Getting rid of moths

Moths are completely inoffensive creatures that don’t bite, buzz, or sting. Still, finding some in your cereal or in your cashmere sweaters is not something you would want.

Follow these tips to prevent those pests from making your home their home. 

1. Know your enemy

Pantry moths and clothes moths are the most common ones in our house.

According to Orkin entomologist Chelle Hartzer, the pantry variety goes after grains and dry goods. For example, when you come across tiny caterpillars inside your snacks, those are a not-so- pleasant gift from the pupae and larvae.

Clothes moths naturally stay in closets or wardrobes. According to pest management brand Woodstream, these kind of insects can also leave behind excrements that look like large grains of sand.

2. Start cleaning

First of all, throw away any potentially contaminated food and get it out of the house.

Then, as Carolyn Forte, Director of the Cleaning Products and Textiles Labs at the Good Housekeeping Institute, suggests, wash your clothes with hot water and detergent.

Last but not least, vacuum clean everything (i.e. carpets, walls, etc) and thoroughly scrub shelves and walls. Keep in mind that as soon as you’re done with the vacuum cleaner, throw the bag right away as it may contain moth eggs.

3. Clean regularly

Preventing is better than curing, so clean your home regularly: Wipe down surfaces and get rid of dust, fibres and crumbs.

Cleaning regularly will not only prevent you from having moths, but it will also help you get back to a clean and sweet-smelling home.