| Introduction | | | | sterilizing the clothes with dry ice where the |
| Different sorts of fabrics are used for manufacturing | | | | temperature is kept below 18°F. And in heating the |
| of various types of garments. Silk, wool, cotton, rayon, | | | | temperature is kept above 120°F. Treatment of |
| polyester, satin, velvet, linen, etc are some examples . | | | | fabrics by such extreme temperatures destroys the |
| The fabrics are of two types namely- natural fabrics | | | | insects. |
| and man-made fabrics. The natural fabrics are | | | | Prevention and reduction |
| obtained from various sources of nature like wool | | | | These clothes moths harvest mainly on woolen and |
| from sheep, silk from silkworm, cotton from cotton | | | | old fabric scraps. Therefore these items should be |
| plants, etc. These fabrics are prone to breeding of | | | | cleaned regularly and woolen clothes should be |
| insects like moths, fungi etc. on them. | | | | exposed to sun once a month, as the heat of the sun |
| One of the common insect is the clothes moth. They | | | | kills insects because they cannot bear the heat and |
| are of brown color and flat in shape. They generally | | | | light of the sun. Cleaning of woolen clothes by vacuum |
| attach to the woolen clothes and prefer dark | | | | cleaner or brushing them is also a good option. |
| surroundings. Clothes can be damaged even by their | | | | Usage of insecticides |
| larvae. There are many methods through which the | | | | When all other moths control methods prove inefficient, |
| damaged caused due to clothes moths can be | | | | then spraying of insecticides on clothes proves |
| controlled like freezing, usage of insecticide, dry | | | | beneficial. These insecticides containing pyrethrin can |
| cleaning of clothes, etc. Maintaining low level of humidity | | | | be sprayed directly on clothes provided the fabrics |
| level in the atmosphere of the house facilitates in | | | | don't stain easily and are not very delicate like silk, satin, |
| checking out their growth rate. Prevention is always | | | | velvet, etc. Before using them make sure to read the |
| better than cure therefore maintaining cleanliness in the | | | | directions for usage and warning instructions. |
| house and in the closets is the best option. But if | | | | Care for Special fabrics |
| problems increase to an extent then insecticide use is | | | | There are certain fabric items which require |
| the last option. | | | | specialized care and treatment to protect them from |
| Protection inside storage units | | | | the clothes moths, like home furnishings, fur items and |
| When clothes are not stored and maintained properly, | | | | carpets. The best way to protect fur items is storing |
| the chances of clothes moths damaging the garments | | | | them with moth balls, flakes or crystals. Regularly try to |
| increases. It should be made sure that the clothes | | | | air the furs. Do not spray insecticide on them. |
| when kept in the closet should be clean and dry | | | | The rugs and carpets of small sizes could be dry |
| without any trace of insects. Also the closet in which | | | | cleaned. In case of wall to wall carpets insecticides |
| they are kept should be tightly and securely | | | | could be applied on their edges and on both sides. The |
| constructed. Many things like naphthalene balls, closet | | | | amount of spray on upper surface should be less in |
| fresheners, flakes, moth balls, etc. could be kept in the | | | | comparatively in order to avoid stains. Sometimes |
| closets or wardrobes to keep away the moths. These | | | | animal feathers or hair are filled or added to various |
| items should be kept out of reach of children as these | | | | home furnishings. To keep them moths-free they could |
| products are poisonous in nature. They are made up | | | | be treated by fumigation by dry ice or pest control in |
| of chemicals and strong in nature, therefore when | | | | the storage units. |
| these items if placed in close proximity with plastic | | | | Fact tips |
| hangers, bags or buttons could result into their melting. | | | | ▪ The clothes which are more prone to clothes |
| The vapors created by them kill the insects breeding | | | | moths should be dry cleaned at regular intervals and |
| on the garments. | | | | stored in airtight containers. |
| Dry Cleaning and Laundering of clothes | | | | ▪ Usage of cedar wood also discourages the |
| Washing the clothes in hot water is the easiest and | | | | growth of moths, therefore if possible store woolen |
| cheapest way of killing the clothes moths. The fabrics | | | | clothes in cedar chests or trunks. |
| that are washable at home could be cleaned by this | | | | ▪ Immediately clean the food stains from the |
| method. Whereas the woolen and pure silk clothes | | | | clothes as if you leave them it promotes the growth of |
| have to be dry cleaned. Dry cleaning and laundering | | | | moths. Do not spray perfumes on woolen items, but |
| prevents the growth of clothes moths as these | | | | could be spayed on to other fabrics and skin. The |
| insects prefer spoiled unhygienic clothes to clean ones. | | | | strong smells of perfumes don't attract clothes moths. |
| Freeze and heat the clothes | | | | ▪ The house and closet could be cleaned with |
| One of the methods to kill clothes moths is by | | | | vacuum cleaner periodically. |