How To Get Rid Of Clothes Moths In Australia
Clothes moths can be a serious problem in Australia, particularly in areas with high humidity and warm temperatures. These pests can cause significant damage to clothing, bedding, and other textiles, and it can be challenging to get rid of them once they infest your home.
Clothes moths belong to the family Tineidae (Order Lepidoptera). The most well known species we have here in Australia are the casemaking clothes moth (pictured above) and the webbing clothes moth (pictured below), both of which can cause severe damage.
Although these pests are small they can do a lot of damage to all sorts of items around a home, including clothes, furniture, carpets, underlay, and stored goods. They feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, and cotton. Woollen carpets are a big drawcard for these moths, and also fur coats! Many customers call us in a panic when their woollen carpet has been attacked.
The most common moth I see in customers’ homes is the casemaking clothes moth. The larvae harbour in dark areas, such as wardrobes and under furniture. The adult moths are sensitive to light.
It’s only the larval stage that does any damage; the flying moth doesn’t do anything except lay more eggs. Where moths are found flying around a room, it’s a good sign of an infestation, and at this point most of the damage has been done. Here are some tips on how to get rid of clothes moths in Australia:
Identify the Source of the Infestation
The first step in getting rid of clothes moths is to identify the source of the infestation. Check all areas where you store clothing and textiles, such as closets, drawers, and storage boxes. Look for signs of damage, including small holes in fabrics and shed larvae skins.
Clean and Vacuum Thoroughly
Once you’ve identified the areas that are affected by clothes moths, it’s essential to clean and vacuum thoroughly. Use a high-powered vacuum to clean carpets, rugs, and furniture. Pay special attention to cracks and crevices where clothes moths and their larvae might hide. Vacuuming will help remove any eggs or larvae that may be hiding in these areas.
Wash or Dry Clean Affected Items
If you’ve identified specific items that are affected by clothes moths, make sure you wash or dry clean them. Use hot water and high heat to kill any eggs or larvae that may be present. For delicate fabrics or items that can’t be washed, consider dry cleaning them.
Call in a Professional
Treatment for moths is a very detailed job. Firstly a proper inspection of the property will have to be undertaken by a licensed pest controller that has had experience in getting rid of moths before- like Sunnystate Pest Control!
It’s a good start to begin with a thorough pre-vacuum of the property, paying particular attention to wardrobes and under furniture. Hiring a pest control company to come and just do a spray of a home for moths and their larvae isn’t going to work, it’s essential that an attempt is made first to remove as many of the existing casings before treatment begins.
Carpet edges will also have to be vacuumed. This gives a clean surface for the insecticide to be placed, and it also gets rid of any moth larvae that may be on the surface of the carpet.
As with most things in life, preparation is the key to successful treatments and only a company that has a sound understanding of these pests will prepare the site adequately before the procedure starts.
After the initial treatment, a second visit around ten days later will have to be arranged to do a final inspection to ensure all moths and casing have been eliminated.
Got a problem with moths? Give us a call now!
