Where and when clothes moths do their damage
A clothes moth larva looks for wool or silk somewhere dark that nobody moves. The winter wardrobe that stays shut all summer suits it perfectly, and so does the wool rug under the sofa that never gets vacuumed underneath. Wool put away unwashed attracts it most, because sweat and food traces make it better food.
That’s why the problem is usually found late. People open the wardrobe at the start of winter, the jumpers are full of holes, and the infestation has been going for months. The moth itself avoids light, so you won’t see it around a lamp like other moths. You’ll find it inside the wardrobe, or fluttering weakly in a closed room.
Not every hole is a moth
Carpet beetle larvae cause damage to wool and carpets that looks very similar, but the larva is a small hairy grub. Silverfish eat starched cotton and linen and tend to leave surface grazing rather than holes. And some holes are simply wear and tear with no insect involved.
The difference matters because the treatment area changes from case to case. If you send us a photo of the hole, the insect, or the grains at the bottom of the wardrobe, the technician can often tell you what you’re dealing with before the visit.
How we treat clothes moths
We inspect every wardrobe, not only the one with the problem, because moths travel with clothes from one to another. We check all the carpets too, especially the edges and the areas under heavy furniture, along with wool upholstery such as sofas, cushions and wall hangings.
Then comes preparation. Infested clothes are treated by hot washing or dry cleaning. Anything that can’t take that can be sealed in a bag and put in the freezer for a few days. This kills eggs and larvae in the fabric itself, since we don’t spray clothes.
After that we treat the empty wardrobe inside, plus carpets and fitted carpets, with Ministry of Health approved residual products. Most are low-odour and safe for children and pets when applied correctly. If the infestation was widespread, we come back for a follow-up visit.
Don’t put everything back at once. Return only what has been washed or cleaned, and keep the rest sealed in its bag. One piece with eggs in a clean wardrobe puts you back at the start.
Why moths come back every year
The cycle runs through the summer without anyone seeing it. Wool goes into storage in spring, sometimes unwashed, and the wardrobe is shut. The moths lay eggs and the larvae feed quietly for months. In winter people find the damage, spray the wardrobe or add mothballs, while the rug in the living room still has larvae nobody has touched.
So we treat every affected area in the same visit. If you own valuable pieces such as handmade rugs, fur or wool suits, store them clean and sealed and check them every few months rather than once a year. Catching it early is the difference between a small hole at the edge of a rug and a whole patch of pile gone.
Who has the most trouble with moths
Homes with wool or handmade rugs, and wardrobes holding suits, jumpers and linens stored for years. Flats that stay closed most of the year, like a holiday flat in Alexandria or the old family flat. Carpet, fabric and upholstery shops and clothing stores, where large quantities sit in one place. And homes with cats or dogs, because hair collecting in corners and under sofas suits the larvae well.
In a shop or store an infestation gets expensive, because the damage reaches the stock. It’s better to check early than wait for a customer to find the hole. Call us and we’ll arrange a visit outside your working hours.
After the treatment: what to do
- Only put wool back in the wardrobe once it's clean. Sweat and food stains attract the larvae even more.
- After washing, store winter clothes in well-sealed bags or plastic boxes with lids.
- Vacuum carpets regularly, paying attention to the edges and the areas under sofas and beds.
- Open and air wardrobes and move the things you don't wear. Moths like what nobody touches.
The price is set after the inspection
The cost of clothes moth control depends on the number of wardrobes and rooms affected, the area of carpet, fitted carpet and upholstery that needs treating, and whether the infestation needs a follow-up visit. We confirm the exact price before we start, and the inspection comes with no obligation.
After treatment you receive a guarantee certificate stating the period and the service, and if the problem returns within that period we come back at no extra cost.
