How to Quickly Get Rid of Clothes Moths
Need a way to get rid of clothes moths? It is a common question that pops up this time of year when people are sifting through their belongings for spring cleaning. Clothes moths are not a fun surprise to come across in your organizing, but there are steps you can take to rectify the situation and prevent damage in the future. Keep an eye out for holes in clothing and fabrics that have been stored in a dark space. Follow Trindle Self Storage’s tips below on how to get rid of clothes moths and prevent them from finding their way into your storage unit.
How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths (in Home Storage & Storage Units)
Identify the Type of Moths
Do you actually have clothes moths? If you notice a moth in your home, do not worry right away. Many moths that might find their way into your home are after plants, not your clothing. Only two moth species are a threat to your clothes: the casemaking clothes moth and the webbing clothes moth—both a yellow or gray color, about 1 cm long.
Next, look for holes. You will be able to identify a clothes moth by the web left behind on the material. The moths’ babies are actually the root of the problem, not the adult moths. They prefer dark, humid spaces and prefer to eat materials like wool, cashmere, and fur that come from animals.
Clean Your Clothes and Space
OK, so you’ve identified the clothes moths. Now what?
For materials that unfortunately were damaged past the point of repair, you should throw them away. Materials with only slight damages can be salvaged with a wash using warm water or dry cleaning. Always check the tags on your clothes before attempting to wash them. You will also want to clean your storage space, whether that be a closet, attic, basement, or storage unit. Vacuum the area and immediately throw away the vacuum bag. If you are dealing with a carpeted space, it may also be worth it to steam clean the area for safe measures.
Learn to Prevent Future Clothes Moths
Now that you’ve addressed the immediate problem, it’s time to put up some preventative measures for the future. Pack your remaining clothing into sealed containers or bags. For extra protection and piece of mind, seal any potential holes, such as seams, with tape. Another option is to move your storage space around frequently—reorganizing, swapping items in and out, etc. These moths dislike movement and light, so do your best to keep your storage unit from becoming a dark, moist environment. Visiting your storage unit often will give you the opportunity to open up your storage unit to allow for ventilation.
Trindle Self Storage in Carlisle PA
Now that you have a better understanding of how to get rid of clothes moths, let us help you find secure storage space for your clothing nearby. Trindle Self Storage is your first choice for affordable storage units in Carlisle, PA. Choose from a variety of storage amenities, including temperature-controlled storage units, indoor storage units, convenient drive-up storage units and more! Additionally, for your security, all storage units are housed within a gated and fenced perimeter, with 24-hour security cameras and secure keypad access. Feel comfortable storing your personal items at Trindle Self Storage this year. Call or email our storage facility today, or stop by in person to chat with the team of storage experts at Trindle Self Storage!
We also provide simple online storage rentals, so you can secure your space in just a few clicks. Use helpful resources like our storage calculator and self storage tips to guide you to the ideal storage unit for your load. Get started!
Tim Glasow
About the Author: Tim is the SEO Manager at Storage Asset Management in York, PA. He is a self-storage industry specialist who has written about everything from storage advice and helpful resources to industry trends. In his free time, Tim enjoys sampling craft beer and exploring the local music scene.
