Deterring Moths with Nature

How to prevent moths in your wardrobe

The joy of summer is upon us with flowers blooming and birds chirping again. However, these longer days and warmer weather should serve a reminder that this is the season that clothes moth numbers will also bloom but don’t let this dampen your spirits; we have been learning a thing or two from the all-natural moth deterrent brand, Total Wardrobe Care.

With a name like ‘clothes moth’ you can be forgiven for thinking that these pesky creatures are only a wardrobe issue, but this is simply not true. Clothes moths are not specific to garments and if left untreated can become a problem for products all over the home.

It is actually the clothes moth larvae that do the damage as they feed on natural material such as hair and wool, cashmere, silk and cotton. Natural fibres contain a specific protein called keratin which the larvae convert into useful nutrients. Those who have battled clothes moths before, will understand the distress it can cause. Understanding what clothes moths eat can be the first step to help you formulate your clothes moth eradication plan!

How to stop moths eating your wool garments

1. Remove the food source. Moths feed on the protein keratin which is present in natural fibres but also found in food residues and bodily secretions like sweat, as well as human hair and skin cells that shed on the clothes we wear. Dust provides a source of keratin too. Keeping things clean removes their food source so following basic steps like only putting clean items back in your wardrobe and vacuuming regularly even inside your wardrobe to keep dust at bay, are simple, achievable measures.
2. Use a physical barrier. A useful way to stop moth larvae eating your clothes is to store them in protective storage bags to keep your clothes protected from both them and the dust they would find appealing. A tightly woven clothes storage bag is advised over a plastic storage box so that the clothes can breath and stop them from becoming musty and sweaty.
3. Create an invisible barrier with fragrance. Adult clothes moths are repelled by strong aromas and this will deter them from choosing the treated item as an egg laying site. In fact, the ancient Greeks would put lavender between their sheets to ward off insects (although lavender alone will not deter clothes moths).

Total Wardrobe Care create all-natural, moth proofing and prevention products using a unique blend of 8 essential oils. After 5 years of research and development, founder Julia Dee took her repelling herbs to a perfumier in Hampshire, who then created three sophisticated fragrance blends that we like, but the moths hate!

Our top 3 Total Wardrobe Care products:

Moth Decoy

The moth decoy is a small tablet made of carnauba wax micropowder infused with pheromones of the female moth. As the powder is released into the air it attracts nearby male moths. When male moths come into contact with the electrostatic powder it sticks to the antennae blocking its receptors and confusing the moth. Instead of searching for female partners, he spread the powder across the house, attracting other males into confusion. As the moths fail to breed, the lifecycle is interrupted and overtime this can drastically reduce moth numbers.

Moth Trap Box

One of the most simple, yet effective anti-moth products has to be the moth trap box. The Moth Trap Box can monitor and resolve your moth infestation. The adhesive board in the moth trap attracts and catches males moths by releasing the female pheromone. The moths stick to the adhesive and eventually die, helping to break the breeding cycle. These can last up to 12 weeks and can be refilled without purchasing the whole box again.  Total Wardrobe Care’s moth trap boxes are made from the natural pheromones making it harder for the moths to become immune to.

Chrysanthemum moth killer spray

This environmentally friendly natural insecticide (no organo-chlorine pesticides, no synthetic materials, and no harmful synergists such as piperonyl butoxide) should be used within your wardrobes, and to treat soft furnishings, curtains, pet beds and carpets to kill moths, eggs and larvae.

The active ingredient ‘natural pyrethrum’ is extracted from the flowerhead of Chrysanthemums. When pyrethrum comes into contact with the insect, it penetrates the insect’s body surface and kills it.

Prevention is always better than cure. So, once you have got rid of the moths (or before you have them), it is a good idea to invest in some hanging sachets or drawer sachets. We have teamed up with Total Wardrobe Care during our Wool & The Environment month of June to offer you a discount code of 15% (valid until 31 July 2023).

Please use the code wool15 at the checkout when purchasing from www.totalwardrobecare.co.uk/shop AND don’t forgot to enter our giveaway on Instagram for the chance to win a free bundle packed with their anti-moth products!

Please note ‘wool15’ is valid until 31 July 2023, it can be used once per customer and cannot be used with any other promotional code or against sales items. It cannot be used to purchase Fridja Steamers or any of our product subscriptions.