Wool moths or clothes moths can be such a nuisance, especially when you’re not sure about the source or how to get rid of them, for that matter. So, where do we go from here?
Before we discuss some of the remedies for protection against wool months, we must first understand how to prevent infestations in the first place.
Prevention better than cure: How to prevent wool moth infestations
When it comes to dealing with a nuisance like wool moths, prevention is key. Here’s what you can do to protect your wool clothes and blankets:
Inspect regularly – Make it a habit to inspect all your woolen items. Pay special attention to folds, corners, and crevices as this is where moths typically lay eggs. The earlier you detect an infestation, the more you can curb widespread damage.
Use clothing regularly – Moths are far less likely to attack frequently displaced or disturbed areas; the more you use and air out your woolen clothes, the better.
Check temperature and humidity levels – Lower temperatures along with lower humidity levels will always make it difficult for moths to thrive as they prefer warm and humid conditions.
Maintain cleanliness – Keeping storage spaces and areas clean as well as free of food particles or debris will keep moths at bay. You can use a small crevice tool to regularly clean areas around corners and boards, as well as under sofa cushions and furniture. Also, keep your food storage cupboards as clean and sanitised as possible.
What to do in case of an infestation and how to protect yourself in future
Discovering signs of a wool moth infestation is usually an unpleasant experience. But if you act quickly, you can minimise the damage. Once you do that, you can follow the above tips for prevention in future.
Quarantine – The first thing you want to do is quarantine the infested area or items to prevent further spread. You can do this by putting the affected clothes, carpets, sofas, etc. in a separate room.
Vacuum – Vacuuming is your friend! Thoroughly and vigorously vacuum the infested areas, and pay special attention to corners as well as crevices. Afterwards, don’t attempt to clean out the vacuum bag but rather dispose of it outside your home.
Freeze – If you can, place all the infested items (only possible for infestations in clothes) in a sealed plastic bag or bags, then freeze them for a week. This is necessary for killing the moth larvae – the source or mothership – as it cannot survive in extremely cold temperatures.
Professional cleaners – Seek help from a professional cleaning company that specialises in pest infestations, control, and cleaning. However, this is only a necessary step if your items are heavily infested or items of value such as large rugs, carpets, and sofas, have been heavily infested.
Additional steps you can take to protect against wool moths
While wool moths tend to be a problem all year round, they are typically more problematic in spring as that’s when moth activity surges.
The above steps will certainly help you deal with a moth infestation although being armed with extra knowhow can help you better understand why infestations take place to begin with.
Understand the different types of moths
You shouldn’t have to wait around to find out if you have holes in your clothes due to a moth infestation. The mere presence of certain kinds of moths in your home can be a telltale warning sign to take action.
The brown house moth, for example, with its bronze, black-flecked wings or the common clothes moth with paler, beige wings, can both lay eggs easily throughout your home, with the larvae that hatches from them feasting on your fibres in no time.
These two types take a keen liking towards specific animal fibres, including wool.
Track them down and take action
Moths aren’t just attracted to light, contrary to popular belief, because they actually prefer dark, hard-to-reach, and out-of-sight places to lay eggs. The back of your wardrobe or seldom opened closed and drawers are all great hiding places.
Take a look at dark and less frequently visited or accessed spots to see if there are signs of creamy white larvae with a brown head. You might also detect a musty smell, particularly if the larvae are present in larger numbers.
Check underneath rugs and also underneath or behind furniture which doesn’t get moved around a lot – these tend to be hotspots for moth activity. Also check your attic and basement, and if these happen to be dark, low-footfall areas, then they are ideal breeding grounds for moths.
Thorough dusting, mopping, and vacuum cleaning each room is a great action to start with. Wash your clothes at the highest manufacturer-recommended temperature possible and take ‘dry clean only’ items to the cleaner immediately.
You can also safely treat any areas you suspect to be affected with a mild moth spray.
Next steps to prevent a future infestation
Do you remember Dr. Ian Malcolm’s words from Jurassic Park? They were something along the lines of life breaking free, expanding to new territories, and crashing through barriers in order to do what nature programmed them to do.
For optimal results, you need to be vigilant against infestations:
- Wash garments thoroughly before putting them away
- Keep your wardrobes and drawers well-ventilated
- Always tuck away clothes carefully, keeping freshly laundered wool clothes in a vacuum storage bag until next winter
- Use a ‘safe’ moth repellent such as cedar wood rings
- Apply a little lavender essential oil to your carpets as it acts as a natural repellent – mix it with water and use in a spray bottle
Closing thoughts
Wool moths’ larvae are not to be taken lightly as they can wreak a lot of havoc on all kinds of woollen possessions, ruining them even permanently, in some cases.
Don’t worry though, follow the prevention tips above, and if you detect an infestation, you’ll know how to minimise the problem. As a last resort, never hesitate to contact pest control and cleaning professionals.
Further information:
https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/house-and-home/household-advice/a665191/the-best-pest-advice-clothes-moths/https://www.mothprevention.com/blogs/the-art-of-prevention/how-do-i-get-rid-of-clothes-moth-larvae-the-factshttps://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7435.html
