Tiny holes in your sweaters or other items of clothing. If you see holes in one sweater, you’ll probably find more. Check all of your clothes made with wool, feathers, fur, and silk. Clothing that looks dusty or discolored, or has a musty smell. Webbing in corners of the closet or on clothing.
You can make your own moth traps with flypaper and fish oil, which attracts moths. Dab a bit on some flypaper and hang it in your closet. [1] X Research source Traps designed to catch mice are also effective for catching moths. In particular, look for zapper style traps with infrared sensors, as these will sense the moth approaching and zap it when it nears the bait.
Wash the items according to their care instructions. If possible, put them through a hot dryer. Items that cannot be dried on high heat can be placed in the freezer for a few days to kill any eggs. Wash linens, towels, and any other cloth items stored in your closet. Remove suitcases, bags and other containers, and wash these as well.
Use soapy water or a vinegar and water solution to clean the closet floor and walls. Dip a sponge scrubber into the solution and scrub the walls to scratch off all the eggs. Clean especially well in cracks and crevices. [2] X Research source Vacuum well. Use a high-powered vacuum to clean the carpet in your closet. While you’re at it, vacuum the bedroom area, too, since moths may have laid eggs there.
Protect wool coats and sweaters with plastic bags. [5] X Research source Store winter clothing in plastic storage bags, plastic bins, or airtight metal containers.
You can also purchase ball-shaped pieces of cedar to hang in your closet, or fill a sachet bag with cedar chips and hang it up. Try placing cedar-scented items in the pockets of your wool items for extra protection.
Sachets made with dried rosemary, thyme, cloves, lavender, or bay leaves. Simply fill a small cloth bag with these ingredients, tie it with a string, and hang it up. Essential oils made from these herbs can be sprinkled in your closet or on your clothing as an effective moth deterrent.
Food items that are stuck together or seem slightly sticky. This could be caused by moth secretions. Food items that smell musty or “off,” even if they haven’t reached their expiration date or been exposed to conditions that would make them stale. Light webbing around boxes or bags in your pantry. The presence of caterpillars or full-grown moths in your pantry is a sure sign that it’s time to take action.
Bulk food items, such as grains, nuts, and rice, should be thrown away since moths eat and lay their eggs in these foods. Moths can eat through cardboard boxes. If you see tiny holes in your pantry items, throw them out. Moths can also get into tiny spaces. Anything that has been opened before, even a plastic bag of chocolate chips or nuts, should probably be tossed. Dispose of food in a sealed garbage bag and remove it from your house immediately.
Use soapy water or a vinegar and water solution as your detergent. You can also use a stronger chemical cleaner. Dip a sponge scrubber or steel wool into the solution and scour the cabinets, pantry, and other corners and cracks in your kitchen. Make sure you really scrub the surfaces to make sure the moth eggs are removed.
Choose glass or plastic containers for bulk food items. Make sure they have tight-fitting lids. Instead of putting half-used boxes and bags of non-perishable items back into the pantry, pour the remaining food into sealable containers. Moths can eat right through cardboard and light plastic.
Keep windows and doors closed when your air conditioner is running. Make sure the pantry and food storage areas are well ventilated.
