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