• Got a moth problem?

Got a moth problem?

MOTHS

    PREVENTION AND CURE

A large proportion of clothing is made from natural fibres and many types of creatures enjoy feasting on certain types particularly the cellulose of plant fibres such as cotton and flax (linen) and hair such as wool and cashmere. Clothes moths are only about 1/4 inch in length, whereas most food-infesting moths are about 1/2 inch in length. Clothes moths are relatively easy to catch when they land. They usually only fly around the immediate area of the house where the infestation is found, and can be identified by their flight pattern, a distinctive flutter.

Clothes Moths are weak flyers and are not attracted to lights. They tend to hide when disturbed, and for this reason, infestations of clothes moths are not usually noticed until damaged fabrics, furs, or feathers are found. Close examina­tion of the objects reveals the presence of silken webs that are spun by the larvae. The insects that cause the most damage to textile materials are clothes moths or to be more precise, their larvae. The common clothes moth can lay up to 100 eggs on a piece of clothing. The moth will prefer to lay her eggs in a dark place, and one that is not too dry. A woolen suit hanging in an un­ventilated wardrobe will be a very attractive spot for any pregnant moth. When hatched, the larvae move across the fabric and will start to consume any suitable areas. The moth tends to lay eggs on garments that have residual food stains, and this insect damage can often be hard to detect. Larvae may not contain protein and will provide sustenance for the grubs necessarily eat holes through fibres but will bite through fabrics stained by foods, them, leaving the damage lying on top of the garment.

Dry perspiration, or urine is therefore more subject to damage. Cleaning or laundering will remove this damage revealing the real damage underneath. Dry cleaning or thoroughly laundering items in hot water (temperature above 120°F for 20 to 30 minutes) kills all stages of insects. This is the most common and effective method for controlling clothes moths in clothing, blankets, and other washable articles. (Because many woolen and silk garments should not be washed in hot water, dry clean­ing may be the only suitable cleaning option.) Keeping fab­rics clean also has another advantage: insects are less likely to feed on clean fabrics than on heavily soiled ones. Widespread or heavy infestations often require the services of a professional pest control specialist.

Specialist, natural products can be purchased that will deter moths from laying eggs in your favorite fabrics.

The Swiss Laundry stocks a range of “Colibri moth repellants that are very effective at deterring moths from being attracted to fabrics. They are pleasantly scented with citrus or lavender and are a better op­tion to the old fashioned “moth balls”