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 →Moths do not discriminate between old and new homes. What they need is undisturbed natural fibre, so the same problem turns up in a period cottage and a modern bedroom. Finding the true source is what separates a lasting fix from a repeat visit.
How moths arrive in the first place
A frequent route into a home is second-hand furniture, charity shop clothing, auction rugs or a family heirloom brought out of someone else's attic. Eggs are tiny and invisible, so a perfectly clean-looking wool coat can bring a colony with it. Once indoors, larvae feed quietly on wool, fur, felt and silk.
Ottery St Mary has an older centre with plenty of period property, and newer estates on the edges. Either way, the places we check are the same: the back of wardrobes, under sofas, along carpet edges, inside blanket boxes and around radiators where fluff and warmth gather.
Our approach, step by step
First we confirm what is flying about. Clothes moths, carpet moths and pantry moths look similar to most people but live very differently. We examine fabric damage, webbing and the insects themselves, then check the surrounding areas to see how far it has spread.
Next, we treat the active areas of your Ottery St Mary home with a targeted approach and explain what to do alongside it. That means hot washing or freezing smaller items, vacuuming rugs and cupboard corners thoroughly, and bagging out-of-season clothing. After that, pheromone traps help us monitor the property and confirm whether any adults remain.
Rural edges and wider cover
With farmland close to Ottery St Mary, some customers also find moths and beetles in outbuildings or stored feed sacks, and we can look at those if they are connected. We also cover Sidford and Whimple. If you are in EX11 and have found damage, tell us what you have seen and we will arrange a visit.
Frequently asked questions
Can second-hand furniture bring moths into my Ottery St Mary home?
Yes, it is one of the commonest routes. Eggs and larvae hide in upholstery, rugs and seams. Checking items before they come in, and keeping new arrivals apart for a few weeks, helps you spot a problem early.
Do I need to throw away everything that has been touched?
Rarely. Washable items can be hot washed, small items can be frozen, and carpets and furniture can be vacuumed and treated. Badly chewed pieces may be worth discarding, but we will tell you honestly what is worth saving.
How can I tell the moths are gone?
Pheromone traps are the simplest check. If they stay empty for several weeks and no new damage appears, that is a good sign. We can look at the trap catches with you and decide whether a follow-up visit is needed.