Have moths started causing damage to your belongings? You might need to use a moth removal service to get rid of the infestation.
There are around 160,000 species of moths across the globe. In the US alone, you can find around 11,000 of them. These winged insects are crucial to the planet as they play a vital role in the pollination process. Belonging to the Lepidoptera order of insects, moths are not terribly dangerous to human health. In fact, many people find them quite pleasing and fun to watch flying around well-lit homes.
Out of the numerous moth species, only a few are ever found in households. Although they are no big threat to your home or your family’s health, a moth infestation is never good.
In case you see them too often on your property, you might want to get rid of them. Professional moth removal is the best option. Nevertheless, you can also take some preventive measures to prevent moths from breeding and snacking in your house.
Moth Infestation
Many pests can cause harm to human health. For instance, a household infestation of dust mites or bed bugs can have adverse effects on the health of your family. However, that is not the case with moth pests. Nevertheless, moths can infest your food, which can have some negative effects. This makes it important to prevent moths.
Furthermore, some people might also be allergic to the presence of moth pupae or larvae in their surroundings. This means some ratio of the total population may experience skin or nasal allergies due to moth infestation in their homes.
More importantly, moth larvae can be a threat to the quality and state of clothing and other fabrics. So, it is safe to consider moths a serious pest that causes damage to furniture, clothes, area rugs, carpets, etc. They are especially harmful to stuff made with natural fabric like wool or silk.
Caterpillars or larvae of moths cause the actual damage as they eat through the items. This can lead to holes where they ate from. Such irreversible damage ruins many expensive items and treasured possessions. So, moth removal becomes a necessary step.
Identifying Moth Infestation
Of course, damage to outfits, toys, and upholstered furniture is the clearest sign of a moth infestation. You are likely to experience damage to items that are not used or cleaned regularly or remain in dark locations.
This is usually since adult moths prefer dark areas for snacking and breeding. On the other hand, moth pupae and larvae develop in fabrics and carpets that are out of sight. Although you are likely to find out about infestation after the damage has been caused, here are some other signs to look for:
- Adult Moth: It is common to see a moth fly into your house during summers. However, you might be able to inspect further if you see small moths resting on the walls in your house or flying around.
- Moth Larvae: Moth larvae look like grains of rice. Some may even have a brown head with an appearance similar to that of cream-hued maggots.
- Moth pupae: You will find pupae in silken larvae threads. These have a range of fibers attached to them.
Get Rid of Moths
While you can prevent moths, many households become a victim of moth infestation. Here are some tips for effective moth removal:
Regular Cleaning
What attracts moths in homes is the presence of dirt and dust. So, you can clean your house regularly to break the fostering environment that had been attracting moth previously. Make sure you pay special attention to any crevices and cracks while you vacuum your house. This will get rid of any eggs.
Cedar Wood Oil
A few years back, mothballs were an effective way to remove moths from closets. While the pesticides in these balls removed infestation, they were harmful to human health. So, using cedar wood fragrant oil is a better alternative to mothballs. You can spray this oil on your clothes and fabric to repel moths.
Moth Traps
Moth traps can trap moths and kill them, preventing them from reproducing and multiplying. These are sticky papers that are covered in moth pheromones for attracting adult moths.
Professional Moth Removal
Moth removal is safe and possible with the combination of the above-mentioned techniques. But it can often be hard and time-consuming. So, getting moth removal services from a company like NYCleaners can be much more convenient. Such services save time and money while also being highly effective and safe for your health.
Moth Prevention Tips
The following tips that prevent moths from making a home in your belongings and house:
Keep Your Storage Areas Dry
Humid and moist surroundings attract moths. So, keeping your storage areas dry at all times makes for a great moth prevention tip. It is best to avoid storing clothes and other household items in areas like outdoor sheds, basements, or garages.
Store Your Belongings in Air-Tight Containers
As already mentioned, moth larvae damage your items. To prevent moths from getting to your clothes and laying eggs, store them in air-tight containers. Make sure none of your materials made of fabric like wool or silk are exposed to the air. Zip them in garment bags and then store them in sealed containers.
Brush Your Clothes after Wearing Them Outside
Make sure you brush all your clothes to scrape off any moth eggs off them after you wear them outside. This way, you can prevent moths from infiltrating or making their way into your closet.
Wash Your Clothes before Storing Them
If you’re not going to wear the same outfit anytime soon, don’t forget to wash it before storing it. It is also best if you let the clothes air-dry under sunlight. This way, you will rinse off any eggs or larvae to prevent moths from growing mature while they’re stored in the dark.
Bottom Line
Although moths are no serious threat to human health, they can cause damage to your personal belongings and household items. A moth infestation is especially bad for your rugs, carpets, upholstered furniture, and clothes.
While you can prevent moths and get rid of an infestation on your own, a moth removal service is necessary in many cases. You can hire NYCleaners to use an effective moth removal treatment.
