Finding small uneven holes in your clothes?

The clothes moth feeds on keratin, a protein found in animal hair, nails, claws, horns, hooves.

In nature, the clothing moth has a real ecological role : it bio-degrades these parts of animal corpses. The clothing moth is found in bird nests, which are lined with animal hair.

At home, the moth is also very naturally crazy about this keratin, present in natural fibers, that is to say in your clothes of the finest quality : linen, silk, oldest boy, cashmere, fur. But she also likes sweat and dark corners.

Your pullovers, but also rugs, curtains and your sofa: the clothing moth loves almost all of your textiles.

Clothes moth, its larva

It's here clothing moth larva, which is harmful to the latter: so many small white grubs black-headed glitters hatched from an egg of less than a millimeter, which nest and feed on it.

Become butterfly, the moth only lives for a fortnight. Except that during this brief existence, she lays an average of a hundred eggs, which hatch after ten days!

How do you know if you have moths at home?

The trilogy is unequivocal: small irregular holes in your clothes, small butterflies precisely in the room where your clothes are stored, larvae in the corners of a cupboard or drawer. You have clothes moths.

Your accommodation is very heated and your clothes are confined: moths love it, which gives you one more reason to lower the heating and ventilate your home well.

Moths also food present in sweat: never store previously worn clothes with clean clothes.

Photo of a moth

Clothes moths: effective treatment

Start by getting rid of your clothes with holes because they have become real moth inns!

Then wash your dressing room: over 60 degrees for your clothes that support it, placing them in the freezer for three days before washing them for those that are fragile.

Clean up thoroughly your cupboards, wardrobes and drawers.

Prepare a natural moth repellent of White vinegar, soapy water and cedarwood essential oil: thoroughly wash your storage with a clean sponge soaked in this mixture.

Let dry well and air out.

Store in airtight covers, the clothes you wear infrequently. And shake your clothes regularly, if only by getting into the habit of moving the hangers: moths hate being disturbed.

Our grandmother's remedies for moths

Always stock your clothes closets withnatural moth repellents.

These are the cheapest and the most effective, here are some examples of natural moth repellent:

• of cloves ,
• of pencil shavings (just sharpen a pencil),
• of skins lemon dried,
• of the lavender in an old nylon stocking,
• of leaves of laurels dried in a handkerchief.

The soap is also an excellent natural moth repellent: you can choose from small pieces of Aleppo soap or else from Marseilles. Note that bleach has no effect on moths.

Finally, iron your clothes : Moths do not survive water vapor. 

Clothing moth traps

The short life of an adult moth is entirely focused on reproduction.

Hence the moth traps that use pheromones (sex hormones) to attract males to a glue-covered surface and prevent moths from reproducing.

Advantages, these traps are non-toxic and odorless (important for clothing). You will find some with a hook, to hang in your wardrobes.

Moths on clothes, which essential oils to use?

The moth abhors fragrant plants. Here too, there is a choice: cedar of course, but also eucalyptus, thyme, lavender, lemongrass, rosemary, mint.

Clothes moths: what is the danger?

Clothing moths do not represent no danger to health : in some cases, they can causeasthma, but it is rare.

On the other hand, chemical moth repellents should be avoided, as they are harmful to health.