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advice needed, please.. Moths

(9 Posts)
Ngaio1 Sun 23-May-21 10:08:48

Decorating house and we have a Moth infestation. Have a moth killer spray but what else can I do to eradicate the little varmints/ - .

GrannyGravy13 Sun 23-May-21 10:10:36

Check for any hanging larvae sacks.

midgey Sun 23-May-21 10:13:10

Put your precious woolies in the freezer! Apparently that kills the little blighters.

JaneJudge Sun 23-May-21 10:16:03

where are they? Most of them breed around the perimeter of your carpets (I am trying to think of a better way to put this, I hope you understand what I mean)

Witzend Sun 23-May-21 10:20:52

Dh buys moth traps online - triangular plastic things with sticky inserts that you put in dark corners - they apparently give off some sort of pheromone that attracts them. At any rate, they always catch quite a few.

Bit late for us really, since the little buggers had chewed holes in our carpets before we realised what was going on.
We do see a lot fewer now though.
Shan’t bother replacing carpet until Gdcs are a bit older and past the messier stage, though.

A regular moth killer spray and vacuuming in any dark areas, e.g. behind sofas, does help. They hatch out and lay eggs in spring and summer, so now’s the time to be extra vigilant. Maybe good to spray round the edges of any wool, or largely wool carpet.

Oh, and do store any special woollies - or anything woollen - in plastic bags or suit carriers, with a squirt of moth killer added. I had 2 expensive alpaca cardigans well chewed before I cottoned on to this.

Nonogran Sun 23-May-21 10:31:57

Oh no what a shame. Jf in your carpets it's a hard lesson to learn but as said above, they thrive in dark places. Under the bed including the guest bed, behind & under furniture chest of drawers,sideboard etc.
I tend to regularly stick the nozzle of my Henry Vacuum cleaner all along the perimeters of where carpet meets skirting board. The thought of insects like moths damaging my hard earned home is a complete turn off for me. I'm sure the Grans will be helpful.

Savvy Sun 23-May-21 10:40:34

I use pheromone traps, but by the time you see the moth, the damage has already been done as its the larvae that do the chewing, adult moths just breed!

You need to get rid of the males to break the cycle. No males, no eggs, no larvae, no problem. It takes time and a lot of cleaning to get the eggs once you have an infestation. I'd recommend getting a steam cleaner and steaming all the crevices around the floors, cupboards and windows. Its quicker, and safer than using poisons or sprays.

grandtanteJE65 Sun 23-May-21 10:47:03

Check every single garment, carpet, upholstered chair and sofa!

In other words spring clean.

Until you find where the moths have laid their eggs, you will never be rid of the problem. it is the larvae that eat cloth, not the adult moth.

Anything that looks like cigarette ash in the bottom of drawers, suitcases or under carpets is an indication that ´moths have been breeding.

Washing woolies or putting them in the freezer is fine, but moths don't only go for wool - they eat fur as well and when they cannot find wool of fur for their young to devour, they will settle for velvet, silk, cotton and linen.

Unfortunately, you can't put a carpet in the freezer, so any carpet with bare patches that you know were not caused by chair legs needs to go OUT.

Lollin Sun 23-May-21 11:45:25

If it is carpet problem Lakeland sell a very good spray for dealing with carpet moths (and other areas)