Moths will be breeding again in August – there’s one way to stop them | Personal Finance | Finance
As summer temperatures soar, our homes become a playground for moths, with these pesky insects thriving in the heat and laying countless eggs throughout our abodes. The damage can be costly, as unsuspecting homeowners may later discover their stored clothing riddled with holes, courtesy of moth larvae feasting away in drawers and cupboards.
Come August, it’s time for moths to breed once more, and according to experts, now is the moment to take action to safeguard your wardrobe. One surprising tip?
Make some room in your freezer.
The culprits behind the destruction of our beloved woollies are two particular species: the webbing, or common clothes moth, and the case-bearing clothes moth. With warnings from experts about the dual breeding seasons of these insects, expect an influx of larvae in the upcoming months of August and September.
Lulu O’Connor, a guru in garment care and the brains behind The Clothes Doctor, has shared her wisdom on how to maintain and store your cherished wool items, reports Wales Online.
Lulu advised: “Dirty knitwear left for a long time in the dark recesses of a messy wardrobe is a haven for moths. The telltale sign of moth damage is a hole, so check all your stored clothes. Vacuum and clean drawers and wardrobes to clean out any residual moth larvae.
“Put woollen garments away clean – they will be less attractive to moths. Fill a basin with cool water and add 2-3 caps of a pH-neutral detergent.”
Lulu advised: “Turn your garment inside out and gently submerge it, agitating the water with your hands to distribute the soap. Be careful not to pull and stretch the fabric at this stage, as this may misshape your garment. Leave it to soak for up to 30 minutes.
“Rinse with cool, fresh water and then gently press between your hands to remove water. Remove excess water from your wool jumper with a towel, then leave your garment to dry flat in an airy space out of direct sunlight. Hanging it can cause the fibres to stretch under the weight of the garment, especially with thick knitwear, like sweaters.”
Lulu further revealed: “Freezing is an alternative method that is both odour and chemical-free to protect knitwear from moth attack. Place your garments in air-tight moth-proof bags and tightly seal, pressing out any air from the bag. Freeze garments for at least 48 hours, and up to two weeks for full effect. Kirstie Allsopp apparently has a dedicated freezer for keeping her scarves in!”
