Like a Moth to the Fabric – How to Protect Your Home and Closet
Moth damage on clothing and other textiles is typically caused by the larvae of clothes moths, and not the adult moths themselves. These are not all kinds of moths, and not the big moths that you will see regularly, but much smaller moths. There are two main species of clothes moths that will cause damage to fabrics, textiles and even carpets.
The Webbing Clothes Moth is the most common and notorious clothes moth. The adult moths are a golden color with reddish-golden hairs on top of the head. Their larvae are white with a brown head, and they spin silken tunnels to protect themselves as they feed.
The other species is the Casemaking Clothes Moth. While these are less common, they are significant in the terms of the damage they can cause. The adults have dark spots on their wings.
How to Identifying Moth Damage
The biggest tell-tale sign is holes in the fabrics. These are small (but visible) holes in clothes, particularly those made from natural fibres like wool, silk, cotton, and cashmere. This is because only natural fibres will offer nutritional value to the larvae.
The moths will regurgitate the fibres after consumption, so more often than not the first time the damage is discovered is after cleaning has taken place. So bear this in mind when your cleaner presents the damaged item to you. If it is moth damaged, it’s something that they have discovered NOT caused.
If you look closely at the accompanying image, you will see the natural fibre has been nibbled away, but the interlining (not a natural fibre) remains intact, as it’s not of interest to the larvae.
Also, finding dead larvae or adult moths around clothing storage areas.
Why Does It Happen and What to Avoid?
There are many ways to prevent moth damage to the best of your ability. The first and probably the most important is to regularly dry clean clothes or launder, especially before storing them away for long periods.
When you do store them away, use airtight containers or vacuum-sealed bags for storing off-season clothing.
There are also a range of repellent products available, often containing cedar and lavender. Natural repellents like lavender sachets can deter moths. You can even make your own by growing your own lavender and making sachets out of clean unwanted fabric. Moth Traps can be used to catch adult male moths, helping to reduce breeding, although some consider them to be inhumane.
Clothes moths can cause significant damage to fabrics, particularly those made from natural fibers, they can even affect carpets and rugs. Prevention through regular and thorough cleaning, proper storage, and regular inspection is key to avoiding moth damage. Remember, just because a spillage is invisible, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t clean the item, doing so will save you a lot of stress and money in the long run!
Moth breeding season is generally May to October, so now is the time to check the content of your closets and drawers and prevent damage. To find your nearest GreenEarth Affiliate, visit our Global Store Locator today!