Moths can cause many problems in the home because their larvae love to feed on the natural fibres found in clothing, carpets and fabrics.

Nobody enjoys discovering their favourite item of clothing is covered in unsightly holes. Our helpful guide aims to help homeowners (and clothes lovers) to find and eradicate these pesky creatures before the damage is done.

Know your enemy

The brown house moth has a tiny wingspan of 15-26mm and is often found in the home. When hatched, the larvae enjoy munching on wool, silk, cashmere, angora and cottons. They happily eat clothing such as womens Aran cardigans, carpets, and anything else they can find.

Finding moths

Moth infestations can wreak havoc on your clothing, particularly those made of natural fibres. To effectively prevent moths from damaging your wardrobe, it’s essential to find them first.

Regularly inspecting your clothing, especially items that have been stored away for a long time, is a good place to start. If you see small holes or irregular chewed edges in fabrics, it means that moth larvae have been feeding on it.

Taking action

Once you’ve discovered that moths are present, it’s time to take action to eradicate them and protect your clothing, such as favourite jumpers, womens Aran cardigans, and anything else these pests take a shine to. Start by taking all your clothes out of your wardrobe and vacuum the wardrobe thoroughly.

Wash infested items at a hot temperature to kill moth eggs and larvae. Delicate items, such as womens Aran cardigans, that cannot be put through a hot wash can be placed in a sealed plastic bag to prevent the spread of larvae to other clothing. Put the bag in the freezer for 48 hours to kill the moth larvae.

Keeping moths away

Prevention is key to maintaining a moth-free wardrobe. Always wash your clothing before putting them away. Moths love musty, damp conditions, so always store your items in clean, well-ventilated spaces.

Finally, use natural moth repellents like cedarwood, lavender, or sachets filled with dried herbs in your storage spaces. These scents deter moths.