{"title":"How to kill clothing moths | Non-toxic","description":"\u003cp\u003eClothing moths are secretive. You are far more likely to find their damage than to catch the moths themselves: a few small holes in a sweater, a patch of silky webbing, gritty specks the color of the cloth. By the time it shows, larvae have been feeding quietly on the wool, cashmere and silk in your closet. Getting rid of them means finding what the larvae are feeding on, treating or discarding those items, cleaning out their hiding spots and breaking the breeding cycle. You can do all of it without mothballs or toxic sprays near your wardrobe.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy killing the moths you see is not enough\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAdult clothing moths are weak fliers that avoid light and movement. Disturb one and it scurries further into a fold of fabric or a dark corner rather than flying toward you. The adults do not eat at all. Their only job is to mate and lay eggs on natural fibers. The eggs then hatch into larvae, which do the damage, feeding on keratin—the protein in wool, cashmere, silk and fur, spinning silky webbing and leaving gritty specks behind. When a larva is ready to pupate, it crawls into a seam, a fold or a corner. So you can spray or swat the odd adult you spot, but the eggs and larvae in your clothes carry on and a new generation emerges within weeks. The real fix is to treat or discard the infested items and trap the males to break the breeding cycle. (More on the how and why: \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/pest-control\/how-to-get-rid-of-clothing-moths\"\u003eHow to get rid of clothing moths\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/blogs\/insects\/do-clothing-moths-actually-eat-clothes\"\u003eDo clothing moths actually eat clothes\u003c\/a\u003e.)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eThe non-toxic way to kill clothing moths\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eStart where you have found damage and work outward. Pull all wool, cashmere and silk from that part of the closet and check the seams, cuffs and folds for holes, webbing or sandy grit. Treat or discard whatever is infested: wash it in hot water at 120°F or above, run it through a hot dryer for at least 30 minutes, have delicates dry-cleaned or seal it in a bag and freeze it at 0°F for about two weeks. Any of these methods kills the eggs and larvae. Next, vacuum the closet floor, shelves and carpet edges to lift out eggs and larvae, then empty the canister outside. Wipe the shelves and hard surfaces with a vinegar-and-water solution and follow with a light spray of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/six-feet-under-non-toxic-insect-spray\"\u003eSix Feet Under\u003c\/a\u003e to catch anything left behind. Once everything is dry, puff a thin, even layer of \u003ca href=\"\/products\/dust-to-dust-non-toxic-insect-powder\"\u003eDust to Dust\u003c\/a\u003e into the cracks and seams with the \u003ca href=\"\/products\/insect-buster\"\u003eInsect Buster\u003c\/a\u003e so anything that returns meets the powder. Finally, hang \u003ca href=\"\/products\/premium-clothing-moth-traps-6-traps\"\u003eClothing Moth Traps\u003c\/a\u003e: the pheromone lure draws in the males and stops them breeding. The traps also work as a monitor, so once they stop catching moths you know the infestation is under control.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eKill clothing moths for good\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFind the source: check keratin fibers like wool, cashmere and silk for holes, webbing and gritty specks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTreat or toss: hot-wash, hot-dry, dry-clean or freeze anything infested to kill eggs and larvae.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClean the space: vacuum, wipe shelves with vinegar and water then Six Feet Under, then once dry leave a thin layer of Dust to Dust in the cracks.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTrap and monitor: hang Clothing Moth Traps last to catch the males and tell you when the problem is gone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRelated: \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/how-to-get-rid-of-clothing-moths-in-the-closet-non-toxic-guide\"\u003eHow to get rid of clothing moths in the closet\u003c\/a\u003e and \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/non-toxic-clothing-moths-control-guide\"\u003eNon-toxic clothing moths control\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eShop non-toxic clothing moth control → browse the full \u003ca href=\"\/collections\/clothing-moths\"\u003eClothing moth collection\u003c\/a\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e","products":[{"product_id":"insect-buster","title":"Insect Buster: Targeted Insect Powder Applicator - Works with Dust to Dust or any Powder","description":"\u003cp\u003eDisperse insect powders with precision using this meticulously engineered bulb duster, saving you time and money on pest control.