The warmer weather is welcomed by the majority of us. After a long, cold winter, the sight of blue skies and the temperatures reaching the teens can lift those winter blues. But rising mercury brings its own problems, namely the flutter of papery wings coming to infest our wardrobes and nibble on our treasured garments. Take action and safeguard your cashmere collection by following these steps.
HOW TO GET RID OF CLOTHES MOTHS
4. Check your items
Carefully, examine all your items for damage. If you do find it, don’t despair just yet. Many small holes can be repaired, even in fabrics such as cashmere - we recommend sending damaged cashmere knits to the Love Cashmere Care Service in Hawick, Scotland. Check if repairs can be made before tossing out.
Next, wash or dry clean all items that were stored inside, including upholstery and curtains. Sub-zero temperatures can also kill larvae - store clothes in plastic bags and freeze them for 48 hours before washing.
When you return them to your wardrobe, take preventative steps. During the summer months, rotate your most delicate winter knits and cashmere into high-quality garment bags or boxes - remember to line with anti-moth paper. We’ll talk more about deterrents next, but as a first step, swap plastic hangers for those made of cedarwood. Not only do they allow your clothes to hang better, but they naturally discourage pests.
5. Use natural deterrents
Of course, there are chemical sprays out there that kill and deter insects, but natural deterrents are better for both the environment and your clothes. Lavender sachets and cedar balls are great alternatives to mothballs, but don’t allow them to touch your clothes, as they can leak oils and stain. You can also invest in anti-moth paper to line your drawers and storage boxes, as the warmer months approach.
6. Vet new additions thoroughly
If you are trying to adopt more sustainable shopping habits, you may introduce some second-hand or vintage pieces. Freeze-treat or clean these pieces before slotting them into your rotation, and have true vintage pieces dry-cleaned first, as they can often carry unwanted visitors. Unfortunately, clothes moths can reinfest if you are not careful. Every year - when temperatures start to rise - be vigilant about the environment in which your clothes live. Keep rooms and wardrobes well-ventilated, and regularly inspect your clothes for holes or signs of damage. With the right level of care and attention - including proper washing, storage and preventative measures - you shouldn’t have to worry about these winged fiends too often.
7. When all else fails, fumigate
Unfortunately, you may find that a clothes moth infestation withstands all your attempts to overcome, and you may need to turn to a professional help to fumigate your home. It may sound like overkill but an infestation of clothes moths can cause upwards of thousands of pounds worth of damage depending on the pieces in your wardrobe. If you value your clothes, you’ll find that professional fumigation is well worth the investment.
How long is the clothes moth life cycle?
A clothes moth’s life cycle is between 65 and 90 days, and female moths can lay up to 300 eggs each during this time. So if you spot the early signs of an infestation, it can escalate out of control very quickly. Adult moths don’t have the ability to eat, so it’s the larvae that will feast on the natural fibres in your wardrobe. Moth eggs can hatch after anything between four days and three weeks depending on the time of year - the hatching process is faster in summer.
Is it possible to get rid of clothes moths?
Yes, absolutely! However you will need dedication, commitment - and sometimes professional help - to overcome even the smallest of infestations. Once you have got on top of the problem, it’s essential that you take preventative steps to safeguard your wardrobe against further infestations. Unfortunately clothes moths can enter through the smallest gaps in your home’s structure and even when you bring new pieces home, so problems can still reoccur.
How to know if you have a clothes moths infestation
The first signs of a clothes moth infestation usually appear in the form of small holes in your silk or knit garments. If you see a moth fluttering around your home, don’t panic just yet, as it may not necessarily be a clothes moth. The ones that like to feast on your cashmere pieces - Tinea pellionella - are much smaller and harder to see.
Clothes moths are golden in colour and prefer dark and quiet spaces, so you’re unlikely to see them around your home. If you do spot them, it’s likely an indication of a large infestation. Before you see the creatures themselves, you might spot webbing on your clothes left behind by the larvae.
If you find little evidence of an infestation but are still concerned, one option is to place Pheromone super sticky glue traps around your home. These discrete boxes contain a glue-board to attract the males - and remove them from the reproduction cycle - by attracting them to stick to the glue-board.
You may spot empty larvae cases where they hatched; this can indicate the area of your home where an infestation is concentrated.
