If you've been Zooming in sweatpants for the past two years, it's time to look for moths. Here's what you should do if you come into any
If you're like most people, it's been a while since you've required your grown-up clothes. For the past few months, many of us have been working remotely... years? Is it really that long? Oh my goodness. You might put on your dress shirts for a Zoom call, but otherwise, we're living in a perpetual Causal Friday, giving moths an opportunity to get at all those pants or dresses in the closet.
There are two types of moths that prefer to consume natural-fiber clothing, and once inside your home, they will silently—and often invisibly—start eating your garments like something out of a horror movie. Items moths like dark, undisturbed areas, so the less you wear and wash your clothes, the better. Here's what you can do if you uncover a thriving society of clothing moths in your closets.
Detection of moths
First, how do you tell if you have clothes moths? There are three warning signs:
Moths fly out as you open your closet or drawer. This isn't a joke, and it's rather clear.
Your clothes begin to develop mysterious holes ranging in size from a pinhead to increasingly large coins. These are formed by moth larvae, which munch their way through your garments until they're ready to expand their wings and fly out at you when you open your closet door.
There's a coating of "dust" on the bottom of your drawers or closet flooring that looks like salt and pepper—this is the leftovers of pupae or "cases" where the larvae develop, as well as dead moths.
When those strange holes emerge in their favorite sweaters, most people realize they have moths. Moths like natural fabrics, so it's not uncommon to find a closet or drawer with half of the garments consumed and the other half unscathed. One thing is certain: once you have moths, whatever natural-fiber clothes you store in that closet or drawer will be swiftly destroyed. You must either get rid of the moths or commit to a life of rayon and nylon.
Moths are extinct
While many moth species are declining, garment moth numbers are on the rise. If you opened a closet and an army of tiny, cream-colored insects came out, you shouldn't feel terrible about going to DEFCON 1 and annihilating the enemy. Here's how to go about it:
First, take care of the garments. Take everything out of your closet or drawers and scrutinize each item individually. You'll be surprised at how many holes you find. Repairing moth holes is doable, but not straightforward, and making your pricey items appear like new will be quite difficult. You must decide if moth-damaged clothing is salvageable or should be discarded.
If you don't see any moth holes in an item of clothing, don't assume it's safe—it might be a host to moth eggs or larvae. Before you return the garments to your closets, make sure those little buggers are gone:
Wash the garment in hot water if it is machine washable and dryable. The water must be hot, at least 120 degrees, so you may want to temporarily turn up your water heater. Put them in the dryer, but make sure it's at least 120 degrees inside. If you're not sure, go with another alternative.
The temperature extreme is crucial in this case. If you can't wash your clothing and/or your dryer doesn't provide enough heat, you may put them in the oven at 125 degrees for half an hour or store them in plastic bags and freeze them for 24 hours (or longer if you want to be extra certain). Please keep in mind that if your clothing includes plastic buttons, beading, or other embellishments, you should not bake them since they may melt or distort.
Dry-cleaning, on the other hand (and much, much more expensively), will undoubtedly do the task.
Sequester clothing as they are being treated. Pack them in sealable plastic garment bags to ensure that no ambitious moth gets in after you've cooked their family members to death.
Second, take care of your storage. Your closets and drawers will require a thorough cleaning. Move everything out of the area if you haven't already. Moth eggs find their way into gaps and seams in drawers, floors, and walls. Vacuum all of them thoroughly, going into every seam you can find. Then, using whatever home cleaner you typically use, wipe everything down.
For optimal results, employ a pesticide to guarantee that any eggs or larvae you missed (these suckers are minuscule) are killed, and to prevent subsequent moth invaders from gaining a foothold. Look for pesticides containing pyrethrum or a similar substance, which are usually available in the form of dust (Delta Dust is a popular choice). These pesticides are only effective against flying insects such as moths.
Be careful: these dusts are dusty, and if you just start blasting them into your house's nooks and cracks, you'll end up with a cloud of death. Instead of splattering dust everywhere, put a tiny bit in a container and use an old paintbrush to gently urge it into gaps and seams—and be sure to mop up any spills if you have pets or youngsters who may come into contact with it.
Finally, incorporate some deterrents. Take some precautions to keep your closets moth-free now that they are (hopefully) moth-free. Avoid old-fashioned mothballs—they can work, but unlike Delta Dust, they emit fumes that are just as hazardous for you (and your dogs) as they are for the moths, and they may also damage plastic, putting your garment bags and other closet goods at risk.
Old-fashioned cedar will be beneficial. Moths are repulsed by the fragrance of cedar and other essential oils, so putting some cedar boards or sachets in your closets and drawers will help you avoid a second invasion. Just bear in mind that cedar fades with time, so sand your cedar blocks every now and then to release a fresh aroma, and give your sachets a nice massage every now and then. It's also a good idea to clean out your closets and drawers and rearrange your things. Moths dislike light and movement, so this will deter them if they return, and you'll notice damage much sooner, allowing you to get a head start on a second round of remediation.
Finally, put pheromone traps in your closets. Trapping adult moths won't stop an infestation (there will always be more eggs in there), but the traps will serve as a warning system: if you cleaned everything out and you're still seeing adult moths two weeks later, you didn't do a good enough job, and your clothes are once again an all-you-can-eat buffet.
Clothing moths may cause significant financial and psychological harm, but you can reduce both by being proactive. Alternatively, you may try to persuade them that little holes all over your garments are the new hotness.
#ClosetMoth #Laundry #DeltaDust
SOURCE: lifehacker
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