How to get rid of moths in your home this summer
Bugs and insects are rife over the warmer months, invading our gardens, homes and causing mischief.
Moths in particular are making a name for themselves this year, as they invade our homes in the warmer temperatures.
Moths are not only pests, but can also cause damage to your clothing or silky webbing in fabric seams.
Just like carpet moths, clothes moth larvae is attracted to wool, cashmere, silk, leather and felt, and feed on the keratin inside them.
That’s why it’s crucial to have proper garment storage in your wardrobe.
Discover how to get rid of them and prevent their return with our expert advice below.
What are the signs you have moths in the home?
Although small in size, moths can cause significant damage to your home, as Kara Gammell, home insurance expert at MoneySuperMarket explains.
“Despite the significant damage moths can cause, most standard home insurance policies won’t cover it.
“This is because insurers generally classify moth damage as preventable wear and tear or neglect of maintenance, rather than an unexpected event.
“The signs you have moths can be as simple as small, irregular holes in clothing, fine webbing in the corners of your wardrobes, and irregular bare patches on carpets and rugs.”
Daniel adds: “Many people assume that seeing an adult moth is the biggest sign you have an infestation, but in reality it’s the larvae causing the damage.
‘By the time you’ve noticed several moths flying around, eggs may have already been laid.
“You may also spot tiny, creamy, white larvae, silky webbing, shed skins or small grain-like droppings inside wardrobes, drawers or around carpets.
“Acting quickly is crucial because what starts as a handful of moths can develop into a much larger infestation if left untreated.”
Why are moths appearing so frequently?
During the warmer months, we are more likely to notice and see more moths around, this is because they are more active in the hot weather, due to spring and summer being their peak breeding season.
Daniel Steward, Managing Director at Shield Pest Control explains: “At this time of year, moths are searching for suitable places to lay their eggs, while the warmer conditions also speed up their life cycle.”
This is quite the combination, often culminating in a large quantity of moths gathering in a small area.
Daniel adds: “Many moths enter through open windows and doors, particularly on warm evenings when they’re attracted to indoor lighting.
“Others can be brought into the home unknowingly on second-hand clothing, soft furnishings or even food packaging.
“Once inside, they tend to seek out dark, undisturbed areas such as wardrobes, airing cupboards, lofts and kitchen cupboards where they can lay eggs unnoticed.
“It’s also worth remembering that clothes moths aren’t attracted to the clothes themselves as much as they are to natural fibres. Especially those containing traces of sweat, skin cells or food residue. That’s why even garments which appear clean can sometimes become a target if they’ve been worn before being stored away.”
How can I get rid of moths?
Now that you have the moths, how can we banish them from our homes?
Daniel comments: “The most important step is identifying whether you’re dealing with clothes moths or food moths, as the treatment is slightly different.
“Once you’ve found the source, remove and inspect any affected items immediately.
“For clothes moths, wash garments on the hottest temperature that the care label will allow, or have delicate items professionally dry cleaned.
Thoroughly vacuum wardrobes, carpets, skirting boards and underneath furniture, paying particular attention to cracks and edges where eggs and larvae often hide.
Dispose of the vacuum contents immediately afterwards.
“If you’re dealing with food moths, throw away any contaminated dried goods such as flour, cereals, rice or pet food. Then, give cupboards a deep clean before replacing food in airtight containers.
“Lavender sachets and cedar wood can help discourage moths from settling, but they won’t solve an established infestation.
“If moths continue to reappear or the problem is widespread, it’s worth seeking advice from a professional pest control specialist, as treatments can target hidden eggs and larvae that are difficult for you to reaxch yourself.”
How can I prevent moths returning?
Once you’ve got rid of a moth problem, it’s only natural that you want to ensure your methods have longevity so you won’t have to deal with this again.
Prevention tactics are usually about making your home less attractive to moths in the first place.
Daniel explains, “Regular vacuuming is one of the most effective things you can do because it removes eggs before they have a chance to hatch.
“Focus on wardrobes, carpet edges, underneath furniture and along skirting boards where eggs are often hidden.
“Always clean clothes before storing them away for long periods, especially woolens and other natural fibres.
“Even small traces of perspiration or skin cells can attract clothes moths.
“Keeping wardrobes and storage areas clean, dry and well-ventilated also makes them far less appealing for egg laying.
“Store dried food in sealed containers, avoid leaving cupboards cluttered and, where possible, keep windows closed or use insect screens on warm evenings when moths are most active around lights.
“Natural deterrents such as lavender, cedar wood and cedar oil can be useful as part of overall prevention strategy.
“Although, good housekeeping and regular cleaning is the most effective long-term defence.”
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