There is nothing more frustrating than pulling out your favorite clothing from storage, only to find it covered in holes. This is the result of Tineola Bisselliella (commonly known as a clothes moth), more specifically their larvae. The adult moths themselves don’t eat your clothes, but their babies do.
The number of clothes moths grows whenever the seasons get warmer. This means you are more than likely to find them around the beginning of spring around April to May, and then dying down again around October. However, because of the advancement of indoor heating clothes moths can survive in your home year-round.
Whenever they appear it is important to get rid of them quickly as a female moth can lay up to 200 eggs in one cluster. Below are some ways to get rid of and prevent clothes moths.
How To Get Rid Of Clothes Moths
The first step to getting rid of clothes moths is to get an effective moth killer spray for clothes. The eggs of a clothes moth are invisible to the human eye so having a spray that can cover a large area is important.
It is also not common to see fully grown clothes moths as they prefer dark undisturbed places, so moth traps may be needed. These are boxes or tags that are sticky and produce the scent of female pheromones so that the males get stuck to them and are unable to breed.
These traps can also be used to gauge how big your infestation is, if it gets too large then you may need to call in pest control.
If you get an infestation then you need to thoroughly clean all your clothes at the highest possible temperature. If there are clothes that can’t be washed then they should be frozen to kill any larvae.
Another way to get rid of clothes moths is to introduce their natural predator into your home, Trichogramma parasitic wasps. Now, this may sound unpleasant but these wasps are microscopic and eat the eggs of clothes moths. These wasps are harmless to humans and animals, and once all the clothes moth eggs are gone then they will naturally die out as well.
How To Prevent Clothes Moths
While it is handy to know how to get rid of clothes moths, the best method is to prevent them entirely.
The best way to prevent clothes moths is to keep everything clean. Their eggs are typically found in dust so regular vacuuming can remove most of them, especially under rugs and in corners. It is imperative to keep your closet and drawers clean especially when the weather gets warmer and the eggs begin to hatch.
If you are packing any clothes away for a season then they need to be stored in moth-proof bags or boxes. They should also be packed away clean so that there is no chance of eggs being packed away with your clothes, especially because the larvae can live for months. If you don’t check on your clothes then the larvae have enough time to do some serious damage.
There are also natural ways you can prevent clothes moths, these typically involve strong smells to mask the smell of female pheromones. This can be done with pouches of lavender or essential oils. You can also have cedar wood furniture or cedar wood hanging to naturally repel the moths.
What Do They Eat
Clothes moths are attracted to the keratin in clothes. This is found in natural fibers like genuine wool, silk, and fur. This means that the clothes they like to eat are typically the most expensive materials.
This doesn’t mean they won’t eat synthetic clothes, clothes moths are also attracted to skin cells, sweat, food residue, and pet fur. This is why it is important to keep your clothes clean.
Despite their name, clothes moths will eat any kind of fabric. This could include furnishings, bedding, and carpets. So keeping your whole house clean is just as important as keeping your closet clean.
Conclusion
You need to make sure you are checking your clothes and furnishings frequently for any signs of clothes moths. The quicker you can spot the holes, the better chance you have of getting rid of them before they can do any more damage.
Remember, the best way to prevent clothes moths is to keep your area clean. Your closet and drawers should be regularly dusted and any worn clothes need to be thoroughly cleaned before storage.
FAQs
The number of clothes moths grows whenever the seasons get warmer. This means you are more than likely to find them around the beginning of spring around April to May, and then dying down again around October. However, because of the advancement of indoor heating clothes moths can survive in your home year-round.
What season do moths eat clothes? ›
WHEN DO CLOTHES MOTHS EMERGE? Warmer winters, central heating and an increasing popularity of clothes made from natural fibres mean that clothes moths are now a year-long problem. There is, however, still a noticeable emergence in adult moths around April and May and a second wave in August and September.
What season is moth season? ›
Generally, moths hatch and become most active in the late spring and early summer. However, some moths, like the Miller Moth, migrate. These moths are often active throughout the entire summer and can plague different areas in the United States from May to late August.
What time of year do moths emerge? ›
The larval, or caterpillar, stage typically lasts about 7 weeks. The larvae are most active during the months of May and June. The individual larvae become pupae in late June on into July and remain in this stage for 1 to 2 weeks. Adults emerge in late June through the middle part of July and can persist into August.
What time are moths most active? ›
Almost all moths are nocturnal, meaning that they are most active at night.
What time of year is worst for moths? ›
These insects may be active at any time of the year. However, many species of moths are most active during the spring and summer months. So, start preparing your home starting in March\April time and stay vigilant until the end of August. Or, just pay attention to when the weather warms up and use that as your guide.
Do moths eat clothes in the summer or winter? ›
It is possible to get moths in the winter. In fact, clothing moths will often lay eggs that hatch and eat through clothes all summer. Then in the fall, they make a cocoon where they grow into adults through the winter. In the spring when it warms up, these larvae leave their cocoons as full-grown adults.
How do you tell if moths are eating your clothes? ›
Clothes moth are very small and pale, and hide in dark places, so they may be hard to see. The first symptom you'll probably spot is tiny holes in your clothing, or thinner patches in your carpets, curtains, rugs or furnishings. These holes get bigger over time as the larvae grows and eats more.
How do I keep moths from eating my clothes? ›
7 tips for preventing clothes moths and managing an infestation
- Deep clean your wardrobe. Moths like undisturbed corners that are dark and warm. ...
- Keep your clothes clean. ...
- Store your knitwear in garment bags. ...
- Vet your vintage. ...
- Invest in cedarwood hangers. ...
- Be vigilant. ...
- When all else fails, turn to fumigation.
Cedar wood rings in your wardrobe or drawers can help deter moths. Spritz carpets with lavender. Make a natural repellent by adding a few drops of lavender essential oil to water in a spray bottle. Shake well then spray your carpet and clothes lightly.
Freeze Fabric – Some fabric simply cannot be washed. For those items, you can seal them in a plastic bag and put them in a freezer for about 12 hours. The intensely cold temperatures will kill eggs, larvae and moths.
What months do moths go away? ›
The number of clothes moths grows whenever the seasons get warmer. This means you are more than likely to find them around the beginning of spring around April to May, and then dying down again around October.
How long do adult clothes moths live? ›
The lifecycle lasts for about 65-90 days, with the female adult moths living for about 30 days and potentially laying up to 300 eggs. The larvae that hatch from the eggs do the damage, as the adult moths themselves, known as 'millers', pose no threat to your knitwear.
What weather kills moths? ›
Freezing infested woolens can work to kill clothes moths if there is an abrupt change from warm (70° F; 21° C) to freezing (0° F; - 18° C) and leaving the items for at least 72 hours once the material reaches 0° F.
How long do moth infestations last? ›
Total development time of clothes moths depends greatly on food availability, temperature, and humidity, but generally lasts to 3 months. In some cases they can survive up to a year or more. On average, females lay 40 to 50 eggs shortly after emerging from the pupal case.
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.
When should I treat my clothes moths? ›
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. If the Moth Box fills up with moths in 1 or 2 weeks, then jump into action.
What temperature kills clothes moths? ›
Freezing infested woolens can work to kill clothes moths if there is an abrupt change from warm (70° F; 21° C) to freezing (0° F; - 18° C) and leaving the items for at least 72 hours once the material reaches 0° F.
Are clothes moths around in winter? ›
It is possible to get moths in the winter. In fact, clothing moths will often lay eggs that hatch and eat through clothes all summer. Then in the fall, they make a cocoon where they grow into adults through the winter. In the spring when it warms up, these larvae leave their cocoons as full-grown adults.
