How to Get Rid of Clothes Moths

How can you get rid of clothes moths? When individuals are cleaning out their belongings for spring cleaning, this is a frequent concern. Clothes moths are not a pleasant surprise to discover in your storage unit, but there are things you can do to correct the problem and avoid further harm. Keep an eye on garments and textiles that have been stored in a dark place for any holes or indications of infestation. Follow Storage Depot of Douglasville’s 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

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. 

Clean Your Clothes and Space

OK, so you’ve identified the clothes moths. Now what? You should recycle or dispose of any damaged materials that are beyond repair. With a mild wash, minor damage items such as textiles may be restored. Before attempting to wash your clothing, always check the tags on them. You should also clean your storage space, whether it’s a closet, attic, basement, or storage unit. Vacuum the area and dispose of the vacuum bag as soon after as possible. If you’re working in a carpeted environment, it might be worth it to steam clean it for added protection.

Prevent Future Clothes Moths

Now that you’ve addressed the immediate problem, it’s time to put up some preventative measures. Place your remaining clothing in sealed containers or bags. Tape any possible hole locations, such as seams, for further protection and peace of mind if you opt to use garment bags. Another option is to move your storage space around frequently—reorganizing, swapping items in and out, etc. These moths dislike movement and light, so do your best to keep your storage unit from becoming a dark, moist environment. Visiting your storage unit often will give you the opportunity to open up your storage unit to allow for ventilation.  

Storage Depot of Douglasville in Douglasville, GA

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. Find your source of affordable storage units in Douglasville, GA at Storage Depot of Douglasville! Choose from a variety of amenities, including convenient drive-up storage units, parking spaces for personal vehicles, and temperature-controlled storage units. Additionally, for your security, all storage units are housed within a fenced and gated perimeter, with 24 hour security cameras and secure keypad access. Feel comfortable storing your cherished items at Storage Depot of Douglasville, GA! Call or email the store today, or stop by in person and chat with the team of storage experts at Storage Depot of Douglasville!

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Katie Mest

About the Author: Katie Mest is a Content Marketing 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 spending time exploring the outdoors and snuggling in with a crochet project and her cat, Billie.