How to stop moths from eating your fur coats | Non-toxic

Real fur is a clothing moth's dream: it is dense animal protein, exactly what the larvae feed on, so a fur coat left in a warm closet all summer is an open invitation. Protecting fur is mostly about cool, breathable storage and keeping moths from ever settling in. You can do it without mothballs or fumes on a coat you want to last.

Why moths target fur

Clothing moth larvae eat keratin, the protein in animal fibers. Fur is packed with it. Carpet beetles will go after fur too, so it is worth knowing which pest you have. Moths are drawn to fur that is stored warm, dark and undisturbed, especially any coat put away with skin oils or scent on it. The larvae feed at the base of the hairs, thinning the pelt before you notice. (More on the how and why: How to get rid of clothing moths and Carpet beetles vs clothes moths.)

How to protect your fur the non-toxic way

Store fur cool, dark and airy. Never seal a fur coat in plastic, which traps moisture and heat and can dry out the hide; use a breathable cloth garment bag instead, giving it room to hang without crushing. For the warm months, cold storage (a cool closet, or professional fur storage) is the best defense, since moths cannot breed in the cold. Keep a Clothing Moth Trap in the closet to catch the males and flag activity. Tuck a Cedar Chips canister into the garment bag with the coat, where the sealed canister repels moths without the cedar touching the fur. Set Cedar Planks on the closet shelf nearby, refreshing both with Cedar Ward as the scent fades. If you suspect a coat already has eggs or larvae, seal it in a bag and freeze it at 0°F for about two weeks, or have it professionally cleaned before storage.

Protect your fur coats

• Store it cool and airy: a breathable cloth garment bag, never sealed plastic, plus cold storage for summer.
• Keep it clean: put fur away free of skin oils and scent, which draw moths.
• Cedar in the bag: tuck a Cedar Chips canister in with the coat (the canister keeps cedar off the fur), with Cedar Planks nearby, refreshed by Cedar Ward.
• Monitor and treat: keep a Clothing Moth Trap in the closet; freeze or professionally clean any coat you suspect before storing.

Related: How to protect wool from moths and How to get rid of clothing moths in the closet.

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