When dealing with a clothes moth infestation, it’s important to use a combination of methods rather than relying on just one. The severity of the infestation will determine the steps you need to take. Here’s a guide on how to get rid of moths in your home.
INVESTIGATE
If you suspect a clothes moth infestation, it’s worth investigating further. Check your wardrobe and soft furnishings for evidence such as small holes and white cobweb-like strands. Pay special attention to clothes made of natural fibers like cashmere, wool, and silk. Inspect them carefully for signs of moth infestation. Don’t forget to check the underside of wool rugs, edges of carpets, sofa backs, and curtains.
TIP – Moths are attracted to bodily secretions and skin cells, so check areas like collars, cuffs, armpits, crotches, and pockets. When inspecting soft furnishings, pay attention to pleats, creases, and hidden areas.
MONITOR CLOTHES MOTH NUMBERS
If you find minimal evidence but are still concerned, use a moth trap box. This discreet box contains a glue-board infused with female clothes moth pheromones. Male moths are attracted to the box and get stuck on the glue-board. Replace the pheromone refill every 3 months.
If you catch 1 or 2 moths per week, it indicates a light infestation. Consider carrying out a deep clean, storing your clothes properly, and monitoring the moth trap box for any increase in numbers. If the box fills up within 1 or 2 weeks, take immediate action.
TIP – Place the moth trap box in dark areas preferred by moths, such as under wardrobes and beds or behind bedside tables. Do not put it inside a wardrobe or cupboard.
CLEAN & DISCARD
Once you’ve found evidence of moths, perform a deep clean. Start by emptying your wardrobe or drawers and washing or dry cleaning the items as necessary. Vacuum the inside of the wardrobe, paying attention to gaps, cracks, and crevices. Use soap and water to clean it thoroughly. Then, clean the entire room by vacuuming to remove dust. Pay special attention to carpet edges, furniture undersides, skirting boards, and hidden areas like the tops of curtain poles. You may need to move furniture to vacuum underneath. Send soft furnishings like curtains and cushion covers for dry cleaning.
TIP – If the infestation is severe in soft furnishings like sofas and footstools, and the filling is animal-based, consider discarding them to prevent re-infestation. Alternatively, treat them with Chrysanthemum Moth Spray and monitor closely.
STORE CLOTHES CORRECTLY
Only put clean clothes back in the wardrobe. Even worn clothes can attract moths due to skin cells and food residues. Store out-of-season clothes and coats in moth-proof storage bags for both folded and hanging items.
USE MOTH DETERRENTS
After the deep clean, prevent moths from returning by using products with natural essential oil ingredients. These products repel moths while providing a pleasant aroma for humans. Hang moth-repelling sachets in the wardrobe and place anti-moth drawer sachets among folded items. Use insect-repelling room diffusers and a natural anti-moth linen spray for rooms and soft furnishings.
TIP – Replace scented sachets every 6 months and spritz the linen spray once a week to maintain protection.
ELIMINATE CLOTHES MOTHS
For an instant knockdown of a large infestation, use chrysanthemum killer moth spray. This spray contains natural pyrethrum, which kills adult moths, larvae, and eggs. Spray the inside of wardrobes during the deep clean and treat whole rooms, paying attention to carpets and curtains.
TIP – Treating a room with chrysanthemum moth spray takes about 8 hours, so plan accordingly. Start early in the morning and follow the instructions on the label.
For a long-term solution, use the moth decoy. This product disrupts the mating cycle and is discreetly placed in each room. The tablet is made of compressed wax powder infused with female moth pheromones. When male moths land on the tablet, they become confused and unable to find a mate. They also attract other male moths, breaking the mating cycle. With reduced mating, fewer eggs are laid, and the population eventually decreases over generations.
TIP – If your rooms are large enough, use The Moth Decoy in conjunction with the Moth Box. Place them at least 5 meters apart. Use the Moth Box to monitor the reduction in moths over the long term.
NEED HELP?
As a quick recap, here are the products you’ll need to get rid of moths:
- Chrysanthemum Moth Spray – kills moths
- Moth Trap Box – kills male moths and monitors infestation
- The Moth Decoy – confuses male moths and interrupts the lifecycle
- Hanging Sachets – repel moths in the wardrobe
- Drawer Sachets – repel moths among folded items
- Room Diffusers – repel moths from rooms
- Linen Spray – repel moths from soft furnishings