How to get rid of clothes moths

There are two different types of clothes moth, the webbing clothes moth and case making clothes month. The webbing clothes moth larvae hides under layers of web like material when feeding. The webbing picks up droppings and pieces of fabric making it very hard to see. When they move to a new feeding site, they leave the webbing behind. In contrast the case-making clothes moth make themselves a case made of silk which they take with them wherever they go. Again these can be hard to spot as they also pick up debris, making them very well camouflaged. 

There is no particular clothes moth season, as the moths live indoors. However, temperature does impact the speed of development (and therefore the size of their appetite!), with warmer temperatures speeding up their life-cycle. As such you need to be on guard against clothes moths year round.

Prevention tips:

• Regularly vacuum all carpeted rooms, especially in undisturbed areas, such as under heavy furniture
• Move or inspect under heavy furniture in carpeted rooms for signs of damage / insect activity
• At the end of each season, wash and store clothes that will not be used for a while in sealed bags or suitcases. If you are not sure your clothes are free of pests before storage, your clothes should be thoroughly washed in hot water / tumble dried / placed in sealed plastic bag for several hours (using the appropriate method for the fabric), before storing in a well sealed bag or container
• Hang PestXpert Total Moth Control cartridges in wardrobes to eliminate any adult moths
• Drawers can be treated with an insecticide spray labeled for clothes moths, such as PestXpert Pro-Spray Flying. Make sure clothes are removed before spraying and wait until the treatment has dried before returning the clothes.

What should you do if you have an infestation?

• Inspect all wardrobes, drawers, carpeted rooms and curtains for signs of insect activity and damage.
• Remove clothes and treat all affected areas with an insecticide spray (aerosol or pump pack), focusing on areas where damage was noted and under furniture in carpeted rooms.
• Wardrobes and drawers should be treated as per prevention tips.
• Clothes from infested areas that are not damaged and you want to keep, should be placed in a sealed plastic bag and placed in the sun for 1-2 hours. The heat will kill the larvae and eggs. The clothes can then be washed. Delicate clothing should be inspected individually rather than being exposed to heat.
• Hang PestXpert Total Moth Control cartridges in wardrobes to eliminate any adult moths still present and provide continuous protection for up to 3 months.

Of course the holes in your clothes may not be caused by clothes moths. Silverfish or even carpet beetles are also happy to feast in your wardrobe! But don’t worry, these treatment steps will work on these critters as well. But if you regularly apply the prevention tips, favourite clothes should re-appear for the new season as “good as new”!

For information on clothes moths products please visit our clothes moth page on our website.