Clothing Moth Traps FAQsUpdated 8 months ago

Why do moths eat clothes?

Clothing moth larvae love anything that contains keratin, which is a protein that the larvae need to grow. This is why they are attracted to natural fibers - materials like wool, silk and fur contain keratin.

To be very specific, clothing moths do not eat - their larvae do. So once they reach maturity, they are no longer an immediate danger to your favorite silk scarves. Instead, they are busy mating and laying eggs.

Moth larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas to feed, making stored or rarely used items more susceptible to damage. Synthetic fibers and cotton are less likely to be targeted unless they're mixed with animal fibers or are dirty.

How do I prevent clothes moths?

To prevent sharing your home - and clothes - with moths, we recommend regular cleaning and the use of natural repellents.

Clothing moths notoriously hate the smell of cedar. This is why, historically, people have stored clothing in cedar chests or lined their closets in the fragrant, red-tinted timber.

Dr. Killigan has developed an alternative for our modern-day customer: the Cedar Ward Planks. These small slats of cedar, on a handy hanger, offer a natural moth-prevention solution, leveraging the fragrance that is at once pleasing to humans and repulsive to moths. Ideal for closets, drawers or storage boxes, our Cedar Ward Planks provide a simple and eco-friendly way to protect your garments from moth damage.

READ THIS ARTICLE for more tips and tricks.

How do I get rid of clothes moths?

Getting rid of clothing moths can be a challenge; we are here to help! Dr. Killigan's Clothes Moth Traps use potent pheromones to lure and capture the males, thus disrupting the mating cycle.

1. Identify infested areas: Begin by determining where in your home the moths are most active. Clothes moths often target areas where natural fibers are stored, such as closets, wardrobes and drawers.
2. Install the traps: Per the provided instructions, focus on areas with high moth activity. Regularly inspect the traps, replacing them every three months or sooner if they fill up. Consistently checking the traps and maintaining a clean home and clothing storage spaces will help keep moths at bay.
3. Supplement with cleaning: While the traps work to capture adult moths, enhance your control efforts by thoroughly cleaning and vacuuming the affected areas. Launder or dry clean infested clothing, and consider freezing items that cannot be washed to kill any larvae or eggs.

For more in-depth instructions, check out THIS ARTICLE!

How soon will the traps start catching moths?

Clothing moths are shy, and a little bit lazy, when it comes to approaching a female! Once the pheromones from the trap begin circulating, it can take the males a little while to work up the courage to approach. Because of this, we recommend allowing at least 25 days before deciding if Dr Killigan's Clothing Moth Traps will work for you.

The pheromones in our traps reach a 25 ft. radius, and once exposed, the mature males will catch the scent and be drawn in. Refer to your product package for a guide to the most strategic placement of your traps.

Please keep in mind that the traps will only attract mature males. If your traps aren't catching moths, it's possible that you currently only have females and immature males.

Clothing moths follow the life cycle: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. The life cycle may be completed in as little as 30 days or as long as 300 days, depending on food availability and temperature.

If after 25 days, you still have not caught any moths, then the moths you are trying to catch are most likely a different strain or species.

What do clothes moths and larvae look like?

Clothes moths, particularly the webbing clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) and the casemaking clothes moth (Tinea pellionella), are known for their distinctive appearances, which can help in identifying infestations.

Webbing clothes moth: Adult webbing clothes moths are characterized by their uniform buff color and have a small tuft of reddish hairs on top of their heads. They are generally about 7 mm long. The larvae are creamy-white caterpillars up to 1/2-inch long, which may spin silken tubes or patches of webbing as they move about on the surface of infested materials.

Casemaking clothes moth: These moths are similar in appearance to the webbing clothes moth but have dark specks on their wings. Their larvae are known for enclosing themselves in a portable, open-ended tubular case, dragging it wherever they go. This case is made from silk and fibers from the materials they have fed on.

Clothes moths are often confused with pantry moths and other food moths. To get rid of pantry moths, use Dr. Killigan’s Premium Pantry Moth Traps. For help determining which kind you are dealing with, see Dr Killigan's article on the distinguishing features of these varieties.

How do I clean up the Moth Trap glue?

If the trap's glue ends up on your skin, don't worry—it's non-toxic, though quite sticky.

To remove it, apply vegetable oil to the affected area and gently rub it in. Then, cleanse the area with soap and warm water. You may need to repeat this process to completely remove the glue.

When the glue gets on any surface in your home, you can use a few drops of oil and then wash with soap and warm water, just like with your skin. You can also use any standard glue-remover purchased at your local retailer. Please follow directions as indicated by the manufacturer.

We have found that the glue does not easily adhere to fabric. However, in the off-chance that it does get on your fabric or textile surfaces, the use of oil is not recommended. Instead, you can use vinegar, acetone, alcohol, or even certain fabric stain removers. Using a cotton ball, dab the glue with the liquid of your choice. Try to saturate the glue, while avoiding the fabric as much as you can. Dab and rub until the glue is gone, then wash as normal, if applicable.