21:53 16-12-2025
Get rid of clothes and pantry moths: proven home tactics
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Learn how to get rid of clothes and pantry moths at home: remove infested grains, freeze textiles, use herbs and insecticides, and prevent larvae from returning
Even a spotless apartment isn’t immune to moths. They rarely arrive alone: most often they slip in with clothing or groceries, or simply flutter through an open window. Indoors, three household species are the usual culprits—the clothes moth, the fur moth, and the grain moth. Each has its preferred diet, yet all are equally unwelcome and can damage garments or food supplies.
Experts note that swatting the flying adults won’t fix the problem. The real threat is the larvae: they feed on fabric, grains, and dried fruit, multiply quietly, and hide in the hardest-to-reach corners.
Why moths show up in apartments
Specialists point to three main ways moths enter a home:
- They fly in from outside.
In summer this is the most common route—an open window without a screen is enough.
- They arrive with clothing or new purchases.
A new item may have been stored near infested goods, and the adults are easy to miss.
- They come in with grains and dried fruit.
Grain moths often appear in warehouses, and larvae can end up inside packaged foods.
How to get rid of moths: proven tactics
Remove infested grains and wash cabinets
Effectiveness: medium
If moths have moved into the kitchen, the most straightforward move is to discard all suspect grains. It may feel wasteful, but there’s little point in sorting: experts say larvae burrow so deeply that finding them is unrealistic. Once you take everything out, clean the cupboards thoroughly.
Use cold
Effectiveness: high
Low temperatures kill both adults and larvae. Fur pieces, sweaters, and throws can go out on the balcony for a couple of days.
Keep in mind:
- cold helps with clothing, not with food;
- in summer this method is limited—clothes sit in closets rather than in the cold.
Seal items in dense fabric or bags
Effectiveness: medium
Moths do not chew through dense materials such as garment covers, newspapers, or multilayered bags. Before storage, wash the clothes: larvae favor soiled spots and start by damaging stains and oily areas.
Take items to a dry cleaner
Effectiveness: high
Dry cleaning reliably eliminates insects. Proper storage afterward still matters—use covers and keep textiles away from doubtful sources of infestation.
Use herbs
Effectiveness: high
Moths cannot stand strong odors. What works well:
- lavender,
- wormwood,
- rosemary.
Place small bundles in closets or inside garment covers. This will not kill larvae, but it does a solid job of repelling the adults.
Use store-bought products
Effectiveness: high
Available options include:
- scented balls,
- sachets,
- plates,
- gel blocks.
For thorough treatment, specialists recommend cypermethrin-based products. First treat surfaces with an insecticide, then add aromatic products to keep moths at bay.
How to make sure moths don’t return
Experts emphasize that success depends not only on the method you choose but also on prevention. A bit of routine goes a long way.
Follow a few simple rules:
- store fur and wool in protective covers;
- use lavender sachets year-round;
- check grain supplies regularly;
- do not put coats and blankets away without washing them before the storage season;
- install mosquito screens in summer.
Moths dislike cleanliness, low temperatures, and sharp scents—these make it easier to keep the pest under control.