Moth madness: 6 reasons why traps aren't enough (and how to completely eradicate clothing moths)

Updated on November 21st, 2024

If you're reading this, you're probably battling with the perennial pests known as clothing moths. It’s time to arm yourself with knowledge and tools.

Here are seven tips to help you achieve victory over clothes moths—and vanquish them from your wardrobe and home for good. 

1. Position your traps correctly 

The journey to a moth-free home begins with correctly positioning your moth traps. Random trap placement will not yield optimal results; strategic placement will maximize the chance of catching these pests. Remember, the goal is to intercept these winged invaders on their flight path.

For insights into the most effective trap placement, explore:

• Where do I place moth traps to get rid of moths? 

Tip: Avoid placing traps (aka attractants) near repellents—like lavender or cedar—which can interfere with the trap's effectiveness. If you have cedar chips or scented sachets in the room, remove them or relocate your traps to ensure they work efficiently. 

2. Monitor clothing moth numbers

Setting traps isn't enough; you need to monitor the results. Keep a record of how many moths you catch over time. This ongoing tally will help you understand the scale of your infestation. If numbers aren't decreasing, it's a signal to intensify your efforts— either through additional cleaning or investigating unseen breeding grounds. 

You may unintentionally encourage clothing moth infestations through everyday activities. Learn more about what might be attracting them and how to prevent it:

• 7 ways you're contributing to a clothing moth infestation

3. Implement step-by-step elimination

Many people think that simply discarding infested items, cleaning, and setting traps will solve a clothing moth infestation. Unfortunately, it’s rarely that easy. Without a thorough approach, the problem can escalate as moths continue to lay eggs and spread.

To truly eliminate these pests, you need a comprehensive plan that tackles every stage of their lifecycle—from eggs to adults.

Dr. Killigan’s six-step guide provides everything you need to protect your wardrobe and home:

• How to get rid of clothing moths

4. Know your enemy’s life cycle 

Knowledge of your enemy is crucial in any battle. Clothing moths progress through four life stages: egg, larva, pupa and adult. The real damage occurs during the larval stage, where the moth larvae feed on your clothes. Interrupting this cycle is key to long-term moth control.

For strategies to interrupt their lifecycle effectively, explore:

• The life cycle of a clothes moth 

5. Locate clothing moths: Habits and origins  

Clothing moths thrive in dark, undisturbed areas where they can find food. They often hide in closets, drawers and rarely disturbed storage boxes. To combat them effectively, target these hotspots during your clean-up operations.

For more insights on the common hiding spots of clothing moths and how to effectively target these areas, explore:

• Where do clothing moths live?
• Where do clothing moths come from? 

Remember, the fight against clothing moths is a battle of persistence and precision. Armed with the right knowledge and tools, you can protect your cherished garments and maintain a moth-free home. Dr. Killigan’s is with you at every step—let's keep those moths out for good!

6. Understand a clothing moth’s diet

The diet of clothing moths is often misunderstood. Contrary to popular belief, it's not the adult moths that cause damage to your fabrics, but their larvae. These larvae feed voraciously on materials containing keratin, primarily found in natural fibers like wool, silk, fur and feathers. This feeding can lead to significant damage to your clothing and other fabric items.

For a comprehensive understanding of what clothing moths eat and why they are drawn to certain materials, explore:

• Do clothing moths actually eat clothes? 

Act now and reclaim your home

This article provides you with the essential framework and tools to tackle clothing moths, but true success requires a deeper understanding and decisive action. Use the resources and guides linked here to uncover why moths persist in your home and how to eliminate them for good.

Remember these tips to win the battle:

• Position your traps effectively: Correct placement is crucial. Place clothing moth traps along moth flight paths and away from repellents like cedar or lavender to maximize their effectiveness.
• Monitor moth activity: Keep track of how many moths your traps catch over time. If numbers aren’t dropping, it’s a sign to intensify your cleaning or check for hidden breeding spots.
• Deep-clean and declutter: Vacuum carpets, shelves and baseboards thoroughly. Wash or freeze infested items, and remove or isolate heavily infested belongings.
• Target their lifecycle: Understand and interrupt moths’ four life stages (egg, larva, pupa, adult). Focus your efforts on destroying eggs and larvae, which cause the most damage.
• Inspect common hiding spots: Check dark, undisturbed areas like closets, drawers and storage boxes where moths thrive. Don’t overlook hidden breeding grounds.
• Use the right tools: Start with Dr. Killigan’s Clothing Moth Traps. Trusted by The Smithsonian Institution and 100,000+ households, these traps feature a double-potent pheromone formula for superior catch rates and non-toxic effectiveness.

Dig deeper to win the war

You’ve already encountered some of these essential resources throughout this article, but here’s a consolidated list to guide your next steps. These links break down every aspect of moth eradication and prevention:

• 7 ways you’re you're contributing to a clothing moth infestation – Spot surprising habits that may be helping moths thrive and learn how to stop them.
• How to get rid of clothing moths – Step-by-step strategies to tackle every stage of the infestation.
• Lifecycle of a clothing moth – Key insights to interrupt their life cycle and prevent long-term damage.
• Do clothing moths actually eat clothes? – Discover what really attracts them and how to safeguard your natural fibers.
• 11 tips on how to prevent a clothing moth infestation – Delve into practical steps to safeguard your home and wardrobe from future moth problems.

With these tips and resources, you’re equipped to take control and conquer the problem. Visit Dr. Killigan’s for additional guidance, products, and strategies to protect your wardrobe and home from moths once and for all.

Start your moth-free journey with Dr. Killigan’s