Moths - help!!!!

[Minitoots]

We have seen several moths flying around our flat recently - any advice on the fastest way to get rid of them? We've had occasional ones before (and also carpet beetles) but never this number. Our flat is open plan with exposed brickwork so it's impossible to 'spray' and companies like 'Rentokill' won't guarantee work because of this.

(I hate the smell of cedarwood/mothballs) I've tried lavender and the little sticky boxes that attract moths and then trap them, but nothing has been too effective so far...

[jollybaby]

http://www.eastdulwichforum.co.uk/forum/read.php?5,128126,426867#msg-426867

You're not alone. Think there are quite a few tips in there.

[Carrie]

They could be Indian Meal Moths rather than clothes moths. Check your food cupboards - they like open bags of flour, dried mushrooms etc. If you see any in there or evidence they have been there (sort of cobwebby effect) then clear everything out throw away anything that is open and give it a really good clean. Keep anything like flour etc in sealed containers like tupperware. You can buy sticky traps for meal moths at Dulwich DIY.

[chantelle]

i think it's too early in the year for clothes moths, as they don't really get going until the weather warms up.

do check your grains.

[Bellenden Belle]

Yes meal moths are definitely already around.....we had them last year. They can even drill into tupperware! Literally.

Clear out your cupboards; then look around your walls and all surrounding areas for larva (very small white threads) and then start saving all your glass jars so that you can in the future transfer any open packets into them.

The good news is that I googled and googled and could find no evidence that meal moths actually do any harm (other than making your stomach turn a little at the thought) - they don't carry disease and indeed if you've inadvertantly eaten anything you can just consider it extra protein!

[Minitoots]

I think they are clothes moths as I'm a textile designer and have found them mostly in storage boxes full of old woollen and silk fabrics..

[The Nappy Lady]

Sooo annoying, finally treated myself to a cashmere jumper a couple of years ago & as fast as I darn one hole another appears.

I'm told putting stuff in the freezer kills any eggs but I can't keep it in there all the time. :-(

Back to cheap polyester mix stuff for me I think. Sigh.

[Minitoots]

yes you have to put in the freezer for at least 4 days and that should kill the eggs. Also, ironing helps kill them too...

[BB100]

Hoover any carpet you have 2-3 times a day.

[newgirl]

Yes, freeze to kill the eggs, and wash everything. When my mum had moths we systematically put everything in bin bags and then didn't put each item of clothing back in the cupboard until it had been dry cleaned or frozen and washed. That should get rid of the eggs and deter the adults from laying again as they are less interested in clean clothes. They like any kind of natural fabrics - wool, linen, silk, cotton etc. Carpets can be a problem.

[chantelle]

I keep pretty much all my woolens in the deep freeze, particularly over the summer. We'd just battled them at our old flat when we moved into our (rented) house that is absolutely infested. We've been sprayed three times and now it's winter so they are not apparent but I dread what will happen in springtime.

all you can do is throw out the worst of it, wash everything else and freeze it. We also have hanging moth killers in the closets and traps everywhere. We've caught hundreds of moths. I don't think ironing works very well.

For us, they seem to be in the carpets because they haven't even actually been eating our clothes. I've heard they can also lurk in the dust and debris under old floorboards.

[karter]

Spraying could be really bad for you. I had an expensive pullover that was eaten by moths, we went through the whole place and used a load of these in the house and traps too. All has been clear since. Hope this helps.

[RhTV]

We are producing a new programme for a prime-time slot on Channel 4 which will explore typical pest problems within and around the home. The aim of our programme will be to highlight the important role pest control teams play in maintaining our health and safety, as well as to educate the public about the typical causes of these problems and how to be responsible for their own environment.

The show will use the latest technological innovations to explore each case, as well as fascinating CSI-style forensic evidence. It will provide startling facts and figures, tackle popular myths and will come packed with invaluable consumer information. The series will be presented by Sarah Beeny, presenter of shows such as Property Ladder and Help My House Is Falling Down. Sarah will be backed up by some of the industry?s leading experts and will represent a showcase of talented men and women around the country who are tackling these problems on a day-to-day basis.

We are looking for a 4th story to feature on the show & are very keen to feature a story looking one of the following: clothes moths, cockroaches, pigeons. We are looking for residential problems.

Ideally we are keen to start filming asap. Commitments would entail the homeowners meeting Sarah, the expert who will be treating the problem meeting Sarah & filming during the treatment and after the treatment day. Unfortunately we can only consider problems that have not been treated yet.

If you have anything that you think we may be interested in, it would be appreciated if you give me a call on 0203 189 3410.

Thanks

Zuelika

0203 189 3410