It is estimated that around 1.5 million homes in the UK experience problems with moths, and it's an issue that is getting worse. With central heating, the moth life cycle has now become active all year around. Finding moths can cause significant distress and we learn a lot from speaking directly to people on the phone. Problems range from disgust at moth larvae in rugs, horror at holes in cashmere jumpers, worry about wool carpets to food moths in kitchen cupboards.
You may think that moths are merely night time butterfly-type insects that flit around your lampshade in the summer, or lurk in the tapestries of a stuffy grand manor house. But some species of moth will creep into modern homes in search of a meal! The clothing moths larvae will happily eat your jumpers and carpets, and many other natural fibres which contain tempting and tasty proteins such as wool, cashmere, silk or linens.
Here are some tips to help you remove the source of the problem, and prevent further clothing damage:
1) Empty your affected drawers and cupboards and thoroughly vacuum the entire area, making sure you get into all the nooks and crannies, and also vacuum the surrounding carpets and skirting boards in the room to ensure that all the larvae has been removed.
2) Thoroughly wash all the clothing that has been in the affected area.
3) Spray the cupboards, wardrobes and drawers to kill all the eggs and larvae that are present and causing the damage.
4) Use natural moth repellents and deterrents. Cedar wood is a popular choice, and a wide range of products such as moth balls are available. Additional storage such as protective bags for expensive garments may also be considered.
5) Install moth traps in the affected areas to monitor the presence of adult moths and to break the breeding cycle. Remember to replace your deterrents on a regular basis, two to four times per year, and this should result in a moth-free environment.
Taking these measures for your clothes are important as the most expensive items, such as cashmere, are the most vulnerable to moths. A recent feature in early 2012 about Moth Prevention on the BBC's THE ONE SHOW and several related discussions on BBC RADIO 2 over the past year highlight just how widespread the problem has become.
If you need further information, pop along to MothPrevention.com http://www.mothprevention.com , the UK’s widest range of moth control products for dealing with an infestation of clothing moths, carpet moths or food moths, and to deter returning visitors.
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