How to Get Rid of Moths Effectively

Moths seem to be harmless creatures to humans but can cause a lot of damage to clothing and other materials. Knowing how to get rid of moths effectively can save you a headache and money.

The seemingly harmless moths are behind the damage to clothes, sweaters, fruits, and even leaves on your trees. These tiny little flying insects are a real problem in pantries and cupboards too.

But eradicating them from your closet or pantry is not very difficult. Follow these simple steps to keep these pests away from your clothes, fruits, and flowers in your garden.

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· How to Get Rid of Moths from Your Clothes ·

If moths infest your closet, it won’t be long before they start to eat away at your clothes. They are capable of devouring fabrics ranging from silk to wool to leather. When you start to notice unusual holes in your clothes, follow these simple measures to completely eradicate them from your wardrobe:

• Dry-Cleaning

The best way to start your moth extermination process is by dry-cleaning your clothes. Especially for items made of wool as these seem to be the preferred fabric for moths to devour. Also, this is essential if you are to going to store your clothing for a long period of time at the end of the season.

• Wash Fabrics in High Temperatures

Always wash your clothes in hot water with detergent. The temperature of the water should be 120 degrees Fahrenheit or above. Wash all clothes for at least 20-30 minutes for complete removal of moths.

Besides killing moths, extensively washing your clothes removes odors, perspiration, and food stains. This will make your clothes less attractive to any pests in general.

 

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Wash your clothes on a high temperature to effectively get rid of moths in all stages of their life cycle.

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• Brushing Clothes

This may be an old-fashioned way to get rid of moths, but it’s still effective. Hang your clothes and fabrics in bright sunlight, and brush them from top to bottom.

As caterpillars hate sunlight, they’ll leave in search of some shade. The constant brushing will destroy any eggs sticking to your garments. Keep your clothes in sunlight for several hours for complete removal.

• Essential Oils and Herbs

Instead of using chemical based items, you can use natural ingredients. Make sachets of dried rosemary, cloves, thyme, lavender or bay leaves. Simply hang them in your closet to keep moths away from your clothes. You can also use essential oils made up of these herbs. Just sprinkle them in your closet, on the walls, and doors.

• Cedar Wood

Moths hate cedar wood so a good option is to store your clothes in a cedar wood closet. You can also use cedar wood hangers to hang your clothes. If either of these is unavailable to you, trying using cedar balls or sticks. Put them in a sachet, and hang them in your closet.

• Mothballs

Putting mothballs in closets to get rid of moths in all stages is a tried, tested, and proven remedy against moths. But the chemicals in mothballs is extremely poisonous to kids, pets, and the elderly as well. So, always use mothballs with great caution. Be careful where you place them.

• Moth Traps

Several moth traps are available on the market. They effectively trap and kill moths without causing harm to kids or pets. These traps release pheromone chemicals to lure adult moths.

 

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Moth traps prevent eggs from reaching your closet or clothes and is much safer than mothballs.

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· How to Get Rid of Moths from Your Pantry ·

Besides clothes, moths can also get into your pantry. Not only are they a nuisance in the kitchen and pantry, but they can also contaminate your food. Following these few measures will help you in wiping out these pests from your kitchen:

• Throw Away Infested Food Immediately

If you spot food packages infested with even just a couple moths discard the entire package. Before you do though seal it in a plastic bag to contain the moths already in there.

Even if you spot some pieces of food that look alright, don’t try to save them. They make look fine from the outside, but chances are they’re housing small eggs or larvae.

• Clean The Pantry

1. Start by removing all food items, and inspect them to find traces of moths.
2. Dispose of any contaminated or damaged products.
3. Remove shelf liner paper, and seal them in a plastic bag before putting them in a trash bin. There’s good chance eggs or larvae will be sticking to them.
4. Properly vacuum cabinets, shelves, and the pantry, especially focusing on the corners. Vacuuming will suck away all the hidden eggs from the area.
5. Wash the pantry afterward because vacuuming alone won’t be enough. Thoroughly wash your pantry walls, doors, shelves, cabinets, and kitchen floor with hot water and soap.
6. After extensive cleaning, leave the area to dry properly.
7. Once the area is totally dry, place new shelf-liners and put clean and uncontaminated food back in the cabinets.

 

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Cleaning your pantry and kitchen to get rid of moths is an extensive and laborious task, but it’s essential for food safety.

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• Pantry Moth Traps

Numerous pantry moth traps are available on the market. You can safely use them as they’re non-toxic, and are made to be used around food items. They will trap any hidden moths, and they stay active for a couple of months to ensure a moth-free pantry for a long time.

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· How to Get Rid of Moths Outdoors ·

Controlling outdoor moths is a difficult task compared to indoor moths. There are moth killers available on the market that target caterpillars feeding on plants, but won’t harm beneficial pests like honeybees, earthworms, and birds. However, if you are hesitant to use any chemicals at all, there are some natural remedies.

Natural Ways to Get Rid of Moths Outdoors

1. Use natural predators to keep moth populations in your garden under control.
2. Several small animals, rodents, and parasitic insects feed on caterpillars and pupae.
3. These include mice, raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels, voles, shrews, and skunks.
4. Parasitic insects like Calosoma beetles, parasitic flies, and parasitic wasps also feast on caterpillars.
5. Use these creatures strategically to control the population of moths in your gardens and lawns.

 

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If you want to successfully keep moths out of your house then preventative measures will keep them from invading your space.

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Maintain cleanliness indoors and outdoors. Always store food in airtight containers, and avoid storing grains in bulk. Put essential oil sachets in your cupboards. If necessary, use moth traps to keep them from starting an invasion of your home.***

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