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dr. Killigan's","offers":[{"title":"8 oz","offer_id":42471887503578,"sku":"IB-SML-08","price":24.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"14 oz","offer_id":42471887470810,"sku":"IB-LRG-14","price":29.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0495\/7952\/4251\/files\/The-Insect-Buster-Bulb-Duster-small.jpg?v=1762439476"},{"product_id":"premium-clothing-moth-traps-6-traps","title":"Clothing Moth Trap (6 Pack) - Double Potent Pheromone \u0026 Glue Formula - Protect Your Closet","description":"\u003cp\u003eTrusted by The Smithsonian Institution and 100,000+ households, these pheromone traps are the leading solution to get rid of clothes moths once and for all. Protect your cashmere and wool without using highly toxic chemicals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c!----\u003e","brand":"Dr. Killigan's","offers":[{"title":"Black","offer_id":37253816844443,"sku":"CMT-BLK-06","price":24.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true},{"title":"White","offer_id":37253816877211,"sku":"CMT-WHT-06","price":24.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0495\/7952\/4251\/files\/Premium-Clothing-Moth-Traps-black.jpg?v=1762439485"},{"product_id":"six-feet-under-non-toxic-insect-spray","title":"Six Feet Under: Indoor \u0026 Outdoor Insect Killer \u0026 Repellant - Fast-Acting (24 oz)","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eOur clean kill formula is a biodegradable blend of active plant-derived ingredients, and it's proven to kill ants, roaches, insect larvae, beetles, moths, flies, fleas, and 50+ other bugs—fast. As if that wasn't enough, Six Feet Under spray provides residual repellent for up to 30 days.  \u003c\/span\u003e\u003cb\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eKills 50+ insect species on contact and residually for up to 30 days.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eYields the fastest kill times among competing brands.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eEasy to use: Point, shoot, celebrate.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSafe when used as directed for people, pets and the planet.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\u003cspan\u003eSaves you money on costly pest management services.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli dir=\"ltr\"\u003e\n\u003cspan\u003eBacked by a 100% satisfaction guarantee.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e","brand":"Dr. Killigan's","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":42795135729882,"sku":"SFU-24","price":24.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0495\/7952\/4251\/files\/six-feet-under-plant-powered-insect-spray.jpg?v=1762439486"},{"product_id":"cedar-planks","title":"Cedar Planks (10 Pack) - Premium Clothing Moth Repellent – 100% Natural Protection","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"c-message_kit__gutter\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv role=\"presentation\" class=\"c-message_kit__gutter__right\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"c-message_kit__blocks c-message_kit__blocks--rich_text\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"c-message__message_blocks c-message__message_blocks--rich_text\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"p-block_kit_renderer\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper p-block_kit_renderer__block_wrapper--first\"\u003e\n\u003cdiv class=\"p-rich_text_block\" dir=\"auto\"\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p-rich_text_section\"\u003ePotent, all-natural, sustainably sourced protection against hole-making moths for your clothes, carpets and more.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Dr. Killigan's","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48179840581850,"sku":"CP-10","price":24.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0495\/7952\/4251\/files\/cedar-planks-main.png?v=1756488874"},{"product_id":"dust-to-dust-non-toxic-insect-powder","title":"Dust to Dust: Dual-Action Kills \u0026 Repels (1 Bottle) - Plant-Powered Insect Powder (10 oz )","description":"\u003cp\u003eEliminate 100+ insect species, including ants, roaches, ticks and fleas with this plant-powered insect powder with leave-behind lethality, yielding faster kill times than diatomaceous earth.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dr. Killigan's","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":43780784881882,"sku":"DTD-10","price":17.97,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0495\/7952\/4251\/files\/Dust-to-Dust-Insect-Powder.jpg?v=1762439626"}],"url":"https:\/\/drkilligans.com\/collections\/how-to-kill-clothing-moths-non-toxic-guide.oembed","provider":"Dr. Killigan's","version":"1.0","type":"link"}