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1 How to Get Rid of Moths in Your House

How to Get Rid of Moths in Your House

Have you ever pulled out a winter coat from the back of the closet, only to find moths fluttering out—or worse, chewed-up holes in your favorite sweater? If you live on Florida’s barrier islands from Cape Canaveral to Vero Beach, you’re not alone. Moth problems in closets are more common here than most homeowners realize, thanks to our warm, humid climate and abundance of natural fabrics in coastal homes.

At Pest & Lawn Organic Guard, we specialize in helping our neighbors in Brevard and Indian River Counties eliminate closet moths (and their damage) for good—with solutions that actually work and don’t rely on old-school mothballs or toxic fumes. Let’s break down exactly how to identify, treat, and prevent moth infestations in your home.

Clothes moths resting on a wool sweater with a large hole chewed through it – classic sign of a closet moth infestation. — Two clothes moths on a wool sweater with a visible hole from fabric damage

Why Are There Moths in My Closet?

Closet moths, usually Clothes Moths (Tineola bisselliella), are drawn to materials that contain keratin—a natural protein found in wool, cashmere, silk, feathers, and even leather. That’s why your most expensive garments tend to be the ones they target first.

Here on the coast, homes with elevated humidity are especially susceptible. These moths can enter through windows, doors, or even hitch a ride on used clothing or furniture. Once inside, they lay eggs in dark, undisturbed areas like closets and drawers. Within weeks, the larvae hatch and begin feeding on your stored fabrics.

Sometimes, we even see silverfish nesting in closets here in Florida, especially in coastal homes with moisture issues. They’re another fiber-chewing pest that thrives in humid conditions—but controlling the humidity usually knocks them back quickly.

Pair of mating clothes moths on a wall, a common sign of infestation in closets

Clothes Moths vs. Pantry Moths: Know the Difference

Before you launch into treatment, it’s important to figure out what kind of moth you’re dealing with.

🧥 Clothes Moths:

Tiny (1/2 inch long), with golden-beige wings
Weak fliers, often hiding in dark corners
Leave behind larvae, webbing, and holes in clothing

🥣 Pantry Moths (Indian Meal Moths):

Slightly larger with grayish wings and coppery tips
Found in pantries, not closets
Larvae infest grains, flour, and dry goods

If you’re seeing damage to clothing, linens, or stored fabrics—and not food—it’s likely Clothes Moths.

How to Get Rid of Moths in the Closet (Step-by-Step)

Here’s a simple yet powerful game plan to eliminate moths and protect your wardrobe:

✅ Step 1: Find the Source

Start by identifying the infested items. Moths lay eggs where there’s food (keratin-rich fabric), so check wool sweaters, scarves, feathered items, and even pet bedding. If you spot larvae or silky webbing, seal the item in a plastic bag immediately.

✅ Step 2: Remove and Isolate Everything

Clear out your entire closet—even things that look untouched. Assume eggs or larvae may be hiding in the seams or folds. Place everything into sealed bags or plastic bins. Don’t give them a chance to spread.

✅ Step 3: Deep Clean the Closet

Now it’s time to scrub and vacuum like you mean it. Use hot soapy water to wipe down shelves, floors, baseboards, and corners. Pay attention to cracks, drawer tracks, and light fixtures. Then vacuum thoroughly, and be sure to empty the vacuum outside of your home to prevent re-infestation.

✅ Step 4: Use Targeted Moth Traps

Place clothes moth traps in your closet to catch adult males. These traps use pheromones to lure moths in, breaking the breeding cycle and helping you monitor the infestation level. We recommend keeping a few traps in your closet year-round in Florida homes, especially along the coast.

✅ Step 5: Treat Infested Items

Depending on the severity of the infestation:

Freeze delicate items in sealed bags for at least 72 hours to kill larvae.
Wash clothes in hot water and dry them on high heat if possible.
Dry clean wool, silk, or specialty fabrics.

Some natural repellents like cedar and lavender can help deter moths from returning, but they’re best used after you’ve eliminated the problem—not as a standalone treatment.

✅ Step 6: Dehumidify Your Space

Closet moths thrive in warm, humid environments—sound familiar? In homes along the barrier island, excess humidity is a constant battle. Consider placing a small dehumidifier or moisture absorber in your closet. Not only does it help prevent moths, but it also discourages silverfish and mold.

Need Help from a Local Moth Control Pro?

If you’ve followed all the steps and still notice fluttering moths or recurring damage, it may be time to call in a professional.

At Pest & Lawn Organic Guard, we’ve helped countless homeowners from Satellite Beach to Sebastian, including Indialantic, Cocoa Beach, and Vero Beach, eliminate moth infestations for good. We use eco-conscious, targeted treatments that are safe for your family and pets—but tough on pests.

Whether it’s a one-time closet moth treatment or full-home pest protection, we’re your locally owned and veteran-operated solution for Florida’s coastal pest problems.

Say Goodbye to Moth Damage—Permanently

Closet moths don’t have to ruin your favorite clothes or make you dread opening the wardrobe. With the right mix of deep cleaning, preventative traps, and climate control, you can reclaim your closet and keep your fabrics safe year-round.

