Ultimate Guide on How to Get Rid of Moths As the Peskiest Insects Ever

Signs of a Clothes Moth Infestation

You also need to know how to detect the infestation and which signs of clothes moth to pay attention to.

Clothes House Moths Identification

There are four things you can notice to suspect that your sweet home is moth-infested. They are the following:

• adult moths;
• larvae; 
• damaged items;
• shed skins.

It may be problematic to detect a small moth in house settings. However, you may notice an adult moth, which is typically light brown or beige, flying around the source of light. Nevertheless, you may never know about any clothes moth eggs until they hatch, and larvae appear. It is the most challenging stage because these larvae are always hungry and cause a lot of trouble to your items. You need to check your things for them. These are tiny cream-colored warms with dark heads that can be found in places where your clothing items are stored. They can also crawl across the floor.

You should also look for signs of damage to your clothing or carpets. They may be small holes, discoloration, or thinned fabrics. Since the larvae grow extensively, they often shed, leaving behind their papery skins in the infested areas. You can also notice them to be sure that your home is moth-infested.

All these signs or some of them signal that you need to take immediate steps to get rid of these pests and deter them from your environment for good.

Damage Caused by Clothes Moths

Therefore, clothes moth infestation can cause a lot of damage. The fabric of your clothes can become thin, faded, and shredded. They cannot be worn anymore without appropriate repairs or replacing. Your carpets and rugs may be decolorated and have small holes. 

The household items will not look attractive, so you will need a lot of costs to wash, clean, and replace them. In addition, you will feel immensely frustrated when you get your favorite things ruined.

Common Areas of Infestation for Clothes Moths

You can find clothes moths in different areas of your home such as closets, drawers, attics, basements, and upholstery furniture. 

Finding moths in closet settings is pretty common. You need to check these areas first if you suspect having pests. Check drawers where you store your linen. Be aware of the possibility of attic infestation if you keep your blankets or rugs in the attic. Moths can get there via small openings or gaps in the roof. 

Basements are ideal for moth thriving because they are dark and humid. So, try to never store your natural-fiber things there. Upholstered sofas and armchairs can become a good source of moth feeding, too. Wool and feathers are often used for upholstery, so you need to consider these places attentively.

Signs of a Pantry Moth Infestation

There is one more variety of these pests that feed on food products. Having pantry moths in house environments is rather unpleasant, so you need to know how to detect and get rid of them.

Identification of Pantry Moths

If you want to ensure that you have pantry moths in your household, you can easily identify them by several signs. They include adult moths, their larvae, webbing around food items, and damaged food with small holes or a powdery substance on the surface. You can also detect moth eggs on the product surfaces in your closet or drawers. 

Remember that timely house moth identification is a responsible stage when you want to keep these nasty insects away from your stored foods. If you have seen the signs, take action quickly. Try to store your products in airtight containers or in the refrigerator or freezer if possible. Use repellents and insecticides to get rid of these pests and prevent their appearance in the future.

Damage Caused by Pantry Moths

Having these small moths in house environments can lead to a lot of damage and financial losses. If you prefer to store grains, cereals, dried fruit, and nuts, always check them for the infestation signs. You also have to be attentive to pet foods and bird seeds because these products can also become an object of interest for moths.

Of course, you cannot consume the infested products anymore because they may cause stomach problems, so you will have to throw them out. If the products have webbing, small holes, a powdery substance on the surface, and an unpleasant smell, you will need to replace them immediately. 

You can feel upset and confused about the losses, and treating infested areas can also be costly, so try to prevent infestations rather than get rid of pantry moths.

Common Areas of Infestation for Pantry Moths

You will possibly find pantry moths in different areas of your home. Though the preferable places are pantries and cabinets where your dry food is stored, kitchens where spices, herbs, and other cooking ingredients are kept, basements with their darkness and humidity, and bird seed and pet food storages in areas outside the house like garages or boxes.

Never hope that the problem will vanish on its own. What do you think – how long do moths live? The average lifespan of an adult pantry moth is about a few months. How many new moths can it produce during this time? Your home’s infestation may become rather severe. So, take some action right now.

Hazards Associated with Moth Infestations

You know now that having moths in closet areas is rather unpleasant. However, how dangerous can such an infestation be for your family and pets?

Is a Moth Dangerous for a Human?

No moth infestation is directly dangerous for human health. However, some people and pets can be allergic to shed skin and larvae. They can experience rash and respiratory issues or other allergic symptoms. The buildup of moth debris may cause indoor air pollution. 

You may also be concerned about the unsanitary conditions and lack of proper housekeeping that can influence your well-being. That is why it is essential to get rid of moths as soon as possible. 

Property Damage from Small Moths in House Settings

Nevertheless, the larvae of moths can cause significant damage to your property, including food, clothing, carpets, and upholstery. Anyway, detecting a moth infestation in your household cannot be pleasant at all. 

You may try to discover a moth nest by visible holes and tears in your clothing items, as well as cocoons, webbing, and skin shed in the affected areas. If left untreated, these signs may build up and increase the damage which will result in costly repairs or replacement.