Help! Moths have chomped my clothes!!!

Alltheloginsaretakenappar

I've seen loads of little moths in my room recently. I've only been I the room 6months so I doubt that I have a huge problem, but just in case I've spent the last few days washing everything I own. At least it got me out in the sunshine, even it was to the washing line!

Now how can I prevent them going for all my clean clothes? My sister uses lavender, and we have a huge lavender bush/tree in our garden, however it's the one smell I can't stand! I've been looking at cedar balls/rings online but haven't seen any locally. Has anyone used them, are they any good?

Or any other tips?

Thanks

Pink.

Some of the posts on this older thread might help you:

There's a moth in me wardrobe wardrobe what am I gonna do

Pink

Alltheloginsaretakenappar

Thanks, I should have realised there would already be a thread and used the search! :doh:

singlemindedly

I wasn't sure where else to post this - perhaps there are some old-style remedies around?

I have moths! How do I get rid of them cheaply and effectively?

Thanks!
Susanne

scuzz

I read on another thread on here you should keep a bar of soap in with clothes to get rid of them

susank

I also had trouble with them and bought cedar wood balls and hang ups and until they arrived used lavender spray and eucalyptus oil on a cloth in the trunk affected and then put in the cedar wood when they came - I have never been affected with moths before ever.

singlemindedly

Scuzz, I can actually reliably tell you that the soaps don't work - I've been keeping soap bars in my closet for years (for the scent, not the moths) and here they are, anyway.

Susank, cedar wood and the oils won't kill them, though, will it? So what if they just move on to non-fragranced places? Carpets...

Austin_Allegro

Argh, the little b*ggers have caused ££££s worth of damage to my suits in the past. I'd suggest the following:

1. Clear out all your wardrobes, cupboards, drawers etc and throughly vacuum them.
2. Steam all your clothes with a steamer to kill eggs and sterilise the clothing (moths thrive on skin flakes in clothing).
3. If you find any clothes with holes that are still worth keeping, 'quarantine' them by first steaming them, then sealing them up in a plastic bag with several mothballs for about two weeks. Then you can repair them.
4. Replace your clothes in the wardrobe and put loads of anti-moth treatments around - lavender, cedar balls, and Bouchard moth sachets work quite well. Replace every six months or so.
5. Put any really valuable items in breathable clothing bags with moth sachets inside.
6. Keep storage spaces well aired and check regularly for moths.
7. Kill any moths when you see them.

Seakay

Found a couple of ideas online:

"Cloves smell better than moth balls and are a natural deterrent against winged pests. You can also create a water trap by filling a small basin with water and leaving a night light suspended over it. Moths will be attracted to the light and will end up crashing and burning and falling into the water. Add a little dish soap to break the surface tension of the water."

ollyk

Moths like ANY organic based material so Austin Allegro is correct except he hasn't gone far enough to suggest it is just cloths. It is carpets, curtains, hair or absolutely anything that the lava can munch on. Get that vacuum cleaner in every spot you can and steam the carpets?