How To Get Rid Of Moths
Tips on How to Get Rid of Moths
Those fluttery little winged creatures you’ve seen in the house confirmed there is a moth infestation going on; so now what you need to know is how to get rid of moths that are in the home.
In the home, there are two common types of moth infestations: the pantry moth, which is found around food sources, and the clothes moth, which can be found anywhere in the home where natural fibers and organic fabrics may be located. Both of these pests can cause extensive damage, although in totally different ways, in the home. These differences mean there are specific things to know about how to get rid of moths that you have found.
It is obviously much easier to prevent an infestation than to eliminate one, as the best tip on how to get rid of moths is to never have them in the first place. For the pantry moth which invades food items in the kitchen or pantry, preventative measures require the close inspection of many of the food purchases made each week; items such as flours, grains, dried herbs, cereals, packaged dry baking mixes and pet foods. Regular inspection of the areas where the food items are stored is also required; seeking to find any evidence of webbing, active larvae or the larvae waste on shelving and floors.
For the clothes moth, prevention requires stringent cleaning actions. Clothing containing wool, animal hides, fur and other natural fibers should never be stored in a dirty condition. Even pet hairs which commonly cling to our clothing can create a buffet feast for the clothes moth, so fastidious brushing of the clothing item before storing in a closet is necessary. Vigorous vacuuming of the closet with special attention paid to the crevices and underneath shoes and throw rugs is needed to loosen and eliminate any eggs that were laid.
If it is too late for prevention, you will need to know how to get rid of moths of either type. The food items infested by pantry moths will need to be removed and immediately taken out of the house. A thorough cleaning of the area is necessary to remove any traces. If a pet food has been contaminated, it can be saved by freezing it and then sifting out the dead larvae and moths. These steps should eliminate the presence of the pantry moth.
Avid sanitation and cleaning is how to get rid of moths from fabrics. The eggs are attached by a glue-like substance and may be difficult to remove. Vacuum the area thoroughly. Use commercial sprays designed to kill larvae, and obtain mothballs containing camphor. Dry cleaning infested clothing will kill existing larvae.
Learning how to get rid of moths can be a valuable lesson, but the best lesson to learn is in how to prevent an infestation from occurring.