I found a moth. Now what?

[texas_jack]

I found one flying around my bathroom today. I don't know if it's the bad type but is there something I should do right now to prevent them spreading?

 

[korce]

I'm curious to hear the answer to this too. We've got some moths inhabiting our baking (ie flour, sugar, etc.) drawer even after a thorough cleanout. I'm not sure if they're the kind that like wool, but I am a bit scared for my closet if they make their way upstairs. We set up some moth traps which have caught some - but I still see a little baby moth now and then.

Any thoughts on how to keep them out of my closet at least?

 

[gdl203]

Best product in my experience

 

[ville_e]

Originally Posted by korce

I'm curious to hear the answer to this too. We've got some moths inhabiting our baking (ie flour, sugar, etc.) drawer even after a thorough cleanout. I'm not sure if they're the kind that like wool, but I am a bit scared for my closet if they make their way upstairs. We set up some moth traps which have caught some - but I still see a little baby moth now and then.

Any thoughts on how to keep them out of my closet at least?

Why don't you get some moth "poison" from you local store? simple and effective.

 

[82-Greg]

Originally Posted by ville_e

Why don't you get some moth "poison" from you local store? simple and effective.

If the moths are living/breading in your bakery drawer, you will end up contaminating everything with the moth poison. At the probable dosage level it won't kill an adult, but I'd worry about my children.

 

[Tarmac]

If I had insects in my food I would throw it out and start using airtight containers. Like Lock N Lock. I wouldn't try to battle them with poisons.

 

[sho'nuff]

i am wondering if moths and silverfish eat up cotton as well?

 

[Bird's One View]

The moths that eat flour are not the same ones that eat wool.

I have never heard of moths eating cotton. Silverfish might eat cotton, but I have mostly seen them eat paper and cardboard. Some have claimed that clothes moths only eat wet, dirty, or soiled cloth; others that they prefer soiled cloth but will also eat clean cloth. I have had a fur felt hat and a wool area rug partly eaten, plus one single hole in the trousers of one suit. I keep most of my wool things in cotton hanging bags now.

I do not have moth balls around. I have read too many scientific articles about their toxicity. I would rather risk the occasional reweaving expense than breathe poison.

 

[Tarmac]

opening my closet and seeing a pretty little moth flutter out - this is one of my most terrible nightmares. Almost as bad as seeing my shoes float away in a flood.

 

[MrGimpy]

The moths that eat wool are very small--not the ones that you typically see flying about.

Some of the best advice I've been given to keep moths away from wool sweaters is to keep the sweaters clean (moths are attracted to your oils in the sweater, not the wool itself) and in airtight bags/containers.

This site has many more useful tips.

 

[HomerJ]

Doubt it's a clothes moth.. don't freak. Compare your moth to these.

Originally Posted by sho'nuff

i am wondering if moths and silverfish eat up cotton as well?
Silverfish and carpet beetles will, clothes moths won't. Basic advice = HANG (egg laying females crawl) your CLEAN (moths attracted to soiled clothing) garments in a DRY (insects don't tolerate low humidity) closet using TIGHT FITTING (exclude the insects) bags or container. If you suspect infestation, put that container in the oven at the lowest setting (130 F will do) for 1 hour to kill the larvae. This is very useful when returning from travel. Bugs usually enter the home by hitchhiking. I always quarantine my bags, putting them in the oven or leaving them outside in a garbage bag (in cold winter or hot summer). Trust me on the quarantine. You may thank me later... I would avoid using chemicals.

 

[rogerm]

This post is embarrassing. I'm scared shitless of the idea of a moth fluttering out of my closet. A moth! Somewhere somehow I must have left my balls in an ex-girlfriend's purse. Let alone the idea of explaining to my new girlfriend that my only apartment rule is to close the door to my closet, or as I like to call it the "metro-cave".

Now! Now we bring up silverfish. If there was only a smiley icon encountering the grim reaper and soiling himself I would put that up.

 

[texas_jack]

Originally Posted by gdl203

Best product in my experience

Ok, I bought the tin with the two cakes in it and put it in my walk in closet. Does it really take 7 days? I'm assuming I need to stay out of there until then. Is that correct?

 

[gdl203]

Originally Posted by texas_jack

Ok, I bought the tin with the two cakes in it and put it in my walk in closet. Does it really take 7 days? I'm assuming I need to stay out of there until then. Is that correct?

No - you can walk in and out. It's a little stinky but it's no big deal. I don't know how big your WIC is but are you sure one tin is enough?

 

[texas_jack]

Originally Posted by gdl203

No - you can walk in and out. It's a little stinky but it's no big deal. I don't know how big your WIC is but are you sure one tin is enough?

It said two cakes is enough for 43 ft^3.