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 →Whether it is chewed wool in a spare room, webbing in a carpet or tiny moths in the kitchen cupboard, we inspect first and explain what we find. We work across Longcombe and the wider TQ9 area.
Where moths hide in a country property
Rural homes around Longcombe often have more storage than town houses: spare bedrooms, trunks, old blankets, taxidermy, rugs and boxes of clothes kept for years. Moth larvae are not fussy about where they feed so long as the fabric is wool, fur, feathers or felt and nobody is disturbing it.
Outbuildings can matter too. An old nest in a loft or eaves can supply dead insects and animal hair that carpet beetles and some moths feed on, which means a problem can start outside the living space and drift inwards. We check these areas when the signs point that way.
How we deal with a moth problem
In Longcombe the visit begins with a look at wardrobes, carpets, upholstery and anything stored. We identify the species by the damage and by the moths themselves. Clothes moths leave irregular holes and silky tubes, while pantry moths turn up in dry food and need a different plan.
We treat the places where larvae are actually feeding, and we give you a simple routine for the rest: hot wash or freeze small items, vacuum edges and under furniture, and store clothing in sealed bags. Pheromone traps are a useful way to see whether the numbers are going down.
Stopping them coming back
After treatment, the most useful protection around Longcombe is regular attention. Check stored items a couple of times a year, do not put away clothes that have been worn without washing, and keep woollen rugs moving and vacuumed. If a stored trunk or box has been damaged, deal with it straight away. We also cover Totnes and Dartmouth, so call if you are a little further out.
Frequently asked questions
Can moths come from my barn or outbuilding into the house?
They can. Some fabric-feeding insects live on old nests, animal hair or stored textiles and spread when the weather warms. If we suspect that, we check the outbuilding and roof spaces as well as the house.
How long can clothes moth larvae live in stored clothes?
Larvae can keep feeding for months in a quiet, dark wardrobe, which is why damage is often found late. Regular checking, washing and sealed storage are the surest way to catch it early.
Is there a way to check for moths without calling anyone out?
Yes. Pheromone traps can show whether adult clothes moths are present, and a torch look around carpet edges and wardrobe corners helps. If you find webbing, cast skins or holes, we can inspect and confirm.