Clothes Moths: How to Protect Your Wardrobe

The clothes moths are a secret danger that is hiding in your storage spaces and in your closets all over America. Homeowners can be concerned with them because of their ability to destroy favourite clothes, particularly those made in natural fibres. Did you ever ask yourself the question: Do moths eat clothes? Or do you find strange holes in your beloved sweater, or are you wondering what you can do to help prevent the infestation? Then this guide will give you the real answers and practical tips that will help you in this situation, and you will find that it is specific to the American audience.

Do Moths Eat Clothes?

Many people ask this common question: Do moths eat clothes? As this question may come to mind the when people see their clothes in bad condition. The thing is that adult clothes moths, the tiny golden or brownish moths that you may observe flying around discreetly, do not feed on clothes. Rather, it is their larvae that are the guilty parties. These are the cream-colored and caterpillar-like tiny larvae that chew on clothes, carpets, cushions, etc. The question Do moths eat clothes has an actual answer of no, but their larvae do.

The larvae of clothes moths prefer animal fibres that are keratin-base, e.g.:

• Wool
• Fur
• Silk
• Cashmere
• Feathers
• Leather

In spite of the fact that the clothes moth rarely attacks such synthetic materials as polyester or acrylic, an attack may be made on mixed or blended fabrics, especially those that are stained with sweat or oils and food residue. This is the reason why it is quite essential to clean and take care of your clothes in order to maintain them in a perfect state.

Where Do Clothes Moths Breed?

Clothes moths like dark and silent places. Pantry moths prefer the hustle and bustle of the house, whereas clothing moths prefer the quiet and distraction-free environment where they eggs and young ones will not disturbe as much. Where, then, does the cloth moth breed? The response is obvious: deep inside cupboards, wardrobes, drawers, storage boxes and even under furniture.

A cluster of sticky eggs of female clothes moths is laid and hidden in the folds and seams of the garments, under the bed, or in the thick carpet pile. These eggs are not easily visible but turn out to be the beginning of infestations. Clothes moths normally breed in:

• The closet’s back corners
• The insides of storage trunks or garment bags
• Black basements or attics
• Under pieces of furniture and in its cushions
• Boxes and drawers, which were seldom use
• In and underneath carpets and rugs that are seldom cleane

Humidity, moisture, warmth, and organic material like pet hair, dust or food spillages all present an ideal breeding environment to the common clothes moth and its relatives.

Signs of Clothes Moths

You may save your expensive clothes by detecting it early. Being aware of the warning signs of clothes moths will assist you in dealing with the situation before your favourite items are destroy. The following are the most indicative signs of clothes moths to look out:

• The holey or worn-through places in wool and other animal fibre cloth tend to be random and discontinuous
• Silky tunnels, webbing or patches stuck to fabrics, carpets or the corners of drawers
• The casemaking clothing moth larvae live in the portable houses of small tubes or cases attached to clothing
• Sandy granules or dark specks (droppings of larvae) on shelves or in boxes used to store foodstuffs
• Too much fur on the floor, worn-down cloth or piles of rugs and furniture

Adult moths suddenly flitting away when you disturb stored items (though, of course, adults feed on nothing, but seeing them is an indication that a breeding population is in the process)

Most of the destruction is done in the places where the clothes moths feel most secure, that is, in the seams, the collars, under the cuffs or the fringe of carpets behind furniture. The presence of discarded pupal skins or live larvae is also a sure indication that you have an infestation.

Common Clothes Moth Species

Several clothes moths are damaging in American households, the most infamous being the common clothes moth. The worst offenders are as follows :

1. The Web Clothes Moth: This small golden moth, commonly known as the common clothes moth, is widely spread in homes in the United States. It is mainly damaging in its larvae, which often spin light webs and feed intensely on natural fibres.
2. Casemaking Clothes Moth: Almost the same size, except a bit browner, these larvae dwell inside portable cases made of silk and fibres they gather. As they feed their cases, stick to the fabric.
3. Other Relatives: Other relatives include the tapestry or carpet moth and brown-dotted clothes moth, although these are not as common.

All these moths are indoors throughout the year, most likely in areas that are not often visited. The adult clothing moths have poor flight ability and do not prefer light and thus the infestations are usually not noticed till severe damages occur.

How to Protect Your Home from Clothes Moths

The most effective way how to get rid clothes moths is preventive action, which keeps your clothes safe. What you can do is the following:

1. Daily Cleaning: Vacuum closets, carpet edges and behind furniture. Clean the clothing by laundering or by dry-cleaning at regular and, especially before storage.
2. Check and Repeat Clothes: Clothes which are regularly worn by people have less chance of being affected.
3. Protective Storage: Keep the extra clothes in the best and air-tight containers. Also use the essential oils like cedar blocks, lavender and etc to avoid the clothes moths.
4. Control Environment: Hospitable conditions are reduce by cutting down humidity and the moisture content in areas of storage.
5. Dispose of or Treat Infested Items: During cleaning, it may be necessary to treat or dispose of dangerous items professionally to eliminate the spread.
6. Monitor: Skin or traps to watch out for the signs of clothes moths, or do frequent checks.

Conclusion

Clothes moths are not just a bother; each one is a major foe to your clothing and house textiles. Living to the realization that it have to be the adults but the larvae that respond to the question, Do moths eat clothes?, being able to detect the thin line evidence of clothes moth with its perfect knowledge of how and where the common clothes moth breeds, it is the watchful eye and the proactive protection that will help you to keep your wardrobe intact.

Trust Saynopest to take care of your house and offer practical advice and contacts to professional pest control services in the United States. Remaining informed and ready, you will make sure that clothes moths won’t have a chance.