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 →We cover homes, flats and shops across Totnes and the TQ9 postcode area. The first job is always identification, because clothes moths, carpet moths and pantry moths each need a slightly different approach and a different set of cupboards checked.
Why older buildings suit moths
Totnes has a lot of older buildings in the centre, and those often come with quiet corners that moths like: boxed-in cupboards, gaps under floorboards, old curtains and rugs that rarely move. Larvae feed on wool, cashmere, felt, silk and fur, and they prefer still, dark places where nobody disturbs them.
Shops selling woollens, vintage clothing or soft furnishings can have the same issue on a larger scale. A single infested jumper on a rail can spread to stock nearby, so we look at storerooms, display areas and anything that has been sitting untouched for a while.
What we do on the visit
In Totnes we start by checking wardrobes, drawers, carpet edges, under furniture and the loft if there is one. We are looking for irregular holes, cast skins, silky tubes and the adult moths themselves, which are small, buff coloured and avoid light. That tells us whether this is clothes, carpet or pantry moths.
Treatment is targeted at the places where larvae are feeding, not sprayed about the whole house. We then explain what you can do yourself: hot washing or freezing small items, vacuuming thoroughly, and putting good clothes in sealed bags. Pheromone traps can help show whether numbers are dropping.
Keeping moths out afterwards
Once the problem is under control, prevention is mostly habit. Wash or dry-clean woollens before storing them, keep wardrobes aired and vacuumed, and do not leave old rugs or boxes of fabric untouched for months. Rural homes around Totnes also get moths coming in through open windows in summer, so a quick check each season helps. We also cover Dartmouth and Longcombe if you are nearby.
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if holes in my jumpers in Totnes are from moths?
Moth damage tends to be irregular holes, often in wool or cashmere, sometimes with fine silky webbing or tiny cast skins nearby. Beetle larvae can look similar. If you are not sure, we can inspect the wardrobe and tell you which pest it is before doing anything.
Will you need to treat my whole house?
Usually not. Moths gather where there is untouched fabric, so we focus on wardrobes, carpets, under furniture and storage areas. We tell you after the inspection which rooms need attention and which are clear.
Do pantry moths in the kitchen need the same treatment?
They are a different problem. Pantry moths live in dry food such as flour, cereals and dried fruit, so the fix involves throwing out infested packets, cleaning cupboards and targeted treatment. We can check your kitchen as well as your wardrobes.