Do-It-Yourself Clothing Moth Control

Preventing Clothing Moth Infestations

There is much that you can do to prevent clothing moths from becoming established in your home and to protect your clothing and other textile products from moth damage. For example:

The most important preventative action is to practice good sanitation. Clothing shouled be cleaned promptly after being worn.
Promptly dry-clean, wash, or shampoo carpeting, upholstered furniture, tapestries, and other textile items, as appropriate to the fabric, if they become soiled; and on a regular basis even if they are not.
Use commercial cold storage to safeguard furs and other valuable items during seasons when they are not being worn.
Old-fashioned moth balls can also help prevent infestation of stored clothing, but these products have a very distinct odor (okay, let's be frank about it: They stink) that will permeate the clothes until they are washed. Always read and follow the label instructions when using any pesticide.
Moth-Away Sachets are a more natural, herbal alternative to conventional moth repellents, with a kinder, gentler aroma. They can help protect clothing from moth attacks for as long as 3 - 4 months.
Many dry cleaners (and some PCO's) offer "moth-proofing" services, which usually consist of a preventative application of an insecticide directly to the textile item.
Store human and pet foods securely in insect-proof containers that can be tightly closed, and promptly clean up any spillage.

Treatment of Existing Clothes Moth Infestations

Once clothing moths become established, they can be very difficult to control. Due to the difficulty in treatment and the potential for further damage to clothing and other textile products, you may want to consider calling a professional pest control operator.

If you want to try it yourself, however, following the following guidelines will increase your chances of success:

Examine all clothing, carpeting, tapestries, and other textile items carefully for any sign of moth infestation. Wash, dry-clean, or vacuum and shampoo, as appropriate for the type of item.
Place all susceptible out-of-season clothing items in cold storage until they are are needed (or at least until the moth problem has cleared up).
Closely examine the interiors of closets where clothing is stored for any signs of larvae or pupae, and physically remove them. (A putty knife works well for this.) Treat the insides of the cabinets, especially the corners, cracks, and crevices, with an aerosol insecticide labeled for interior residential use against moths.
Hang one or two clothing moth pheromone traps several feet outside of each closet (for example, in bedrooms or hallways, but not in the closets themselves). Check the traps frequently for moths and keep track of their numbers. If you don't see a reduction in the number of moths being caught beginning within two weeks, then consider calling a professional.
When returning clothing to the closets, use moth balls, moth flakes, or Moth-Away Herbal Sachets to help repel moths. Always read, understand, and follow the label instructions when using any pesticide (even herbal ones).
You can find a variety of moth control products and other pest control solutions at our Amazon Pest Control Product aStore.