And when in doubt? Call the pros at Pest & Lawn Organic Guard—your trusted pest control team on Florida’s barrier island.

📍 Proudly serving Cape Canaveral, Cocoa Beach, Melbourne Beach, Indialantic, Satellite Beach, Vero Beach, and everywhere in between.

🪰 Bonus Tip:

Rotate your closet every season and vacuum the base of your closet monthly—especially if you store wool, cashmere, or vintage items. Moths hate movement and light.

Need fast help with moths or other pests in your home?
📞 Call or text us today at 321-704-0434 to schedule a quick, no-pressure consultation.

🦋 Closet Moth Control: Frequently Asked Questions

📌 General Questions About Closet Moths

Closet moths—typically webbing clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella)—are small, light-colored insects that feed on natural fibers like wool, cashmere, silk, and feathers. They’re attracted to dark, undisturbed areas with a food source and often sneak in on secondhand goods or stored items.

Signs include:

Irregular holes in clothes (especially wool or silk)
Silky webbing or larvae casings in corners and seams
Adult moths flying when the closet is disturbed
If you see any of these signs, act fast—moths reproduce quickly in undisturbed areas.

🧼 Treatment & Removal

Here’s a proven natural approach:

Remove everything from the closet.
Seal infested items in bags and freeze them for 72 hours.
Clean the closet thoroughly—vacuum, sweep, mop, and scrub cracks and corners.
Wipe down surfaces with a vinegar or essential-oil-based cleaner.
Use cedar spheres or sachets with lavender, thyme, or rosemary for repellent power.
Place pheromone moth traps to stop breeding.

To achieve long-term results:

Deep-clean affected areas and discard infested items.
Freeze or dry-clean susceptible garments.
Store clean clothing in airtight plastic bins or vacuum-sealed bags.
Use long-term pheromone traps and replace them every 6–8 weeks.
Regularly inspect closets, especially during spring and fall when moth activity spikes.

A single moth may only live 15–30 days as an adult, but the full lifecycle—egg to larva to adult—can span several months. In ideal conditions, moths can reproduce for generations in the same closet, causing damage for years if undetected.

Replace pheromone traps every 4–8 weeks depending on manufacturer instructions and level of infestation. Saturated or expired traps become ineffective and won’t lure males properly, allowing mating to continue.

🧺 Prevention & Storage

Natural repellents like cedar, lavender, rosemary, thyme, and mint work well. Use:

Cedar blocks or spheres in drawers and shelves
Sachets of herbs in garment bags
Airtight plastic bins for wool, silk, or leather items
Vacuum-sealed bags for seasonal clothing

Yes—lavender, cedarwood, and clove oils are commonly used. Add a few drops to cotton balls or fabric sachets and replace them every few weeks. Just avoid direct contact with clothing, as some oils can stain.

Mothballs can work but contain toxic chemicals like naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. These are harmful to humans and pets and should never be used in open living spaces. Natural options like cedar and herbal sachets are much safer for closets.

🛑 Closet Moths vs. Other Pests

No—pantry moths (e.g., Indian meal moths) infest food products like grains and flour. Clothes moths target natural fibers. If you see moths near your clothes and holes in garments, it’s a closet moth issue.

No. Clothes moths do not bite or sting. The damage they cause is entirely from larvae feeding on fabrics.

Closet moths are sometimes mistaken for:

Silverfish, which also damage fabrics and paper but are fast, wingless, and silvery.
Swarming ants or swarming termites, which emerge in large numbers and are often seen near windows or lights. If you’re seeing flying insects and aren’t sure, it may be one of these other pests.

🐾 Pantry Moths & Stored Food

Yes—old or improperly stored pet food is a major attractant for pantry moths, especially Indian meal moths (Plodia interpunctella). These pests lay eggs in dry goods like kibble, bird seed, or rodent feed. If you’ve got an open bag of pet food in the garage or closet, it could be ground zero for an infestation. Always store pet food in sealed, airtight containers—and clean up spills quickly.

Definitely. Pantry moths thrive in dry, organic materials like pecans, rice, grains, dried fruit, flour, spices, and even tea bags. If a bag of shelled pecans or trail mix sits too long in a warm cabinet, it could become infested. Always inspect bulk goods and transfer long-term dry storage into airtight glass or hard plastic containers. Don’t forget—pantry moths are very different from closet moths, which feed on fabrics like wool and cashmere.

🧠 Bonus Tips & Insights

Yes. Moth larvae can infest rugs, upholstered furniture, and blankets—especially in dark, quiet places. A thorough home inspection is wise if you find moths in one room.

Possible reasons include:

Unwashed clothing with sweat or food stains (moth larvae love protein)
Gaps or cracks in walls and baseboards where eggs are hidden
Bringing home infested items from thrift stores or estate sales

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/UW518

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/topics/moths

https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IG090

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How to Get Rid of Moths in Your House

Why Are There Moths in My Closet?