It's hard to pinpoint how these things get indoors in the first place, but they do not go away on their own, says Suiter. If you don't want moth hanky-panky in your pantry (translation: lots of babies!), it's time to do some sleuthing. Here's how to get rid of these common pests.
If it's clothes moths and the infestation is widespread, they never go away completely. You can keep them off your clothes by emptying your wardrobe and giving it a deep clean (vacuuming first) and then do with your clothes as suggested above (dry cleaning, hot wash, freezing) before putting them back in the wardrobe.
Finding moth holes in your clothes or baby caterpillars in your pantry is a big bummer. Unfortunately, moths will not go away on their own either.
The females do not live long (3-16 days) after egg deposition although the males of the webbing clothes moth can survive for about one month. The eggs hatch in 4-10 days in the summer, but may take up to three or more weeks in the winter.
It is possible, I suppose, for a rare individual to survive. Those species of moths who spin a dense silk anchoring structure around the resting pupa have a greater chance of survival, but the heat, penetrating detergent, and agitation will generally kill them.
Household items that may be attacked include clothing, blankets, comforters, rugs, carpets, drapes, pillows, hair mattresses, brushes, upholstery, furs, piano felts or other natural or synthetic fabrics mixed with wool.
Wash all clothes and textiles that can be put in the washing machine. This will get rid of any eggs that may have been laid on them. If possible also put the clothes through a hot dryer. Items that cannot be put in a clothes dryer can be put in the freezer for a few days which will also kill any eggs.
Clothes moth are most active from May until October, when temperatures are 15-35°C. They're most popular in Spring, when temperatures rise and clothes moth start to emerge and breed. However, due to central heating, clothes moth can be active in winter time as well.
Moths can come into your house through food or fabric items that are contaminated with eggs or larvae. These items are usually unwittingly carried in from the outside. Used furniture, clothing, and rolls of carpet are common hiding places for moth larvae or eggs.
Create a barrier and put your clothes in plastic or vacuum bags. "Nothing can't live there because there's no oxygen. Even just sealing them well and airtight will reduce the possibility of moths getting in," adds Kern. These bags can hold blankets, linen, sweaters and other bulky items.
One of the best ways to avoid moths is vacuuming to be prepared early to stop pests. This should be done at least once a week, or every day if possible. There are several reasons why vacuuming helps to get rid of moths. The biggest reason is because it gets rids of moth eggs and larvae as part of insect control.
For an instant kill, cleaning containers using a solution of hot soapy water will instantly kill Pantry Moth Eggs. Additionally, freezing items will kill eggs and larvae, although you must wait 72 hours for this method to be effective.
Catching 1 or 2 moths a week indicates a light infestation, so you may wish to carry out a deep clean, store your clothes (described below) and check the Moth Box weekly for any spike in numbers.
To inspect for clothes moths, look to see if there are silken tubes in the hidden portions of clothes, such as under collars, or silken mats or patches on material. Both the silken tubes and mats often have fibers and feces incorporated into them.
After you've confirmed that you have clothing moths (or any cloth-eating bugs), take the following steps to clean your clothes and closet: Discard particularly infested items. If the clothing is extremely damaged, it may be impossible to repair.
The best natural moth-repellent essential oil is cedar. Cedar oil is strong and effective and the moths don't like it! Other good essential oils to repel moths include lavender, rosemary, lemon, bergamot, sage, and mint.
Launder items in hot water for 20–30 minutes to kill eggs, larvae, and adult clothes moths. Dry clean items that cannot be laundered. Non-washable items can be placed in a Ziploc bag and frozen for 2 weeks to kill the insects. Allow items to return to room temperature before removing from the plastic bag.
Lavender — Lavender is a widely-loved moth repellent for good reason. Its floral scent is delightful to humans but repulsive to moths. Our 'Protect Me' Scent Bags can be placed in closets and drawers to protect your garments. Plus, they impart a lovely fragrance to all surrounding clothes.
Yes, moth larvae can and will eat cotton but only if it is damp, or is showing evidence of food or sweat stains. As long as cotton shirts are clean and dry they should not be at risk. In general moth larvae prefer to feast on animal based fibres that contain keratin.
Remove everything from your wardrobe, vacuum all the corners and drawers, and wipe all your surfaces with a detergent-soaked cloth to kill off larvae. Then wash all of your clothes (and curtains and upholstery, too). Dry cleaning kills moth eggs and larvae, and is an excellent option for bulky items like coats.
As an alternative, you can choose an all-natural product to repel moths, such as cedar chips and lavender sachets.
In the adult stage, the Common Brown House moth can live anywhere between 1-4 months depending on environmental and climatic conditions. From the day a house moth hatches from an egg to the day it dies as an adult, the timespan can range from 2-4 months. Clothes Moths and Pantry Moths are mainly found in houses.
Washing your clothes can kill clothes moth larvae, but it is unlikely to be a suitable solution for the types of garments that will be targeted as a food source. The wash cycle needs to be at the hottest wash setting to kill moth larvae and eggs; more typically used for white cottons.
Cedar oil (or cedarwood oil) is an essential oil derived from conifer trees, and moths hate the scent of it. Spray cedar oil into the corners of your closet, or pour some cedar oil into a diffuser. Other herbs that are repugnant to moths are lavender, rosemary, cloves, bay leaves, and thyme.