How You Can Get Rid of Clothes Moths in Your Space

How do you get rid of clothes moths? It is a common question that pops up this time of year when people are sifting through their belongings for spring cleaning. Clothes moths are not a fun surprise to come across in your organizing, but there are steps you can take to rectify the situation and prevent damage in the future. Keep an eye out for holes in clothing and fabrics that have been stored in a dark space. Follow our tips below on how to get rid of clothes moths and prevent them from finding their way into your storage unit.

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How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths (in Home Storage & Storage Units)

Identify the Moths

Do you actually have clothes moths? If you notice a moth in your home, do not worry right away. Many moths that might find their way into your home are after plants, not your clothing. Only two moth species are a threat to your clothes: the casemaking clothes moth and the webbing clothes moth—both a yellow or gray color, about 1 cm long. Next, look for holes. You will be able to identify a clothes moth by the web left behind on the material. The moths’ babies are actually the root of the problem, not the adult moths. They prefer dark, humid spaces and prefer to eat materials like wool, cashmere, and fur that come from animals.

Be Sure to Clean Everything

After you’ve figured out what caused the damage, go through what’s salvageable. Some components, sadly, will have to be thrown away, but others may be revived with a warm wash or trip to the dry cleaner. Before washing your clothing, check the tags! In addition to washing your clothing, you should clean any storage area in your home. If you have carpeted flooring in your room, vacuum it thoroughly—ending by immediately tossing out the vacuum bag. A shampoo or steam cleaning will also aid in eliminating any remaining insects.

Prevent Future Clothes Moths with These Tips

Clothes moths thrive in temperatures over 50 degrees Fahrenheit, so keep this in mind while putting away your clothes. To prevent a similar scenario from occurring again, make sure you provide clothing moths with the ideal conditions. You may do so by brightening up your environment and providing ventilation where feasible. This might be achieved by visiting your storage unit more frequently to give it some time outside with the door open and allow for some air flow. It would also be helpful to rearrange items in your storage to prevent them from sitting for extended periods of time. When you are packing up your items for storage, choose sealed bags or bins. A garment bag is also a safe option—just tape up any spaces that could potentially have holes, like seams. Better to be safe than sorry!

Find Storage Units to Protect Your Items

Now that you have a better understanding of how to get rid of clothes moths, let us help you find secure storage space for your clothing nearby. Self Storage Green is your one-stop shop for low-cost storage units in Alabama, New Jersey, and Florida. You may select from a variety of features at our facilities, including drive-up storage units, indoor storage spaces, and temperature-controlled storage containers. Select locations also have secure fenced parking for RVs, boats, and private cars protected by a fenced perimeter with secured gated access and 24 hour security cameras. Make no mistake about it: selecting us to store your valued possessions this year is the best option!

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Katie Mest

About the Author: Katie Mest is an SEO Specialist at Storage Asset Management in York, PA. She specializes in writing about the self storage industry, including storage tips and helpful resources. Outside of work, Katie enjoys camping, hiking, and exploring the outdoors with her newly adopted Greyhound rescue, Titan.