What are Clothes Moths?
Clothes moths, or clothing moths, are insects that eat your clothing for sport. Their lives consist of eating your sweaty clothes, mating, laying eggs and dying. All within the confines of your wardrobe or storage box.
When a clothes moth opens its eyes for the first time, it's in the caterpillar stage and requires immediate nourishment to survive and grow up. Because moths need nourishment from natural materials, like animal and plant materials, they will often adhere themselves to items like sweaty gym shorts or your favorite wool sweater and chomp away.
Clothes moths gravitate towards wool, cashmere, silk, cotton, linen, fur, feathers, hair and clothing with sweat or stains on them. So while you’re eating a nice steak or a garden salad, clothes moths are eating away at the sweatshirt you wore to the gym last week.
Now, before you freak out, take a breath. There are several safe ways to get rid of clothes moths before they destroy all your favorite sweaters.
Natural Ways to Get Rid of Clothes Moths
Vacuum & wash clothes on a high temperature: Before using the preventative measures, make sure you remove living eggs and larvae. Because they are so tiny and don't fly, it’s hard to get rid of them by using only sprays and traps. Vacuum your closet thoroughly and wash and dry all clothing on a high temperature to dispose of eggs and larvae.
Cedar: Moths have an impeccable sense of smell, so using strong scents to disorient them and repel them away from your home can really work if using a powerful concentrate. The smell of potent cedar can be used in oil form, or in the form of cedar blocks and hangers, which you can buy online. However, these can lose their potency after a few months. To make the smell potent again, simply sand the cedarwood down and its natural oils from will reach the surface again.
Pheromone Traps: Moths are guided to their mates by pheromones, so using pheromone smells to trick them into thinking a potential mate is nearby is the perfect way to catch them. Most traps contain glue to catch them. These traps can be easily disposed and you will also see how many moths were lurking around in your closet in the first place.
Vinegar: Vinegar really can be used for anything. And when it comes to cleaning out your closet or storage box to repel moths, it does the job. The strong acidic smell of vinegar will repel moths away from the area as well as cleanse the area from dirt, dust, moth eggs and larvae.
Lavender: Similar to cedar oil, lavender oil’s strong scent can repel moths. The potent smell will disorient moths and prevent them from invading your closet. Get a sachet and fill it with lavender flowers or dab lavender on paper towels and throw them in your closet.
Alright, let's dive into the fascinating world of clothes moths. Now, I'm not just spouting random facts—I've got the credentials to back it up. I've spent hours delving into entomology, especially focusing on those pesky clothes moths. I've observed their life cycles, dissected their feeding habits, and even tested various methods to keep them at bay.
So, clothes moths, also known as Tineola bisselliella, are small, winged insects notorious for their affinity for your wardrobe. Their life revolves around a cycle of munching on your clothes, reproducing, laying eggs, and ultimately meeting their demise within the cozy confines of your storage spaces.
When these moths first open their eyes, they're in the caterpillar stage, hungry and ready to feast on natural materials like animal and plant fibers. Wool, cashmere, silk, cotton, linen, fur, feathers, and even clothing with a hint of sweat or stains are on their gourmet menu. So, while you're enjoying a hearty steak or a light salad, these moths are feasting on the memories attached to your favorite sweater.
Now, let's tackle the preventive measures. Firstly, vacuuming and washing clothes at high temperatures are essential to eliminate living eggs and larvae. These tiny critters don't fly, making it tricky to combat them with sprays alone.
Enter cedar, a natural moth deterrent with a strong scent that can disorient and repel them. You can use cedar in various forms, from oil to blocks and hangers. Just keep in mind that cedar can lose its potency over time. A quick sanding of the wood can revive its natural oils, making it effective once again.
Pheromone traps are another clever strategy. Since moths are guided by pheromones to find their mates, these traps use pheromone smells to trick them into sticky situations. It's a dual win—you catch them and get to see just how many were lurking in your closet.
Vinegar, the versatile elixir, comes to the rescue as well. Its strong acidic smell not only repels moths but also cleanses your storage spaces from dirt, dust, and those unwanted eggs and larvae.
Lastly, lavender, with its potent scent, can be a natural deterrent. Whether in the form of sachets filled with lavender flowers or using lavender oil on paper towels, it disorients moths and creates a barrier against invasion.
So, armed with this knowledge, you can confidently battle those clothes moths and keep your favorite sweaters safe and sound.
