Clothes Moths- aaaaaah!

Factual Questions
1

After seeing, and squishing, the occasional clothes moth for the last year or so, I came back from a trip away to find a thriving colony of them living in my room. They’re eating the rug, and probably anything else they can find. I’m squashing at least 20-30 of them a day, but the numbers don’t seem to be decreasing. I can only assume they have another breeding spot behind or under something that I haven’t found yet.

Is there any way I can get rid of them, bearing in mind that I cannot empty the room, and I need to sleep in here?

I should be able to remove the rug, though it’s massive, and will be a several person job to move all the stuff out of the way that’s on it (I’m not currently able to lift much, after recent surgery), so I can’t do it right now.

Anyone know of anything cheap that will kill/seriously repel moths, but is harmless to humans? I can’t afford to pay for a pest removal service, and frankly, given the value of the stuff they could potentially damage, it wouldn’t be worth it. I just can’t actually go around wearing non-intentional lace…

Thanks for any suggestions.

2

Former Pest tech here,
Looks like a aerosol bomb may be the most effective treatment that you can use, I have provided a link to Wiki, scroll down and you will see treatment options. I would recommend a Pyrethrin/oid(sp?), these break down quickly. You will have to treat at least twice to break the life cycle. I would recomend washing,in hot water, all the cloth items you reasonably can. Open your curtains and let some light in after treatment, this speeds breakdown of chemicals and deters the moths

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Common_Clothes_Moth

As with any pesticide, read and follow the label. IME the general public tends to over treat, ie more is better, do not do this please. All you will achieve is waste and (possibly) residual toxicity.

CAPT

3

Thanks :slight_smile:

I might try the pheromone traps first, as I’ve got pet fish- not in the same room, they’re in the kitchen which thus far is moth free, but it does mean I have to be careful.