in spare bedrooms and attics often serve as excellent clothing moth breeding grounds.
Moisture, even in small quantities, is essential for the growth of clothing moth larvae, such as perspiration on recently worn garments that have been put back in closets or beverages spilled on clothing. Other factors all play a role in the female clothes moth choosing where to lay their eggs for the larvae to hatch.
How to Keep Away Moths
Whether you want to keep moths out of your wardrobe or have already spotted a few suspicious holes in your favorite clothing and want to eliminate clothes moths, here are the best ways of staying safe from moths.
Vacuum Weekly
“Vacuuming efficiently eliminates existing larvae as well as hair and lint that may increase future infestations,” says Dr. Mike Potter of the University of Kentucky’s College of Agriculture’s Entomologist department. “Vacuum carpet edges, behind furniture, baseboards, inside closets, and other dark places where moths like to feed. We recommend disposing of the bag’s contents immediately since they may include eggs, larvae, or adult moths.
Get a Brush
While combing your clothes with a brush may seem strange, it effectively removes moth eggs and reveals larvae. The University of California’s Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources recommends exposing clothes to direct sunlight and carefully brushing them. Give particular attention to folds, seams, and pockets. According to the Integrated Pest Management Program (IPMR), brushing them will destroy their eggs. Sunlight causes the larvae to fall off clothes.
Never Store Dirty Clothes
Keep in mind that simply wearing a cardigan once for an hour or more and wearing it over another top makes them dirty. So before packing up your clothing for the season, wash or dry clean them to eliminate dirt and oil. The Pest Management Program at the University of California recommends washing clothing for 20-30 minutes in water at least 120°F. Else, take them for dry cleaning.
Airtight Storage for Off-Season Clothing
After cleaning and pest-freeing your clothes, store them in airtight containers with tight-fitting lids rather than drawers and trunks with tiny holes through which bugs can enter and manifest.
Do not Use Chemical Products
Mothballs and flakes are effective because they contain paradichlorobenzene (PDB) or naphthalene, both of which are deadly to moths. “To reach the desired concentrations, the vapors must be firmly restricted to the objects being protected,” according to Dr. Potter. Because there is no way to determine if your mothball vapors are sufficiently concentrated to be helpful and because these chemicals may also be hazardous to you, we recommend not to use them at all. If you are a devoted mothball user, be sure to properly air out clothes before hanging them in your closet at the start of each season.
There is a more natural and safer method to repel moths. Small satchels of lavender can be tucked inside dresser drawers or hung in the closet.
Freeze your Clothes
Freezing clothes can also work, but only if the transition from warm to freezing temperatures is rapid (70°F to 0°F) and if the clothing is left in the freezer for at least 72 hours after reaching freezing temperatures. Even then, the freezer will not always eliminate an infection.
Iron Your Clothes
If you do not have access to a dryer or freezer, just ironing your clothing can help eliminate any indications of moth eggs. The iron’s high heat is a simple, efficient method to eradicate any traces of these troublesome insects. Double-check to ensure that your clothing does not shrink or get damaged due to the iron.
Conclusion
Bug problems are infamous for not getting resolved on the first attempt. Suppose you find yourself in a similar position. In that case, you should seek the assistance of a pest control professional to get rid of these bothersome creatures.
