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