Killing the odd flying moth does not save your woollens. To get rid of clothes moths you have to find the larvae, clean everything they can feed on and treat the places they hide.
Empty one wardrobe or drawer at a time and take everything into good light. Look for holes, webbing, cases and droppings. Often the source is a single item, such as an old wool rug, a bag of forgotten fleeces or a stored fur collar, and the moths have spread from there. If you can find and deal with the source early, the rest of the job becomes far easier.
Remember that moth eggs are tiny and easily missed, so treating only the visibly damaged items is not enough. Treat anything natural-fibre in the same space.
Vacuum the inside of wardrobes, drawers, skirting boards and the edges of carpets, paying attention to crevices where fluff and hair collect. Move furniture to vacuum underneath. Empty the vacuum cleaner contents into a sealed bag and put it in the outside bin afterwards. Wipe shelves and rails with a household cleaner. Regular, repeated cleaning breaks the cycle.
Pheromone traps attract male moths and are useful for finding out whether moths are present and where, but they do not remove the larvae and should not be seen as a cure on their own. Residual insecticide sprays for fabric pests should be used strictly as the label directs, and not on clothing worn next to the skin. Mothballs are not a modern remedy and carry their own health concerns.
Seek help if moths return after you have cleaned and treated, if they are in fitted carpets, underlay or roof insulation, or if valuable textiles, antiques or a rented property are involved. A technician can identify the species, locate the breeding sites and treat the building appropriately. Cost depends on the property, how far the moths have spread and the number of visits, and a quote is free.
Once you have cleaned and treated everything, keep a routine going for at least a couple of months. Place a pheromone trap in each affected room and check it weekly. Vacuum edges and corners every week or two, and shake out stored items before putting them back. The life cycle can run for months, so one clean is rarely the end.
Return cleaned items to sealed boxes or bags, not to the old, unwashed drawers. If you see a new adult moth, search for a source you may have missed, such as a rug, a coat at the back of the cupboard or something in the loft, instead of assuming the earlier work failed. Persistence is what finally works.
If the problem persists, call 0113 347 0014 or message us on WhatsApp for a free quote.
Freezing can kill eggs and larvae in small items if they stay in a sealed bag in a freezer for several days. Let them return to room temperature in the bag before opening. It is not practical for carpets and furniture.
No. Pheromone traps catch males and help you monitor activity, but the larvae in the fabric carry on feeding. They are a useful part of the picture, alongside cleaning and treating the affected items and spaces. A technician can confirm this on a free survey if you are unsure.
Once washed, dry cleaned or frozen, clothes that are free from live larvae are generally fine to wear, though any holes remain. Items that are badly damaged may need repair or replacement. If in doubt, ask a cleaner or technician.
Tell us what you have seen and where, and we will come back to you. There are no call-out charges and surveys are free for homes and businesses.
