How Can You Get Rid of Clothes Moths Around Your Home?
How do you get rid of clothes moths? It is a common question that pops up this time of year when people are sifting through their belongings for spring cleaning. Clothes moths are not a fun surprise to come across in your organizing, but there are steps you can take to rectify the situation and prevent damage in the future. Keep an eye out for holes in clothing and fabrics that have been stored in a dark space. Follow Mini-Maxi 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 (& Keep Them Gone!)
Identify the Problem
Do you actually have clothes moths? What do clothes moths look like? 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 & 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.
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.
Mini-Maxi Self Storage in Tampa, FL, Can Help
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. Self storage is an affordable and convenient way to organize your belongings. Make space in your home or office by leaving seasonal items, winter clothes, furniture, and more with us.
Mini-Maxi Storage offers drive-up storage units of all sizes on North Florida Avenue in Tampa, FL, and our storage professionals can assist you in choosing the best options for your needs and budget. Already know the kind of storage you would like to rent? We have resources to guide your decision-making as you navigate our online storage rentals. Get started with Mini-Maxi Storage by renting or reserving your storage unit contact-free!
Katie Mest
About the Author: Katie Mest is a Content Marketing Specialist at Storage Asset Management in York, PA. She specializes in writing about the self storage industry, including storage tips and helpful resources. Outside of work, Katie enjoys spending time exploring the outdoors and snuggling in with a crochet project and her cat, Billie.
