How can I protect my clothes from Clothes Moths?

There are several things you can do to protect your jumpers, blankets, and other woollens from clothes moths. We have compiled a list of easy steps you can take to help prevent your favourite woollen items from being eaten whilst they are stored away for the summer.

Clean Everything!

The most important step is to make sure your clothes are clean before you store them, which makes sense right? Who would store dirty clothes?

Fabric pests attack dirty clothing and woollens first as they provide extra nutrition from the spilled food stains, urine, and perspiration.

Clean woollens are much less desirable to clothes moths.

Choose the Right Storage Containers

Cardboard boxes are a no go, as they offer no barrier to clothes moths. Your woollens should be stored in an airtight container which has a tight-fitting lid.

If your storage area is limited for space and large containers will not fit, then zip lock bags are a good choice.

Remember, the longer woollens are stored, the more likely they are to be infested by clothes moths.

What about Mothballs?

Mothballs are often used incorrectly. Most people don’t realize that these products are pesticides and when used incorrectly can be dangerous.

When used to protect woollens, mothballs are rarely added in sufficient amounts (one should really read the label) to do the job.

If the container is not airtight to contain the fumes, they simply will not work.

In reality forget about the use of repellents like moth balls and concentrate your efforts more on proper cleaning and storage.

If you do happen to find fabric pests such as clothes moths, carpet beetles or silverfish give Sydneys Best Pest Control a call.