A closet moth infestation can ruin your clothes and cause much frustration.
Luckily, there are many natural options to help keep moths away from your clothing.
If you’re persistent, your closet moth problem should ease up over time.
The Spruce / Bailey Mariner
Think outside the box.
Sometimes, natural fiber items go unnoticed and continue to create infestations.
Many people vacuum, but overlook moving furniture like beds and couches where hair can pile up unnoticed.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
Closet floors are another area where hair can accumulate.
Remove this source by consistently vacuuming, even in the hard-to-reach areas.
Closet moth larvae embed themselves within the natural fibers of furs and other keratin-rich materials.
The Spruce / Letícia Almeida
They wrap themselves in webbing and go dormant (pupate) as they become mature adults.
They are not easily removed, which is where brushing or beating these items can be an effective tool.
Take them outside into the fresh air, hang them over a clothesline, and brush or whack away.
A coarse-haired brush that isn’t too harsh or a carpet beater will work perfectly.
If you choose the carpet beating method, even a tennis racket will do.
The main thing is to verify that you do the job thoroughly.
You want to disrupt any eggs or larvae that might be present in the fibers of your items.
For this method, a chest freezer is ideal.
This method might be a little trickier if your items are more oversized.
Be sure to do your research and proceed with caution.
Use Traps
Closet moths will not go away until the source of your moth problem is addressed.
When it comes to closet moths, you have some options for traps: homemade or store-bought.
Homemade traps will be cheaper, but making them can get messy.
Store-bought closet moth traps are specially designed, but will cost you something.
You’ll have to experiment to find what works best for your situation.
Leave some areas of the paper sticky.
Adult closet moths will lay their eggs on the sticky paper.
Eggs, adults, and larvae will (hopefully) end up stuck to the surface.
Replace your paper trap from time to time to keep it fresh.
Store-bought pheromone traps (such as these from MothPrevention) are designed to attract and trap adult moths.
Here are some tips to double-check you’re keeping your clothes properly.
The Spruce / Leticia Almeida
Tip
Closet moths are most interested in animal-derived materials.
They will not infest items made of cotton unless they are heavily soiled with sweat or food.
double-check to keep stored laundry clean to avoid closet moths.
The key is not to rely on lavender alone to solve your closet moth issue.
You should only use this method if you’re already implementing other controls, too.
Fill sachets withdried lavender, then place them in your closets, drawers, and boxes of off-season clothes.
Maybe they’re pantry moths.
Still can’t find where they’re coming from?
Consider that you might be dealing withpantry mothsinstead.
It is best to use a variety of methods to keep closet moths out of your home.
