Although they are destructive, moths don’t eat your garments; instead, their offspring do. On textiles, moths deposit their eggs, which hatch into caterpillars, who subsequently consume the garments.
One more surprise? The taste of these caterpillars is sophisticated. Because the caterpillars require animal proteins from the fabric to grow and develop, they will only consume materials made from animals, such as cashmere and wool. Think about giving your new closet-squatting housemates access to your fur jackets, silk shirts, and anything with feathers in addition to wool or cashmere sweaters.
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How To Stop Moth From Eating Your Clothes
Purchase a Clothes Brush
Brushing your clothes may seem strange, but it’s a clever method of getting rid of moth eggs and revealing larvae. Put things in the light and give them a thorough brushing, focusing on the pockets, creases, and seams. Eggs will be destroyed by brushing, and larvae will fall off garments when exposed to bright light.
Wash your clothes before leaving
Before you become angry that we would even recommend such a thing, keep in mind that wearing a cardigan over another top for an hour or two is considered unclean. Any clothing that has been worn at all should be washed or dry cleaned before being packed away at the end of the season to get rid of oil and grime, which are two things that attract insects. The Pest Management Program at the University of California recommends washing clothing in water that is at least 120 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 to 30 minutes. Alternatively, have them dry-cleaned.
Off-season apparel should be kept airtight
After washing and removing pests, store your clothes in airtight plastic containers with tight-fitting lids rather than dressers or trunks with gaps that allow insects to enter. Keep your attractive storage baskets for knickknacks, toys, and pet supplies, not clothes.
Freeze Your Favorites
Put your feather boas, wool sweaters, and expensive silk scarves in zipper bags and store them in the freezer with the frozen peas once a year. “For a few days, keep them there. “This will kill any caterpillars.”
How to Get Moths Out of Your House
Weekly Vacuuming, Even in Your Closets
Vacuuming efficiently eliminates existing larvae as well as hair and lint that may harbor recurrent infestations. Vacuum the baseboards, beneath furniture, under closets, along carpet edges, and any other dark places where clothes moths like to feed. Cleaning an infected region using a vacuum? Because the contents of the bag may contain eggs, larvae, or adult moths, dispose of them right away.
Spray or Diffuse Cedar Oil
Moths detest the smell of cedar oil, also known as cedarwood oil, an essential oil extracted from conifer trees. Cedar oil can be poured into a diffuser or sprayed into the closet’s corners. Lavender, rosemary, cloves, bay leaves, and thyme are further herbs that repel moths. They will also be repelled by essential oils that include these scents, or you can combine them in a mesh bag to create a homemade potpourri. After that, put it in your drawer.
Make a Pest Control Service Call
These tactics may not be sufficient if your moth infestation is severe. Then you should hire an exterminator. Pheromone-based moth traps may be used by an environmentally conscious pest management company to identify the infestation’s location and create a treatment strategy.
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