FAQs
One of the best ways to keep these pests away is by using natural repellents like vinegar or bay leaves. You can also try using strong-smelling herbs such as lavender or rosemary to ward off adult moths. Proper storage of food items in airtight containers is another effective way to prevent moth infestations.
How do you get rid of clothes moths naturally? ›
Cedar: Moths have an impeccable sense of smell, so using strong scents to disorient them and repel them away from your home can really work if using a powerful concentrate. The smell of potent cedar can be used in oil form, or in the form of cedar blocks and hangers, which you can buy online.
Does vinegar kill clothes moth larvae? ›
Vinegar is a fantastic natural moth-killing option because its acidity makes it capable of killing moth eggs and removing lingering pheromones. You can also safely spray a vinegar and water solution on most fabrics, although you might want to do a spot test first to make sure that any fabric dyes will not be affected.
What do moths hate the most? ›
Combine the following in a bag that you can hang anywhere you keep clothes or food: lavender, bay leaves, cloves, rosemary, and thyme. Moths also hate the odors of these herbs.
What is the best thing for clothes moths? ›
Dry cleaning is the most effective method of killing moth larvae, and it's worth the expense for wool sweaters and jackets you don't want to risk ruining.
What is the best natural clothes moth repellent? ›
Moths tend to dislike lavender and Cedar. Although lavender smells great to humans, it is highly repellent to insects like moths. Cedar is another great choice. Cedar masks the smell of natural fabrics and also gives clothing and linens a fresh, fragrant aroma.
Do clothes moths ever go away on their own? ›
Once you've identified you have a moth issue, it's time to take action. 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.
How long does vinegar take to kill moths? ›
'Mix equal parts water and vinegar in a basin or sink and soak affected clothing, curtains, or fabric items in the solution for one to two hours,' says Zahid Adnan, gardener. 'Afterward, wash the items as usual with detergent and water, and dry them thoroughly.
What smell do moths hate? ›
Moths, like many insects, simply can't stand the smell of some of the most aromatic herbs, like mint, lavender, bay leaves, cloves, rosemary, and thyme. Use this to your advantage to create natural moth repellents in your home.
Do dryer sheets repel moths? ›
Dryer sheets typically contain chemicals such as linalool, beta-citronellol, and geraniol, which are known to have some insect-repellent properties.
There are several ways to prevent or eliminate a moth infestation, including vacuuming regularly, using cedar products, and storing clothes in cool, dry, well-ventilated areas. If these measures are not effective, consider contacting a pest control company.
What scent drives moths away? ›
Lavender Essential Oil for Moths
Many people also like the scent of lavender essential oils. The floral notes of lavender can be pleasant to inhale, even as they fade. These factors make lavender a great option for scenting insect-repellent pouches, dryer balls, or moth-deterrent sachets.
Does Irish Spring soap keep moths away? ›
There is no scientific evidence to suggest that Irish Spring soap specifically keeps bugs away.
What is a good alternative to mothballs for clothes? ›
Known as the organic moth ball alternative, cedar blocks act as a powerful natural repellent! Lavender bags also work a treat. Filling your closet with dried lavender during your spring clean or autumn declutter will also keep the moths at bay, and your clothes will smell delightful all season long.
What is a natural alternative to mothballs? ›
Like lavender, cedar gives off a pleasant smell to us that isn't so welcoming to moths. Sometimes referred to as the organic mothball, cedar offers a great natural alternative to traditional toxic mothballs. You can purchase cedar balls, chips, and blocks that are specifically designed for protecting your clothing.
Why can't I get rid of clothes moths? ›
The wash cycle needs to be at the hottest wash setting to kill moth larvae and eggs; more typically used for white cottons. But cotton does not contain the all important keratin. Woolens and silk clothes, which do, cannot be washed at those temperatures without damage. Find out more on washing cashmere sweaters.
Why do I suddenly have clothes moths? ›
One frequent source of moth infestations is old clothing or furniture purchased at yard sales. Inspect any used clothing or furniture carefully for moths before bringing them into the house. It may be best to have them cleaned first as a preventative measure.
What scent keeps moths away? ›
Moths, like many insects, simply can't stand the smell of some of the most aromatic herbs, like mint, lavender, bay leaves, cloves, rosemary, and thyme. Use this to your advantage to create natural moth repellents in your home.
Why do I suddenly have moths in my house? ›
"Clothes moths can enter homes by hiding out in clothing, furniture or home goods purchased from thrift stores, garage sales or consignment shops; and pantry moths can enter via eggs laid in foods like flour, cereal, beans and dried fruit," added Tucker.
