The weather’s warming up, the flowers are coming out and unfortunately, so are the moths. Springtime – usually from May onwards – is when these insects start breeding, which is not good news for your clothes and carpets.

Moths may be small but the damage they inflict can be huge: their eggs and larvae can eat through treasured garments, furniture, and even whole areas of carpet – not to mention your bank balance when things get out of hand. So it is no wonder that people will call on professionals like Houseman Services as well as similar others, to get rid of these pests. The total value of the UK pest control market is now over £400m according to a recent report by Apex Insight, with moths and other insects accounting for 8% of all call-outs.*

But before you start worrying about a potential moth invasion, there are some simple steps you can take to avoid forking out for a specialist. Leading high street retailer Robert Dyas has solutions for every problem, whether you already have moths eating your clothes and carpets, or simply want to prevent the pests from causing damage in the first place.

How to Avoid and Tackle Moth Infestations

Eliminate with Heat

Wash all infested clothes and fabrics on a high temperature and put them through a hot drying cycle if possible. If your clothes aren’t suitable for the dryer, putting them in the freezer for a few days will kill off any eggs that may still be around. Make sure you wash all garments before putting them away – especially those made from natural fibres – as moths are mostly attracted to human sweat, hair and body oil. To give your wardrobes extra protection, use an Acana Clothes Moth Killer and Freshener for wardrobes ( £5.49), which works for up to six months.

Oust Them with Cedarwood

Cedarwood naturally repels moths so hanging some in your wardrobe will work wonders. ZERO IN Cedarwood Moth Repeller Rings ( £5.99) can be hung on your coat hangers to deter moths from eating your clothes, and ZERO IN Cedarwood Clothes Moth Repeller Balls ( £5.99) can be placed in garment pockets or in drawers. Completely natural, they have a long-lasting fragrance which can be refreshed by rubbing them with some fine-grain sandpaper. They also offer the added bonus of preventing the build-up of mustiness and mildew, so it’s a win-win.

Get Storage-Savvy

If they can’t get to your fabrics, they can’t tuck in: Plastic storage containers are a great alternative to easily-munched-through cardboard boxes. Airtight bags like Packmate Extra Large Flat Vacuum Bags – 2 Pack( £9.99) are ideal for items you don’t use much, while the Really Useful Underbed Storage Box – 43L (9.99) is great for everyday stackable storage.

Act Fast

If your home is already infested, take instant action by treating the affected areas with a spray. Acana Lavender Carpet & Fabric Moth Killer Spray ( £13.99) targets the problem instantly without staining, while Acana Lavender Fabric Moth Killer ( £7.99) eliminates moths, eggs and larvae in just 15 minutes. As it’s the larvae that cause the damage rather than the moths, keep an eye out for webbing and cocoons in your cupboards so you know which areas to treat.