Suggestions needed - Moths and clothes!

Purple_kitten

Hi all,

I'm not sure where to post this so feel free to move it if it's wrong.
:j

We stored our cold winter clothes in vaccum down type bags and have started getting them out today for the good ol british weather.

But we've found cotton t shirts and trousers - very holey - now I know it's not mice:D moths decided to move in!

I've read up online and it mentions about making sure the wardrobes are open to daylight, the place has been steam cleaned, clothes are clean etc, the damage is very annoying but what's worse is it seems to imply that now we have them we can't shot of them.:eek:

Does anyone know what else I can do - aside from moving :think:

Edited to add we also have tropical fish and various animals, so fumigating isn't an option.

jenniewb

They dislike Lavender.

I would also try finding out how they get into your clothes if you are sealing them as it cannot be they are finding their way into the bags.

They must be hiding or laying eggs on the clothes before you seal them, could be they like your closet, could be if you air dry them on a clothing line around dawn/dusk and they are about they decide to rest in your clothing when the sun comes up so maybe wash in hot water (30-40 degrees, 60 if you can depending on the clothes), iron everything you can and then seal as soon as they are dry. If you are OK with the scent, leave some sprigs of lavender in the bag or look in supermarkets for a similar sort of air-freshener treatment designed to be anti-moth which I am sure I have seen at some point somewhere.

Fumigating may not be an option for all of your home but maybe if you are able to locate them to the room where your clothes live you could get in a professional de-moth-er person to fumigate or deal with just the one room (assuming your animals do not live with your clothes and if they do can be moved temporarily from the room your dealing with).

Purple_kitten

I wish I'd known about the lavender about a week ago as we just gardened for the winter and threw so much away - I knew I'd need it but last year I kept it and didn't end up using much.

I have to admit the bags had been re opened at a few points and not sealed properly - the moths are in the lower part of the wardrobe as far as I can tell.

I'm working my way through the piles of washing now.

The animals are all downstairs so not to much of an issue, but I thought that the chemicals in the room would seep out a little.

jenniewb

Purple_kitten wrote: »

I wish I'd known about the lavender about a week ago as we just gardened for the winter and threw so much away - I knew I'd need it but last year I kept it and didn't end up using much.

I have to admit the bags had been re opened at a few points and not sealed properly - the moths are in the lower part of the wardrobe as far as I can tell.

I'm working my way through the piles of washing now.

The animals are all downstairs so not to much of an issue, but I thought that the chemicals in the room would seep out a little.

I can't say either way but I'd imagine that if you get a professional in to fumigate they would be able to help and answer any questions or even look into pet friendly things to try. One idea is a plug which emits a blue light. Flies are deterred by it and I think Moths are too. I have no idea if they work or not but they don't set off any scent at all. John Lewis and Lakeland Plastics sell them.

Hope you get it sorted!

melancholly

i hung some cedar ball things in the wardrobe just in case - some people think it does work, some think it doesn't, but for a few pounds, i've put them in there as it's better than the place stinking of mothballs! i guess i'll have to wait and see if it works.....

GillM

Balls. Cedar ones, that is!

Oops - just noticed previous poster already said that!!

londonsurrey

There's 950g of lavender on eBay for under £15.

jasmineswhiskers

I think moths are often a wrond misdiagnosis. I had this and it turned out to be carpet beetles - the larvae are called wooly bears and look like tiny wooly caterpillars and cause severe damage to natural textiles (wool and especially cashmere). Try googling it.

jenniewb

jasmineswhiskers wrote: »

I think moths are often a wrond misdiagnosis. I had this and it turned out to be carpet beetles - the larvae are called wooly bears and look like tiny wooly caterpillars and cause severe damage to natural textiles (wool and especially cashmere). Try googling it.

They sound like evil evil creatures! I have enough problems with my washing machine causing holes in my clothes (and am 100% sure its my washing machine) I'd go balistic if I found creatures that were putting holes in cashmere and other natural fabrics!

donnac2558

I love the smell of moth balls and hang them in my wardrobe. Just take clothes you want to wear the next day out the night before and no smell. Remind me of childhood.

You can buy strips with no smell to hang in the wardrobe made by Rentokill as well.

GillM

jasmineswhiskers wrote: »

I think moths are often a wrond misdiagnosis. I had this and it turned out to be carpet beetles - the larvae are called wooly bears and look like tiny wooly caterpillars and cause severe damage to natural textiles (wool and especially cashmere). Try googling it.

Oh yeah - saw that on How Clean is your House, I bet you're right