How to Get Rid of Moths––Best Practices

How to Prevent Moths in Clothes and Get Rid of Them

Have you found your favorite sweater or wool jacket riddled with moth holes? Are you seeing moths fluttering around your home? You might be very surprised to know that major and well-regarded museums with important costume collections of vintage and historical clothing, have some of the same problems you are facing from moths and insect infestations. The moths you see in the air are flying happily as they are the hatched adults coming from the dangerous larvae (tiny white caterpillars) that have been eating your clothes.

Moth prevention articles abound, and this is one of them, but I want to take a new tack on an ongoing problem.

Why Trust Me?

Let’s talk about dust and the role it plays in moth infestations. This is a topic you probably have not spent much time thinking about and neither did I until I began researching moth and insect prevention 14 years ago when I launched The Butler’s Closet.

Having worked for Nina Ricci, as the head of the US perfume business, I had been lucky enough to have a collection of beautiful clothes––wool suits, wool coats, cashmere scarves, silk blouses and other precious items. I wanted to be able to prevent moth damage and protect them in the best way possible.

I began to read textile conservation articles and perused museum textile conservations websites, like that of the Metropolitan Museum of Art, in New York and the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.

Little did I know that these critters have a diet of dust and dine on it with gusto.

According to Michael F. Potter, Extension Entomologist University of Kentucky College of Agriculture, “Clothes moths are pests that can destroy fabric and other materials. They feed exclusively on animal fibers, especially wool, fur, silk, feathers, felt, and leather. These materials contain keratin, a fibrous protein that the worm-like larvae of the clothes moth can digest. (In nature, the larvae feed on the nesting materials or carcasses of birds and mammals.) Cotton and synthetic fabrics such as polyester and rayon are rarely attacked unless blended with wool, or heavily soiled with food stains or body oils. Serious infestations of clothes moths can develop undetected in dwellings, causing irreparable harm to vulnerable materials. “

While clothes moths primarily eat animal fibers and do not eat synthetic fibers, blended fibers that combine synthetics and plant fibers like cotton and linen can be attacked too.

Why Dust Plays a Role in Moth Infestations

Dust, everywhere in your home, is a breeding ground for moths. And dust in the closet, along with stains, perspiration and body oils creates a buffet of appetizing food for moths.

Dust contains sloughed off human skin cells, plant pollen, human or animal pet dander and fur––thank you Fido. Paper fibers, textile fibers and other dirt and materials found in the environment are part of the layers of dust that swirl in the air and settle on horizontal surfaces.

Dust mites are also part of household dust––they are tiny, close to invisible pests that live in your mattress, pillows and upholstered furniture. Dust comes in on your shoes, through your air-conditioner, through windows, on plants, or down through the chimney. Pollen, mold and bacteria can be found in dust and soil tracked in from the outside can contain body parts from other insects as well as particles of plastic and toxic minerals. These are dream ingredients for moth larvae dining.

This unappetizing mixture builds up in your home and in your closet. Dust particles sit on clothing in the closet and can build a crust of sharp particles that create damage. The dust, along with other stains, provides endless nourishment for hungry moth larvae:

While there are over a hundred types of moths, just two are the problem for animal textiles:

webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) and
the case making clothes moth (Tinea pellionella).

Adult moths (you see flying around) live just a few weeks and don’t eat. They exist to reproduce, and they lay 50 ––100 eggs in the process. The eggs hatch and the larvae begin searching for a source of food––animal fibers that contain the protein-rich substance they can digest––keratin . They thrive in dark, humid and undisturbed areas like the back of your closet, a damp basement or a humid attic.

You may remember an article in the New York Times that was published after the worst of the pandemic had subsided and employees were getting ready to return to their offices. Having lived in sweatpants for many months, people went back into their packed closets and pulled out their work wardrobes only to find them riddled with moth holes! The clothing had been left undisturbed for months and months and created a perfect breeding ground for feasting moth larvae.

How To Prevent Moth Infestations – Top 10 Tips

Moth larvae may have a life cycle that lasts for months, so inspecting your closets and your dresser drawers regularly is a must. How can you create a moth prevention environment? Here are my top tips gathered by extensive reading from respected sources and museum textile conservation articles noted below.

Clean, Clean, Clean your Clothes. Do not put any stained clothing back in your closet. Wash or dry clean any clothing that has been worn repeatedly and has a buildup of perspiration or body oils.

