Advice
Protecting Wardrobes and Carpets From Moths
Clothes moth caterpillars feed on wool, fur and other natural fibres, so regular checks, clean storage and tidy habits go a long way to protecting your belongings.
Read the guide →The checking part is the bit people skip. Adult moths are easy to see, but the damage comes from larvae you will not. Pheromone traps give us evidence rather than guesswork, so we can tell you honestly whether the problem is over.
Three moths, three different fixes
Clothes moths feed on wool, cashmere, silk and fur. Carpet moths prefer carpets, rugs and upholstery, often along edges and under furniture. Pantry moths live in dry food such as flour, cereal, rice and pet food. They all look like small moths, but the cure for one will not help another.
That is why identification matters. In Cullompton we often meet people who have cleared the wardrobe when the real problem was a packet of old food in the kitchen, or the reverse. We look at the damage, the webbing, the larvae and the places the adults gather, and then tell you which one it is.
Newer estates and older streets
Cullompton has an older centre and newer estates, and moths turn up in both. Newer homes tend to be warm, well-heated and full of carpet and soft furnishings, which suits carpet moths. Older properties offer deep cupboards and boxed-in spaces that are rarely disturbed.
Wherever the problem is, the visit follows the same pattern. We inspect, treat the affected areas in a targeted way and explain what to wash, freeze, vacuum or throw away. Small shops, offices and holiday-let owners can ask for the same service, particularly if soft furnishings or stored stock have been affected.
Following up with traps
Traps stay in position for several weeks, and we go through the catches with you. If the count falls to nothing, that is encouraging. If it does not, we know to search further. Around Cullompton we also cover Crediton and Whimple, so if you are in EX15 and unsure what you are seeing, we can come and look.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell pantry moths from clothes moths in Cullompton?
Pantry moths tend to appear near food cupboards and often have a two-tone wing pattern, while clothes moths are plain buff and stay near wardrobes. Webbing in dry food points to pantry moths, and holes in wool to clothes moths.
Can a small business get moth control as well?
Yes. We treat shops, offices and holiday lets when moths affect stock, soft furnishings or food storage. We inspect first, treat the active areas and use traps to monitor, keeping disruption to a minimum.
Is one visit enough for moths?
Sometimes, but larvae can hatch after treatment, so monitoring matters. We use traps for several weeks and look at the results with you. If adults are still being caught, a further look at the source is sensible.