Clothing moth infestations can be a real nuisance, especially when they target your beloved alpaca garments and home textiles. These tiny pests can wreak havoc on natural fibers, causing irreparable damage. At Fluff Alpaca, we understand the importance of protecting your investment in your natural fiber. Here are our top recommended products to help you combat clothing moth infestations effectively.
Contrary to popular belief, it's not the moths that eat your sweaters, but their larvae. The moths lay eggs in your woolen items, the eggs hatch, and the larvae eats hole in the fiber, eventually spinning cocoons (or casings) that you might find in your clothing – longish, spiderwebby, whitish things, although sometimes the casings can take on the color of the garment that's been eaten – weird!
The advice provided in this blog post is not exhaustive and should be used as a general guide. Fluff Alpaca makes no guarantees regarding these products or methods. For severe infestations, it is recommended to consult a professional pest control service. Additionally, some links to products mentioned in this post may be affiliate links, from which Fluff Alpaca may earn a commission at no additional cost to you. As an Amazon associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Clean or Freeze Any Affected Clothing
This is our first step in protecting and disinfecting clothing from moth larvae & eggs. Dry cleaning clothing is the most effective and fool-proof way to kill moth larvae and eggs –but it also can get expensive, quick.
Freezing any potentially compromised item of clothing that a moth, larvae, or eggs may be hiding in is more cost effective than dry cleaning everything and a relatively effective method of sanitizing your clothing from moths. Anything you might even suspect a little should be frozen for AT LEAST 72 hours – although some experts recommend up to 2 weeks.
7.0 Cubic Feet Midea Chest Freezer from Amazon.
This is why you might need an extra freezer. The best part is, when the infestation is over you have more space for keeping your extra grocery items frozen & fresh – a sustainability and budget win! We like the size of this 7.0 Cubic Feet Midea Chest Freezer, because it allows you to store a good amount of clothing without the freezer taking up too much space, especially if you can put it in a garage or basement area.
Pack even more garments into a smaller freezer space with Space Saver Vacuum Storage Bags.
Space Saver Vacuum Storage Bags from Amazon.
Disinfect the Infested Area
Next, disinfect the space the clothing moths have infested (usually a closet). Wipe down any hard surfaces, like shelving and walls, with a disinfectant spray. Make sure to get in the crevices and underneath shelving to get any potential eggs that may be there.
Personally, we like using cleaning vinegar in a spray bottle, but most store bought disinfectant sprays will do.
2 Pack Distilled White Vinegar Jug from Amazon
Full Circle Refillable Glass Spray Bottle from Amazon
Vacuum the Infested Area
If your infested closet, like many, is carpeted, then you absolutely need to thoroughly vacuum the space. A classic vacuum in combination with carpet disinfectant may work, but we like to use one of our favorite household devices, the BISSELL Little Green Cleaner. The combination of deep, water cleaning and suctions makes this a thorough choice for a space where you want the carpeting to dry out quickly to avoid mildew and mold.
BISSELL Little Green Multi-Purpose Portable Carpet and Upholstery Cleaner, from Amazon.
Store Clean Garments in Zippered Canvas Bags
After your garments have been dry cleaned or removed from the freezer and aired out to ensure no moisture has gotten to them during the freezing process, consider zippered canvas storage bags. We like storage bags from natural materials, like cotton, because it allows your garments to breathe without being in danger of future moth infestations.
Canvas Storage Bag with 3-Side Zip Open & Handles, from Amazon
Set Clothing Moth Traps
Full disclosure, we don't believe that clothing moth traps are enough by themselves to halt a well established infestation – they do catch moths and take them out of the reproduction pool, but probably don't catch them all. But they're an important tool in determining if your infestation is ongoing – lots of moths in a trap indicate you still have some work to do. Try and limit yourself to one trap per enclosed space – more than one in a closet can confuse the moths and make them less effective at catching them.
Non-Toxic Moth Traps for Clothes with Pheromone Attractant, from Amazon
Use Cedar Blocks and Lavender Sachets For Future Prevention
Cedar and lavender are both natural repellents effective against clothing moths. Cedar blocks and lavender sachets release pleasant aromas that humans love but moths dislike – it helps hide the scent of the wool from them. Place them in your closet, drawers, or storage boxes to protect your wool sweaters, scarves, and blankets. Cedar not only repels moths but also absorbs moisture, keeping your alpaca items fresh and dry.
Cedar and Lavender both lose their scents over time and will need to be replaced on a regular basis. We don't recommend keeping your garments right up against your cedar or lavender, but nearby. These won't solve infestations, but may help prevent future ones.
Red Cedar Hang Ups, Cedar Balls, Cedar Rings and Cedar Sachet Bags for Closets and Drawers, from Amazon
Lavender Sachet Bags, Fully Stuffed Scented Sachets with Hanger Hooks, from Amazon
Additional Tips for Preventing Clothing Moth Infestations
- Regularly inspect and clean storage areas: Clothing moths thrive in dark, undisturbed places. Regularly cleaning and airing out your storage spaces can deter moths from settling in.
- Avoid storing dirty items: Moths are attracted to dirt and sweat. Always clean your alpaca products before storing them for an extended period, whether it's handwashing with delicate detergent or professional dry cleaning.
