As winter officially draws to a close, clothes moths start to become a big problem in March. Below we share everything you need to know including what these insects are, how to spot the signs of an infestation and how to prevent them making their way into your home.<\/p>\n
What are clothes moths?<\/strong><\/p>\n Clothes moths are small, \u00bd inch insects which are beige or buff-coloured. They have narrow wings which are fringed with small hairs. They\u2019re seldom seen because they avoid light which can make them difficult to detect.<\/p>\n These moths are pests because they destroy fabric and other materials. They feed exclusively on animal fibres such as wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt and leather which is why they\u2019re often found in wardrobes.<\/p>\n What are the signs of clothes moths?<\/strong><\/p>\n People often don\u2019t realise they have a problem with clothes moths because these creatures prefer dark, undisturbed areas such as wardrobes, attics and quiet rooms.<\/p>\n Keep an eye out for the following signs which may indicate that you have an infestation.<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Unexplained damage (such as holes, staining or moisture) to clothing. This most frequently occurs in knitwear, silk or leather garments<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0You may spot the physical signs of moths but this really will require some detective work. Their eggs are very small and are usually found in dark, undisturbed areas of drawers, wardrobes or even skirting boards. While adult moths are a bit bigger, they can fit into very tight crevices so can be hard to spot unless you catch them in flight<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Larvae cases around the home<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0If you have a heavy infestation, moths may fly out of your wardrobe when you open it<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Webbing, similar to spider webs may be present. These often contain pupal cases<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Small piles of dust or frass at the bottom of wardrobes and under chairs, beds and fabric-covered furniture<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Unexplained damage to carpets<\/p>\n How do I prevent a clothes moth infestation?<\/strong><\/p>\n If you\u2019ve already spotted an infestation, do a thorough clean of any clothes you decide to keep. Dry cleaning is the most effective way to kill moth larvae and will help to prevent further damage.<\/p>\n Alternatively, you can put clothes in a hot wash (check labels first as some materials such as wool will shrink at high temperatures.) If clothing is very badly damaged, you will probably have to throw them away if you really want to contain the infestation.<\/p>\n Whether you\u2019ve suffered an outbreak of clothes moths before or you have an impressive wardrobe you want to protect, there are a number of steps you can take to prevent an infestation occurring in the first place.<\/p>\n \u2022\u00a0Thoroughly vacuum carpets on a regular basis. It\u2019s also worth using a carpet steamer every once in a while (don\u2019t forget to do any carpeted areas inside cupboards)
\n\u2022\u00a0Check dark, quiet areas such as wardrobes, corners and crevices on a regular basis
\n\u2022\u00a0Store items made from animal fibres in tightly sealed plastic storage bins or compression bags
\n\u2022\u00a0Suits, dresses and other hanging clothes can be kept in garment bags. Ensure these are sealed and don\u2019t have any holes
\n\u2022\u00a0Avoid storing clothes in fabric containers because moths can eat through these
\n\u2022\u00a0Frequently open drawers and cupboard doors and move things around because these pests hate both light and movement<\/p>\n