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How to get rid of moths in a wardrobe

Tip 1043, filed under pest control tips.

The short answer

Empty the wardrobe completely, wash or freeze everything, vacuum the carcass thoroughly including the joints, and then use pheromone traps to monitor for the next generation.

  1. Empty it completely. Half measures fail with moths.
  2. Wash everything you can at 60C. For anything that cannot be washed, seal it in a bag and put it in the freezer for 72 hours.
  3. Vacuum the wardrobe, particularly the corners, the joints and any cracks, then empty the vacuum outside immediately.
  4. Wipe it out and let it dry.
  5. Hang pheromone traps, which catch males and tell you whether you still have a problem.
  6. Store woollens clean, in sealed boxes or bags, with cedar or lavender as a deterrent rather than a cure.
What will ruin it

It is the larvae that eat clothing, not the adults you can see. By the time moths are flying around the room there are eggs and larvae in the fabric, so treating only what flies achieves nothing.

Why it works

Clothes moth larvae eat keratin, which is why they go for wool, cashmere, silk and fur and ignore cotton and synthetics. They are attracted to items stored dirty, because sweat and food residue make the fibre more digestible.

Household chemicals can be dangerous in combination. Never mix them, keep the room ventilated, and test anything on a hidden patch first. Full disclaimer.

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