Practice Closet Hygiene ––A clothes closet is a micro-environment that is a breeding ground for moths. Edit your wardrobe regularly. Clothes packed tightly together create dark, humid environments that allow moths to thrive. Moving clothes around can shake the larvae off the piece and let it fall to the floor. If you find an infected item, wrap it in plastic so the moth eggs or moth larvae does not fly around the room or land on other clothes.

Regularly Clean Closets Drawers––Empty your closet and get the vacuum cleaner. Use the bigger attachments to vacuum the floors and walls and then follow up with the nozzle attachment to get into crevices. Make a solution of water with a little bleach and wipe down the walls after they have been vacuumed. Before putting your clean clothes back in your closet, take them into the bathroom and shake them over the bathtub to dislodge dust and any moth larvae which you can wash down the drain. Discard the vacuum bag immediately after you have vacuumed the closet even if you have not found any moth damage. Use the same method for the drawers in your dresser.

Discard vacuum bags––Bags that might contain moth larvae should be taken out of your home for disposal. Moth eggs can hatch quickly.

Dry clean moth damaged clothes––Dry cleaning will remove any remaining larvae. Wrap your damaged item in plastic before taking it to the clearer to avoid having moth larvae transferred to other clothing–-yours or another client’s.

Use heat to treat infested items––Washing items in very hot water will kill moths at all stages of life. Be sure the item can be washed safely. You can also put the infected item in a hot dryer for a tumble.

Empty your dirty laundry basket weekly––Leaving dirty clothes in a pile creates a breeding ground for moths.

Quarantine Vintage or Second-Hand Clothing Before Putting it in the Closet––Vintage clothing might be stained or covered with dust. Keep the garment segregated until you have washed it or sent it to the dry cleaner.

Freezing garments can kill clothes moth larvae––According to Cornell University Department of Entomology’s Insect Diagnostic Laboratory: “Place garments in cold storage where temperatures remain below 40° F. Larvae are inactive at temperatures below 40° F. Many people assume that freezing temperatures will control these insects – but not always so. Clothes moths have survived for long periods in unheated attics and barns in old furniture, clothing and blankets exposed to below freezing temperatures. Although lower temperatures slow down or put a temporary halt to their activities, the clothes moths are usually not directly killed by them. Freezing infested woolens can work to kill clothes moths if there is an abrupt change from warm (70° F; 21° C) to freezing (0° F; -18° C) and leaving the items for at least 72 hours once the material reaches 0° F.”

Use a Clothes Brush to Remove Dust before Putting Clothes Back in the Closet––Using a clothes brush is an excellent way to freshen and clean your clothes before and after you have worn them. Using a clothes brush will remove dust that has accumulated and will knock off any moth larvae that has been deposited. Be sure to take the piece into the bathroom and hold the item over the tub while brushing to make sure the dust can be washed down the drain. This way you can be sure no moth larvae go back into your closet.

Use Breathable Cotton Garment Shoulder Covers and Garment Bags

Plastic dry-cleaning bags are harmful. These are petroleum-based products and they out-gas. Their fumes accelerate fabric deterioration. They trap moisture and encourage mold and mildew––a perfect breeding ground for clothes moth larvae. Remove and discard all plastic dry-cleaning bags from your closet. Replace them with 100% cotton shoulder covers and breathable cotton garment bags.

Do Not Use Moth Balls––Moth balls are toxic to humans and pets. Discard them.

Conclusion

Preventing moth infestations requires a multi-pronged approach. By keeping your clothes clean, practicing good closet hygiene, and using the right storage solutions, you can significantly reduce the risk of moth damage. Remember, prevention is key!

What can you do right now?

Browse our selection of museum quality, breathable 100% chemical free Wardrobe Care Covers for safe and effective moth prevention.
Consider a breathable sweater bag with a tight zipper such as this Deluxe Cotton Storage Bag made from breathable cotton.
Add a high-quality English Horn Clothes Brush to your wardrobe care routine.
Contact us for personalized advice on moth prevention and garment care.

References:

Selvedge Magazine “The Hole Truth: The well worn problems of clothes moths and how to stop them” Eirlys Penn

The New York Times ” Moths Have Been Partying in Your Dark Closet. What Now? “ Chole Malle June 23, 2021

English Heritage “Understanding Clothes Moth Infestations.” Hilary Jarvis Assistant National Conservator, National Trust.

Cornell University Department of Entomology’s Insect Diagnostic Laboratory “Clothes Moths”

Home Comforts The Art & Science of Keeping House Cheryl Mendelson, Simon & Schuster 1999