To chase flying creatures with hand tools – broom, newspaper, rag, etc. is a useless occupation. Even if we cause the moth to die, we kill the males. At the same time, the female moths, without any remorse, give birth to new additions in the form of silvery-white eggs, from which after some time greedy caterpillars hatch.
To deal with them, we must first determine the “address” of these pests.
The food moth most often infects flours, legumes, nuts and dried fruits. It loves heat, high humidity and lack of ventilation. However, catching the flying moths won’t solve your problem. You will have to throw all the food out of your cupboards. Thoroughly clean the areas with disinfectant and leave them empty for a few days. Keep your food well sealed. Only when you are convinced that you have completely dealt with the insects, you can move the food back into the cupboards. This will prevent future moth infestations both from outside and if you bring in a product infested with larvae.
What to do with the moth?
The breeding season of this type of pest is year-round, and the moths feed on wool, cotton, velvet, silk, feathers, leather, and even book covers. These insects can even gnaw thin plastic bags to reach their food source. The caterpillars can live at a temperature of zero degrees Celsius and survive without food for almost a month.
Prevention advises – moths don’t tolerate direct sunlight and fresh air. It is for this reason that pests are not dangerous for everyday clothing and footwear. However, this can’t be said for the winter clothes that we put in wardrobes in the summer.
The “starter” of the caterpillars are greasy and sweaty spots. Moths absorb dirt and make holes in clothes. That is why the fight against these insects starts in the washing machine. Wash all of your clothes at a minimum temperature of 60 °C.
How to protect yourself from Clothes moths?
The best strategy against Clothes moths is to prevent them from breeding. The first place you should think about is the wardrobe. You may know that there are natural scents that repel these pests. It is necessary to clean and ventilate the wardrobes and all rooms.
Moths on clothes
It is a misconception that these insects feed mainly on woollen fabrics. On the contrary, they eat all kinds of substances. Their larvae need protein, which they get from keratin in their tissues. Therefore, they practically destroy all sorts of natural materials, such as linen, cotton, silk, cashmere, etc. If you keep clothes or blankets in plastic bags, you should know that this is not an effective measure. On the contrary, nylon creates an unventilated environment that pests happily inhabit.
Moths on food
The destruction of kitchen moths also begins with a thorough clearing of food provisions. Carefully inspect all foods that are outside the refrigerator. Pay attention not only to the open but also to the sealed packages. Very often these pests live in the folds of the packaging, which they find cosy. Also, they can devour nylon to make their way to food. Therefore, sealed packaging is far from a guarantee for harmless products. Immediately discard anything you see in the trail.
Professional extermination of moths
If we ignore the problem, they will continue to multiply and cause enormous damage. That is why we should approach responsibly and sensibly. In case the insect population does not decrease despite your efforts, contact a professional pest control company. Of course, it is normally first to try to find a way to repel pests, but if this doesn’t happen and the problem deepens, we need to take more serious measures to do proper moth extermination. Specialists will assess the situation and provide adequate moth treatment.