How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths: Tips and Tricks for a Pest-Free Closet
Looking for a way to get rid of clothes moths? When people are going through their belongings for spring cleaning, it’s a frequently asked concern. Clothes moths aren’t a pleasurable surprise to encounter while organizing, but there are things you can do to address the problem and avoid further damage. Keep an eye out for rips or tears in clothing or fabrics that have been stored in a dark location. Follow Sunrise Storage’s tips below on how to get rid of clothes moths and prevent them from finding their way into your storage unit.
How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths (in Home Storage & Storage Units)
Identify the Moths
Do you actually have clothes moths? If you notice a moth in your home, do not worry right away. Many moths that might find their way into your home are after plants, not your clothing. Only two moth species are a threat to your clothes: the casemaking clothes moth and the webbing clothes moth—both a yellow or gray color, about 1 cm long.
Next, look for holes. You will be able to identify a clothes moth by the web left behind on the material. The moths’ babies are actually the root of the problem, not the adult moths. They prefer dark, humid spaces and prefer to eat materials like wool, cashmere, and fur that come from animals.
Clean Your Clothes and Space
OK, so you’ve identified the clothes moths. Now what?
For materials that unfortunately were damaged past the point of repair, you should throw them away. Materials with only slight damages can be salvaged with a wash using warm water or dry cleaning. Always check the tags on your clothes before attempting to wash them.
You will also want to clean your storage space, whether that be a closet, attic, basement, or storage unit. Vacuum the area and immediately throw away the vacuum bag. If you are dealing with a carpeted space, it may also be worth it to steam clean the area for safe measures.
Learn to Prevent Future Clothes Moths
Now that you have gotten rid of the immediate issue, it is time to set up some precautions for the future. Pack your remaining clothing into sealed bins or bags. If you choose to use garment bags, tape up any potential hole spaces, like seams, for additional security and peace of mind.
Another option is to move your storage space around frequently—reorganizing, swapping items in and out, etc. These moths dislike movement and light, so do your best to keep your storage unit from becoming a dark, moist environment. Visiting your storage unit often will give you the opportunity to open up your storage unit to allow for ventilation.
Sunrise Storage in Orwigsburg PA
Now that you have a better understanding of how to get rid of clothes moths, let us help you find secure storage space for your clothing nearby. Sunrise Storage is your first choice for affordable storage units in Orwigsburg, PA. Choose from a variety of storage amenities, including convenient drive-up storage units, parking spaces for personal vehicles, and more! Additionally, for your security, all storage units are housed within a gated and fenced perimeter, with 24-hour security camera monitoring and secure keypad access. Feel secure storing your personal items at Sunrise Storage this year.
Call or email our facility today, or stop by in person to chat with the team of storage experts at Sunrise Storage in Orwigsburg! We are happy to answer your questions and help you find the perfect storage solution for your situation. Get started today!
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Tim Glasow
About the Author: Tim is the SEO Manager at Storage Asset Management in York, PA. He is a self-storage industry specialist who has written about everything from storage advice and helpful resources to industry trends. In his free time, Tim enjoys sampling craft beer and exploring the local music scene.
