How to Get Rid of Moths Before They Get Rid of Your Wardrobe

Meet the Pest

A moth is an innocent looking pest but can wreak a level of disaster that you would never expect out of such a small insect. Moths - and even the caterpillars of moths - can be pests that drive serious damage, especially to forests, crops and even natural fibers commonly found in clothes such as silks, wools and cottons. Some people might mistake a moth for a butterfly because of the large wings of some species. The moth is in fact a member of the butterfly family, but while butterflies might be embraced and even collected by individuals, understanding how to get rid of moths is typically the only thing people are concerned about. Most moth species are white, gray and sometimes brown. The moth develops similar to a butterfly by originating in a larva stage and emerging from a cocoon. Moths also happen to be a favorite food source for bats.

Bed & Breakfast

For anyone wanting to know how to get rid of moths, it tends to begin with understanding how they enter your home in the first place. One of the many ways homes can become invaded with moths is a hole in a window or door screen. Moths are very attracted to light sources and suddenly, a small hole in a screen seems like a tunnel to a direct light source for moths. The light source outside a door can be like a magnet for moths, and many find themselves inside your home in a flash when the door is opened. The preferred food source of a moth is natural fibers. Consequently, a moth loves closets full of cotton shirts, expensive silks and favorite wool sweaters. It is actually the larva of a moth that is responsible for consuming clothing fibers. If a homeowner does not quickly get a moth infestation under control, the risk of extensive trouble where he or she would not expect it can occur. Nothing is worse than pulling out the thing you really wanted to wear, only to find it reconfigured by a moth.

Quit Bugging Me!

One of the most frustrating aspects about moths is how resistant they are to various types of pesticides. Understanding how to get rid of moths is especially tricky because typically, the problem is inside a home in a confined area such as an attic or closet. A traditional option for a moth problem is mothballs, which are typically small, white, marble-shaped balls containing the chemical naphthalene. The chemical has been shown to be an effective solution for deterring moths. Using mothballs as a home remedy for exterminating moths has some questionable health risks to humans and pets. It is also sometimes too strange for small hands and mouths of children to resist -- a definite drawback. Additionally, the odor can seem offensive. (There’s a reason colognes and perfumes don’t come in a mothball scent!) The solution can work for an initial problem, but it isn’t a preferred preventive measure for the long term. Some of the more alternative ways for getting rid of moths involve using natural deterrents that moths find offensive such as lavender. Burning lavender oils or utilizing lavender sachets can be a more aromatic option for controlling moths than mothballs. Freezing the clothing you have found laden with moth holes is also a method that has been known to kill moth larvae.

Good Riddance

Knowing how to get rid of moths long-term will take a bit more than a box of mothballs. In addition to being attracted to light and natural fibers, moths are actually repelled by natural woods such as juniper and cedar. One way that homeowners can protect clothing or fabrics that are particularly special to them is by storing them in a cedar chest, which is typically made entirely of cedar wood. A cedar closet is also a solution and generally involves taking an existing closet and lining it with cedar panels or building an entire closet unit out of cedar wood. There are several different do-it-yourself pest control methods for getting rid of moths depending on the depth of a moth problem. A quick toss into the freezer of any fabric showing signs of moth damage will help to eliminate the source of moths within your home. There are other precautions that can help, such as turning the porch light off as you exit your house to prevent moths from entering as soon as you open the door. Longer term solutions for integrating cedar wood into your closet storage areas may seem costly; however, replacing your wardrobe can also prove to be pretty expensive so the closet may easily pay for itself.