Pests in the house are very annoying. From mice to silverfish or moths: you prefer to keep them all as far away from you as possible. But what if you’ve been hit by a moth infestation and the bugs gnaw holes in all your clothes? Time for (effective) measures!
Before you can determine what to do about it, it is important to recognize the type of moth that is bothering you. Here you will have the answer to how to get rid of moths:
Two types of moths
Indoors, there are two types of moths that are most common. The moths found in the wardrobe and the flying bugs that scurry around in the pantry. The pantry variety, also known as the flour moth, is mostly for grains and dry foods such as crackers, rice, and pasta. Clothing moths – as the name suggests – nestle in your wardrobe. Especially items made of natural materials such as linen, wool, and silk have to believe them, and the moths like to gnaw holes in them.
Throw away
It’s a shame but true, all food that has been affected by moths must be thrown away. Are you in doubt? Even then you should definitely throw the food away. It is also very important that you remove the garbage bag immediately from the bin and put it with the bulky waste. Get out of your house with it!
Doing laundry
Do you have moths in the wardrobe? Then it’s time to clear out your wardrobe and do some laundry. Wash all clothes with hot water and a splash of detergent. In addition, it is important to vacuum properly afterward; this applies to both the pantries and your wardrobe. Do not forget to immediately remove the vacuum cleaner bag afterward and also throw it in the container as the weed weather. It may be that you have sucked eggs and of course, you do not want them to continue to roam around the house.
Get rid of mothballs
Your grandma’s advice would probably sound like this: “Mothballs keep pests at bay.” Still, it is better not to risk that, according to researchers, a substance found in white mothballs – could pose risks to your health, they say.
To play it safe, keep clothes that you won’t be wearing for a while (such as your summer clothes in winter) in airtight bags. You can also put cedarwood scent balls in the cupboard. The oil from the wood is known to keep carpet moths at bay. Airtight, well-sealed containers are ideal to properly protect food. This means that the moths cannot reach it, and your food is immediately inaccessible to other pests.
Weekly cleaning
The best tip for reducing the risk of annoying moths as much as possible? Keep cleaning well. Regularly make the cupboards dust-free, make sure that no crumbs or other food remains are left in the kitchen, and every now and then take everything out of your wardrobe to be able to clean it properly inside. Do you ever buy second-hand items? Inspect them thoroughly before bringing them into your home and clean them thoroughly beforehand.