How to protect your clothes from moths

Tuesday 18 October at 4:08pm

Moths are invading our nation's wardrobes and they've got an appetite for our winter woolies - but how can you stop them gnawing holes in your favourite garments? We're joined by bug expert Stuart Hine who has a moth-er load of tips for fighting off the moths and keeping your clothes hole free - and he's brought some of his moth friends along.

How to protect your clothes

1. SHAKE CLOTHES: Regular disturbance and checking your clothing often is an important means of protection against moths. Moths can also eat carpet made of woollen fibres, so regular hoovering and the moving of furniture is essential to keeping them away.

2. WASH CLOTHES OFTEN: Although having moths doesn't mean your house is dirty, washing is good to keep them at bay. Putting your clothes in the wash is good practice, and a hot wash is better - but obviously follow the garment washing instructions to ensure your favourite woollens do not shrink in the wash. There is strong evidence that clothes moths are attracted to minerals present in our sweat and that food soiled clothes are important for their development.

3. NATURAL OILS: Mothballs are a bit old fashioned, and very smelly. Instead products that contain citronella, lavender, cedarwood, rosemary and clove are all great to keep moths away. They aren't moth killers, but they deter moths as they either mask the smell of the fabrics moths are interested in, or they can create unpleasant smells.

4. PUT JUMPERS AWAY IN SUMMER: It's good wardrobe practice to spend a bit of time transferring your summer clothes into storage and bringing out the winter clothes. This not only gives you more wardrobe space, but also means your jumpers are in a protected space and not waiting at the back of a wardrobe for a moth attack. You can also vac pack them for extra protection. However, check thoroughly that you're clothes are not already infested as if they are you will just be boxing up the problem.

5. SECOND-HAND CLOTHES: There's no real danger of second-hand clothes, but be aware that the second-hand jumper from the charity shop may harbour eggs or small larvae of clothes moths - so treating this before introducing to your pile of Prada cashmere would be good practice.

6. TRAPS: This is Stuart's preferred and recommended method of control/treatment. He uses pheromone traps which work for all the main 'clothes moth' species. They work by using female moth sex pheromones to attract the males, males get stuck on a sticky pad, which takes them out hopefully before they can mate with a female. The traps aren't foolproof as they only catch males, but it is a very effective long-term strategy that doesn't use insecticides.

What to do if moths are already there?

1. DRY CLEANING: This kills all eggs, larvae and adults

2. FREEZE YOUR CLOTHES: Yes really. Wrap affected clothes in a plastic bag and deep freeze for 3-5 days; this kills larvae and adults and usually all eggs.

3. CLEAN: Vacuum drawers and wardrobes, including the corners and crevasses.

4. STORAGE: Take all other vulnerable clothing out of your wardrobes and place in sealed boxes or plastic bags. Ensure they are treated and free of eggs/larvae/moths first.

5. PEST CONTROL: If none of the above works, and moths are still causing havoc, the time has come to contact your local pest controller. They will be able to offer advice and treatment.