Moths are possibly some of the worst bugs to have in the house because of the damage they wreak. Moths love invading dark areas where they will lay their eggs and search for food. The likely places to find them are attics, closets or basements.

Now, while moths are harmless, in that they won't sting you or even bite you, they are more than fond of eating that favourite sweater!

There are two types of moth, namely clothes moths and pantry moths.

Pantry moths are often referred to as flour moths because they are attracted by dry food and grains such as cereals, rice, and crackers. 

Clothes moths are more likely to be found in wardrobes and linen cupboards, while pantry moths head for the kitchen.

Clothes moths are normally seen in closets where you may find small caterpillars eating your linen, silk, and wool garments.

It is important that you identify the type of moth because they will head for different food sources.

Getting rid of clothes moths

Make a laundry pile of clothing you think has moth larvae on and wash using a hot wash and detergent. Dry on medium heat to kill the larvae. Be aware that some garments may not recommend this method. If so, dry cleaning will take care of the larvae.

Getting rid of pantry moths

Throw out any contaminated food. Bag it up and remove it from the house as soon as possible.

Make sure that anything you store is in glass or air tight plastic containers.

For both types of moth you should vacuum everything, carpets, baseboards, walls. Use a crevice tool to get into corners. After this you should seal the vacuum bag and throw it out right away.

In the kitchen scrub any shelves where you have found moths. Use a mixture of 50/50 vinegar and water. 

For clothes moths you should place clothing in tightly sealed plastic bags. This is preferable to using moth balls which are a danger to pets and smell horrid.

Seasonal clothing can be stored in plastic bags and packed away. You can even store cashmere jumpers in air tight bags in the freezer.

Final thoughts

It is important to note that most moths are brought into the home from the grocery store so be sure to check your food as you unpack it. Make sure that there are no fine webs or creepy crawlies before you store food in glass or firm plastic containers.

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