Check the racks of your local thrift store and you’re bound to find heaps of wool coats and sweaters riddled with moth holes. Who hasn’t found little holes in their favorite cashmere cardigan or wool sportcoat?
Clothes moths, specifically the webbing clothes moth or the casemaking clothes moth, are fabric pests found in homes. Their larvae feed on animal fibers containing proteins, including fur, wool, wool blends, silk, hair, feathers/down, mohair, cashmere, and more.You could find damage (or the larvae themselves) on clothing, rugs, upholstery, furs, and even woolen felts on piano keys. Damage generally occurs in hidden areas. Fabrics stained by foods, drinks or perspiration, are more subject to damage.
Clothes moths are weak flyers and are not attracted to lights. They tend to hide when disturbed, and can often be found close to the infested items.
As you begin your spring cleaning, here are four tips to prevent moth damage:
- Dry clean your wool, cashmere, ecr. then store them in airtight containers over the summer.
- Periodically clean areas that may harbor clothes moths, such as under heavy furniture, along baseboards, in cracks where hair and debris accumulate, closets, heaters and vents.
- After using the vacuum in infested areas, freeze the bag, then dispose of it promptly.
- Hang infested items in the sun and brush them thoroughly, especially along seams and in folds and pockets. Brushing destroys eggs and exposes larvae.
If these proactive measures do not work, then contact us for advice.