Moths making themselves at home? Here’s what you need to know
Anyone who’s ever pulled a beloved sweater from the darkest depths of their wardrobe, only to discover it’s developed a smattering of holes since you last wore it, will know: It’s impossible to spot a moth in your home without feeling that shudder of dread.
What’s it plotting; where’s it breeding; has it laid an army of larvae munching silently through every soft furnishing within a 20ft radius right this second? For a tiny insect that couldn’t look less threatening if it tried, moths pack a mighty punch.
Wondering why you keep spotting moths hanging out on your walls or fluttering around your wardrobe, and – importantly – when to worry and what to do about them? We talk to the experts…
You might be spotting more moths right now – but don’t panic
At this time of year, it’s common to notice more moths indoors, but good news – they’re not all the garment-gorging kind. “There are two basic categories: Those that enter the house by accident and are unlikely to cause damage, and those that can breed inside houses, feeding on clothing and sometimes stored food. The former are more commonly seen in summer and autumn, the latter at any time of the year,” explains Dr Chris Terrell-Nield, and entomologist at Nottingham Trent University (ntu.ac.uk). “You are likely to be visited by more of these ‘accidental’ moths in summer, because we often leave windows open at night, and most moths are attracted to light.”
Why do some homes attract more moths than others?
Where ‘accidentals’ are concerned, a number of factors apply here. “This depends on how accessible the house is to night-flying insects,” says Dr Terrell-Nield. “It depends on where houses are, what kind of plants are in the garden and how biodiverse the local area is. Consequently, a city-centre flat is much less likely to attract lots of moths than a suburban house with a large garden, or one bordering semi-natural habitat, such as woodland.”
Talking of plants, these are actually key in your home’s moth-appeal. “Moths are unfortunately attracted to certain plants, so if you’re growing them around your house, you may be the source of your own problem,” says Andy Baxter, gardening expert and MD of InternetGardener.co.uk. “Evening primroses, butterfly bushes, honeysuckles, foxglove, longer weeds and grass will all attract moths. Whether they’re growing outside, near your windows and doors, or if you’ve got some house-planted primroses, you could be attracting moths without even knowing it.”
5 #IconTC All life stages of the moth were present. L to R: Larva, pupation cocoon, cocoon that has been exited, adult webbing clothes moth pic.twitter.com/GTSOldpK6O
— Cardiff Conservation (@CUConservation) October 6, 2017
What about the moths breeding indoors – and ravaging my clothes and carpets?
Dr Chris Terrell-Nield says a few UK species can breed in houses, including “the brown house moth, the case-bearing clothes moth, and the common clothes moth”. The most commonly seen clothes moth is ‘tineola bisselliella’: Adult females are about 1cm-long, silvery brown, and can lay about 40 eggs. “These hatch in a few days, but the caterpillars can live for up to two years before becoming a chrysalis, from which the adult emerges,” Dr Terrell-Nield notes.
“The stage that causes damage is their caterpillar. Unusually for animals, these have the necessary enzymes to digest proteins such as keratin, which is what hair, wool and feathers are made of.
“When an animal dies outdoors in summer, after about a month, all that’s left is skin, hair and bones. The species found on this corpse include beetles (those that can eat your carpet) and clothes moths. So, as far as a clothes moth is concerned, your best woollen dress, cashmere sweater or sheepskin coat is a dead sheep, and thus a suitable place to lay its eggs!” he explains. “Locating a breeding site is helpful, as these moths are attracted to dark places such as wardrobes and draws, where clothes are usually stored. The larvae will eat any natural fibre, so curtains and bedding are equally at risk.”
Is it true we’re seeing more moths indoors?
“There are certainly more reports of clothes moth damage in recent years. This is largely due to our lifestyle. Centrally-heated homes provide year-round warmth throughout the house, which speeds up larval growth, producing more generations of adults. What we wear has also had an impact, since there is a trend towards more natural fibres and fashion clothing often being mass-produced; people often stockpile clothes. Moths also prefer dirty clothes (this adds to the nutritional quality) and love sweat residue. Stores often recommend dry-cleaning for natural fibres, so if people delay taking coats and suits to be cleaned, there is a ready egg-laying site, from which caterpillars can spread to other items.”
So, how can you keep clothes moths at bay?
Dr Chris Terrell-Nield says “the best solution is to make your house as unattractive as possible”. He suggests the following tips:
1. Turn off the heat and open windows in the daytime to allow air to circulate.
2. If you want windows open, draw the curtains and/or turn out lights at night. This will prevent ‘accidentals’ entering and causing disturbance.
3. Shake out your clothing in daylight once or twice a month. This will disturb/dislodge the insects and make you aware of any early stages or damage.
4. Beat rugs and cushions, then hang them out in the sun. Larvae don’t like light and will drop off.
5. Vacuum upholstery and fixed textiles – but put the bag or contents straight into an outside bin, since vacuuming itself tends not to kill eggs or larvae.
6. Use an environmentally-friendly household insecticide in hard-to-reach corners.
7. Wash suspect clothing at 50°C minimum. An economy low-temperature wash may not work. Alternatively, freeze at -18°C for a couple of days.
8. Store rarely-worn clothing in a sealed bag. Moths can eat silk as well as hair-based fabrics, so wrap your best silk clothing in acid-free tissue and store in a breathable bag.
9. Instead of using naphthalene moth balls and cedar balls (which can be effective), why not try a Moth Box (£7.90, totalwardrobecare.co.uk)? This contains a female pheromone and attracts male moths to its sticky interior.
10. Declutter – each time you buy something, take an item to a charity shop or to be recycled.
11. Keep second-hand fabrics in sealed plastic bags until they’ve been thoroughly washed or dry-cleaned. Old furniture, clothes and upholstery can contain moths or their larvae – recognisable as inch-long, silvery threads.
12. If all else fails, call in a pest control company.
Employ some plant power
As well as being attracted to certain plants in and around your home, Andy Baxter says moths are repelled by certain plants too – which can be used in your anti-moth arsenal.
“Moths are repelled by certain types of plants, so your best defence is a natural one. Make life easier and get growing some lavender. The moth repellents you buy from shops often are largely lavender-based, so by growing it yourself, you’re saving a bit of cash and it’s natural too. For extra goodness, take the dried lavender and pop that in problem areas and you’re good to go,” Baxter suggests. “Spearmint is also a great one for achieving the same goal – moths just aren’t a fan of this and will avoid it. Take your spearmint and lavender and place it by windows, doors or any place where the moths are massing.”
The Press Association
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