To permanently eliminate closet moths, you must remove the existing infestation and prevent new ones. Empty your closet completely, deep clean the space, wash or freeze infested garments, use targeted Pheromone Moth Traps to monitor the area, and store cleaned clothes in airtight containers.
The most common and effective method for killing all stages of clothes moths in clothing, blankets, and other washable articles is to thoroughly launder them for 20 to 30 minutes in water that is at least 120°F.
Keep clothes brushed and cleaned, especially items that will be stored for any length of time. Clean fabrics stained with food or perspiration before storing them because these items are attacked by clothes moths most often. Sweep or vacuum regularly to remove woolen lint or hair from floors, shelves, and drawers.
As a quick recap, these are the products you will need to get rid of moths:
The main cause of closet moths is usually the presence of natural fabrics and materials that contain keratin. Keratin is a protein found in animal based fibers such as wool, leather, and even feathers. It's the same thing that makes up your hair and fingernails, and Clothes Moth Larvae love to eat it!
Clothes moths lay their eggs primarily during the spring and summer (peaking around March to October). However, thanks to central heating and indoor climates, they can mate and lay eggs year-round in most heated homes.
To get rid of moths when you cannot find the source, set out pheromone traps to catch active adults and locate their breeding grounds. Then, aggressively vacuum hard-to-reach areas, wash vulnerable fabrics, and inspect hidden spots like old wool rugs, pet food containers, and forgotten pantry items.
Adult clothes moths live for about 15 to 30 days. However, the destructive larval (caterpillar) stage—which actually eats your clothes—can live anywhere from 2 months to 2.5 years depending on temperature and food availability.
For the instant knockdown of adult moths in flight, your best option is an aerosol spray containing pyrethrins, such as the Reefer-Galler SLA Cedar Scented Spray. Pyrethrins are derived from chrysanthemum flowers and attack the nervous system of the moth, causing it to drop almost immediately.
If you do find signs of clothes moth you will need to tackle them straight away. Start by throwing away garments that are beyond repair. If items can be repaired then clean them thoroughly first either by hand with our Laundry Liquid or at the dry cleaners. Vacuum your empty wardrobe, taking care to clean all the dust.
Yes, moths can lay eggs in various places, including your bed. Clothes moths, in particular, are known to infest fabrics like bedding, mattresses, and clothing. To prevent this, regularly clean and vacuum your sleeping area, and consider using moth repellents or storing linens in sealed containers.
Clothes moths are strongly repelled by the natural, pungent aromas of essential oils and dried herbs. These scents disrupt their ability to locate nesting sites and fibers.
To find a clothes moth nest, focus on dark, undisturbed areas where animal-based fabrics (wool, silk, fur, feathers) are stored. Look for irregular holes in clothing, white silken webbing, crust-like spots, and tiny sand-like droppings.
Yes, clothes moths, larvae, and eggs can survive a washing machine if the water temperature is below 50∘C (122∘F) or if the cycle is short. To kill them effectively, the wash must be at least 50∘C (122∘F) for 20 to 30 minutes.
The best sprays for clothes moths depend on your goals. For treating garments directly, pyrethrin-based aerosol sprays are ideal. For spraying closets and baseboards, permethrin or synthetic pyrethroid sprays provide longer-lasting, residual protection. Natural essential oil sprays are excellent for repelling moths without chemicals.
It's October! 🎃 Look out for these butterflies and moths in your gardens and local green spaces Many butterflies and moths spend the colder months as caterpillars, but there are still some that you might spot fluttering around amongst the beautiful autumnal landscape.
Clothes moth eggs are extremely fragile. They can be effectively destroyed using heat, freezing, targeted insecticides, or manual cleaning.
Moth season typically spans April to October, with peak activity during the spring and late summer months. Because warmer temperatures speed up their lifecycle and reproduction, you will notice the most moths around April and May, and again in August and September.
Moths and their caterpillars are a vital food source for a vast range of wildlife. Key predators include bats, birds (which feed thousands of caterpillars to their chicks), spiders, frogs, lizards, and smaller mammals like shrews and rodents.
Most outdoor moths lay their eggs in the late fall. The eggs incubate over the winter and hatch in the spring. However, for common indoor pests like clothes moths and pantry moths, females can mate and lay eggs year-round when indoor environments are warm.
Moths don't usually chew through solid wood or slip under tight door cracks to get into your closet. Instead, most infestations begin when you unknowingly introduce moth eggs or larvae into your home.
Moths typically avoid bathrooms because they prefer dark, undisturbed, and dry areas. However, if you see small "moth-like" bugs, they are likely drain flies (or moth flies). True moths might occasionally wander in seeking light or if the bathroom has a linen closet with stored wool/fabrics.
You need to do a complete purge of the area they live in: remove all their feeding sources and decontaminate them, then make them inaccessible; and clean everything really well. If you truly have clothing moths a few moth balls really aren't going to cut it (they're more for prevention anyway).
To lure a moth out of hiding, use light, scent, or physical disturbance. Wait until dark, turn off all room lights, and shine a single bright flashlight or lamp toward a wall or into a transparent container. Alternatively, lure them with a sugar-water or fruit mixture.
Regularly wipe down surfaces to get rid of dust and crumbs. Help keep moths outside by keeping doors closed and repairing holes in window screens.