Clothes moths can cause considerable damage. It is therefore important to recognize and combat them as early as possible. But how does it work? Here you can find simple solutions.
Recognize clothes moths
The easiest way to identify an infestation with clothes moths or their larvae is to regularly check clothes. It is primarily natural materials of animal origin that attract the pests.
These include, for example:
- Down and feathers
- Skins
- leather
- fur
- silk
- Wool
Clothing and shoes as well as home textiles and books can therefore be affected. The damage caused by the moths is characterized by small, round or irregular holes in the material. These arise because the larvae feed on the keratin it contains. A visual inspection is therefore sufficient to determine an infestation. The adult clothes moths can also attract attention, for example when they fly to a light source or are startled when a cupboard is opened.
Eggs and larvae
Identifying the eggs and larvae is more difficult, but important for long-term control of the moths. Because it is not the adult insects that cause the damage. You just lay the nest and lay the eggs. In addition, they do not consume any further food after development is complete. Their lifespan after the larval stage is only about 18 days. A nest with 200
up to 250 eggs are preferably deposited in an area that meets the following criteria:- dark
- dry
- undisturbed
- warm
These include, for example:
- Spine
- Cracks in upholstered furniture
- cabinets
- Carpets
- Chests
- folded blankets or fabrics
The real culprits are the moth larvae, which hatch from the eggs in the nest after about two weeks at room temperature. Due to their small size and the inconspicuous, light yellowish-brownish color, these are difficult to recognize. However, white, thin threads that are reminiscent of cobwebs are a clear indication of an infestation. They are called moth webs.
control
In order for the infestation to be recognized, a very thorough procedure is required. The following tips can help:
Examine individually
It is important to check all items of clothing individually in order to find the small clutches and, if necessary, web of moths or even larvae. Insides, folds, and folded pieces are common locations.
Search in niches
Cracks in upholstered furniture, rolled up carpets and books that are seldom opened
as well as the farthest corner of the closet are popular places.Use pheromone traps
The adult moths can be caught with special pheromone traps for these moths. Egg-laying cannot be avoided in every case, but the infestation with the six to ten millimeter large insects can be determined with certainty. This variant is particularly recommended when regular checks at short intervals are not possible.
Check regularly
Due to the rapid and numerous multiplication, everything should be checked as often as possible. This is especially true if an infestation has already occurred.
Control by parasitic wasps
A particularly simple variant of combating clothes moths is the use of parasitic wasps or their moth larvae. They attack the harmful insects and feed on them.
The advantages are:
- the animals die as soon as there is no longer any source of food available
- simple application
- low cost
- Easily available in stores and can be ordered online
- Parasitic wasps do not pose a threat to other living beings or textiles
- small effort
Thorough cleaning should take place after the fight. This applies to both the textiles and the containers in which they are stored and the environment.
Vacuum cleaners, disinfectants and hygienic washers, for example, are well suited for this purpose. The contents of the vacuum bag or dust container should be disposed of immediately. Otherwise, the moths could spread again.
prevention
As always with moths, prevention is better than cure or, in this case, control. On the one hand, odorants and, on the other hand, appropriate storage are crucial for this. Thorough cleaning and good order are also useful.
Odor means for prevention
Both in the prevention and in the control are repellent scents for the moths.
lavender
Dried lavender in sachets or the essential oil of the plant on towels
dripped can be put in the closet with the laundry.Mothballs
These balls are hung in the wardrobe, for example, or placed between layers of textiles and repel insects. However, the smell is also often perceived as unpleasant by people.
cedar
Clothes hangers, discs, balls and shavings made of cedar wood not only spread a pleasant scent, but also effectively repel moths.
Tip: There are also odorless products on the market, such as Aeroxon moth repellent. These are laid out or hung in endangered areas and are quickly effective.
Adapted storage
If clothes, shoes or other textiles are not needed for a longer period of time, it makes sense to store them accordingly. For example, bags or pouches in which a vacuum can be created are favorable. Among other things, this works with:
- Special foil and a vacuum sealer
- Plastic bags from which the air can be rolled or squeezed out
- through special bags with a vacuum cleaner
Tip: Alternatively, boxes and chests that are as airtight as possible can be used to protect primarily materials of animal origin.
Cleaning and order
Moths that target keratin and thus shoes, clothing and other materials prefer undisturbed areas. Regular cleaning interrupts this calm and, if necessary, even removes an existing nest in the corner of the cupboard or on the carpet.
Cleaning is easier when there is order and basic cleanliness. Textiles - especially of animal origin - should be washed or dry-cleaned before storage. This removes hair and skin cells and also changes the smell. This means that there is less attraction for the moths.
Tidy stacks also make it possible to quickly check the cabinet and wipe it out if necessary.
