How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths

How can you get rid of clothes moths that infiltrate your garments in storage? If you’re like many people, you have a lot of clothes. And if you have a lot of clothes, you’re probably familiar with the pesky little creatures known as clothes moths. Though they might not be harmful, they can do a lot of damage to your garments. Keep reading for tips from the storage professionals at Elite RV & Boat Storage on how to exterminate these critters for good!

How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths

How to Identify Clothes Moths

There are a few ways to identify that it is clothes moths eating away at your fabric and not another insect. Clothes moths are attracted to animal-based fibers and are commonly found with cashmere, wool, or fur garments. When they are larvae, you’ll notice holes and webbing in these items where they feed. Initially, it can be hard to detect them because they are very small in the larvae stage. Don’t be deceived – despite their size, they will still ruin your clothing! As they grow into adults, casemaking clothes moths and webbing clothes moths are easier to detect, getting to be around a centimeter long with a grey or yellow coloring. Learn more about the species from the Insect Diagnostic Laboratory.

Cleaning Tips to Stay Moth Free

When you know the culprit, start cleaning immediately. Separate anything with holes so they can’t get back into place again. Some items may be worth salvaging, but you’ll likely want new ones. Wash everything that you decide to keep. If there’s carpeting in your storage space take extra steps because clothes moths love eating wool! Start by vacuuming and throwing away the vacuum bag. Then, steam the carpet to help kill off unwanted guests, followed by shampooing to provide long term prevention by killing surface oils.

Prevent Future Moth Damage

Moth prevention is easy with the right steps. We recommend using airtight containers for storing clothes and fabrics that might be susceptible to these pests. Additionally, moths often choose storage spaces because they are dark and undisturbed. Schedule regular visits to your storage space to rearrange your belongings and let things air out so pests don’t settle. If possible, have lighting installed. And don’t forget to regularly wipe down surfaces and vacuum your storage space.

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Elite RV & Boat Storage in Fort Myers, FL

We specialize in RV and boat storage in Fort Myers, FL. Our RV and boat storage facility is secure and affordable, and we have the resources to make your storage experience a great one. Rent storage entirely online with our contactless rentals. Are you unsure of which size you will need? Check out our storage calculator. If you are a first-time storage user, our storage experts are available in the office to walk you through the process from start to finish. We also offer a convenient wash and dump station on-site. Find RV and boat storage in Fort Myers, FL at our facility today!