Home moth - a real thunderstorm of wardrobes, carpets, curtains and other textiles.
Insects willingly lodge in apartments, spoiling favorite things and very quickly breeding.
Volatile individuals are not dangerous, but a tiny silver-beige butterfly, which appeared in a room in the middle of winter, signals that it is time to take the most drastic measures to evict uninvited tenants.
Mole wardrobe: signs and differences
Clothes, home or furniture moths are home pests of the order Lepidoptera. It is also called clothing, fur coat, carpet. Insects belong to a large family of real moles, differing in size, area of settlement and eating habits.
At home, there are different types of moths: clothes, fur coats, food and others (more on the fight against food pests). Butterflies are slightly different in color and size, the caterpillars are almost indistinguishable from each other.The adult clothes moth has a rather inexpressive appearance.
What does a mole look like eating a fur coat? A small insect painted in beige and silver color., narrow wings are abundantly covered with fringe, whitish hairs are noticeable on the head.
The moth practically does not fly around the room, it can be detected by accidentally disturbing the habitat.
Adults females prefer to hide in the folds of cloth and piles of thingspreparing for breeding. In secluded nooks the mole lays eggs, from which caterpillars hatch, causing the main damage to textiles. The fast-growing caterpillars have a well-developed mouth apparatus of the gnawing type, which allows them to quickly undermine textile fibers.
Under natural conditions, this species of moles feeds on animal hair, plant fibers, and bird feathers. The caterpillar ration in the apartments is much richer. Any textile, fur products, various fabric pads in furniture, animal bristles become their prey..
Looks like clothes moth you can see in the photo below:
How to save clothes: preventive measures
Moth attracts worn clothes with traces of sweat and greasy secrets. That is why holes and scuffs often appear on cuffs, collars and other places that are in close contact with the skin.
The main measure of prevention - frequent washing and cleaning clothes. Dirty clothes should not be stored in the wardrobe. Attracted by the smell of the greasy secret, the mole will spoil not only them, but also clean clothes hanging in the neighborhood. Things need to be washed frequently or periodically dry-cleaned.
Careful cleaning is also needed for seasonal clothing and accessories, sent for long-term storage: fur coats, coats, jackets, hats, and felt boots.
Periodically, you need to clean fur gloves, shoes, fabric bags or fur.
Some dry cleaners offer an additional service: non-toxic anti-mole impregnation, valid for several months.
Protecting clothes will help and frequent cleaning inside the cabinet. At least 1 time per season wardrobe to sort out. Moth loves nookswhere fresh air and sunlight do not enter.
It is important to often shift clothes folded: sweaters, cardigans, scarves, warm tights. Clothes on hangers should not hang too tight., between products need to leave gaps for ventilation. When sorting out your wardrobe, it is recommended to shake things, it is better to do it outdoors.
Wool items useful hang out in the hot summer sun. Bright rays negatively affect the eggs of the moth and kill the hatching caterpillars. Frost has a similar effect. Hanging fur coats, coats and suits on the balcony in sub-zero temperatures helps to prevent the appearance of clothes moth.
Stable low temperatures kill the moth larvae, the fur longer retains an attractive appearance, does not fade and is not covered with dust.
Coats for moth coat: an effective measure of protection
Protect clothes will help covers - an excellent moth repellent for the fur coat. They are needed for seasonal clothes made of drape, blended fabrics and furwhich is particularly fond of moths.
Covers, fur coats, jackets, suits and dresses are removed in cases, they are suitable for transportation, protect clothing from dust.
Products can be purchased at hardware stores (for example, the Raptor brand), the best options for storing valuable mink and sable fur coats are offered in specialized fur stores.
The best covers are made of modern synthetic materials that do not interfere with normal air exchange. They are sealed with a zipper or Velcro tape.
Products can be impregnated with deterring agents. Such covers are very effectivebut antimolar impregnations are toxic and not suitable for allergy sufferers.
Impregnated products should be protected from children and pets. In the closet, clothes packed for storage should be placed so that it does not touch other things. It is advisable to take a separate section under it. Impregnated antimol covers remain effective up to 12 months.
An alternative could be a product made of thick cotton or thin plastic.A convenient case can be made by hand.
Self-made cases should be washed every year after the storage season ends. From the inside, they can be treated with aerosol preparations that repel moths. At home, it is better to use odorless drugs. They irrigate not only the covers, but also the walls of the wardrobe.
Watch the video on how to properly prepare a fur coat for storage:
Methods of struggle: modern and folk
How to get rid of moths in the closet with clothes? Moth larvae and adult butterflies, about to lay eggs, do not like the harsh aromas of citrus and lavender.
In the closet, fresh orange or tangerine peels should be laid out, which will have to be changed often.
An alternative would be orange, mandarin, lemon or grapefruit essential oil. Strips of cloth soaked in oil are placed in covers with clothes and on the shelves of the wardrobe.
Helpful unfolding sachets with dried lavender in a cupboard. Dried blossoms for a long time retain a recognizable sharp aroma. In order to activate volatile substances, from time to time sachets need to be crushed in their hands.
If natural fragrances are not at hand, will help fragrant soap. Pieces in cardboard packaging or without it are laid out in different places of the wardrobe, periodically replacing with fresh ones. The only disadvantage of this method is the perceptible aroma that permeates things.
Strong-smelling agents effectively scare away the adult mole, but they are incapable of influencing the behavior of already hatched larvae. Apply fragrances and sachets only after thorough disinfection of the wardrobe..
More modern option - fumigators. In the device connected to the outlet, placed plates. When heated, they activate volatile substances that are safe for humans and domestic animals, but kill the larvae and the adult mole.
How to protect a fur coat from moths?
Fur products threaten kozheedy, fur coat moth. But also ordinary wardrobe is not indifferent to fur coats, hats and collars.
Insects are especially not indifferent to short-fur fur: astrakhan, tsigeke, mink. Moth can damage and lining, leaving holes on it. Noticing the slightest signs of the appearance of pests, you need to urgently take steps to save your favorite coat.
The fur coat ate moth, what to do? The product is removed from the wardrobe and placed on a wide hanger. The best thing put a fur coat in the cool room: on the glazed loggia or veranda. At first the brush is brushed outside and inside. Then you need a fur coat shake wellby removing the larvae and moth eggs.
Fur coat copiously sprayed with repellentdesigned to destroy the moth larvae.
For home use, odorless or neutral lavender fragrances are suitable. Choose drugs with minimal toxicity.
It is better to carry out the work with gloves, protecting the airways with a gauze bandage. Not only the top of the fur coat is processed, but also the liner and the inside of the sleeves.. Carefully sprayed the area under the collar or hood, cuffs, decorative elements, folds.
Do not use repellents that have expired, they are practically useless. You can not use multiple tools from different manufacturers simultaneously, many drugs are not combined with each other, forming a harmful vapor.
After processing, the fur coat is left for half an hour, and then placed in a sealed case with anti-mole impregnation.. It is better to leave the product outdoors for 1-2 days, and then put it in a separate section of the cabinet. Before placing the fur coat in the wardrobe, it is necessary to treat the walls and shelves with repellents and ventilate thoroughly.
Near the fur coat should not be placed products made of woolstored without covers. From the section where the fur is stored, it is better to remove felt boots, yarn stocks and other products that attract the mole.
Completely destroy the clothes moth is very difficult. However, timely preventive measures taken, hygiene and attention to your own wardrobe will help to keep clothes intact. It is important to remember that it is easier to prevent pests from occurring than to make them leave your home for good.
