Protecting your belongings from pests and insects is highly important, especially if you want to prolong their life expectancy. It would be frustrating — and costly — to find out that insects have damaged all of your belongings.
This dilemma is also applicable to your clothes.
Picture this: You need to attend an important event for which you need a particular outfit. So you check your wardrobe to find which one would be best for that event. However, as you inspect your clothes, you notice that most of them now have holes in different sizes and that there are insects crawling away from your line of sight and deeper into your wardrobe.
To prevent this nightmare from turning into reality, you need to know how to shield your clothes from insects.
What Attracts Insects to Your Clothes?
Before you can effectively implement measures to safeguard your closet, you need to find out what attracts insects to your clothes. Insects seek out clothing items for the following reasons:
- Food Particles and Perspiration
One of the things that attract the insects are the food particles and perspiration that are on your clothes.
As you eat your meal, food particles can fall and spill onto your clothes. Also, as you go by your day and you perform physical activities, you would produce sweat that sticks to your clothes. So while those food stains and sweat on your shirt might just be a nuisance to you, some insects consider these a meal.
As they consume the food particles and perspiration on your clothes, they would eventually include the cloth itself.
- Type of Fabric
The fabric or material used to create your clothes is another factor that attracts the insects.
Insects like silverfish consume materials such as linen, cotton, and silk. Why, you might ask? Well, they are after the polysaccharide that can be found in them.
On the other hand, insects such as clothes moths like to consume soiled woolen articles. Similar to the silverfish, they are eating the nutrients that can only be found in them.
Now that you know what attracts insects to your clothing, we can now answer the question:
How Can You Protect Your Clothing From Insect Damage?
- Thorough Cleaning and Vacuuming
You need to remember that cleanliness is key. It is important to keep your house tidy and sparkling clean. You have to apply this rule to your wardrobe and your clothes.
If you have already used your clothes, then place them in the laundry basket. It does not matter if it has only been used once and still smells fine. Additionally, if your shirt does get stains, you must make sure to wash and clean it properly so said stains would not stay. You have to make sure to clean your clothes properly. Doing this will help prevent insects from eating away at your clothes.
Should there be an infestation in your wardrobe, you must remove all of your clothes and have everything washed. You need to do these right away to ensure the removal of any insects (and their larvae) from your clothes.
It is also recommended to vacuum and clean your wardrobe regularly. Once you have finished vacuuming, immediately dispose of the vacuum bag’s contents. Disposing of the vacuum bag quickly will help to get rid of the insects that are in the bag.
- Storage Containers
Storing clothes in storage containers can also help prevent insect damage. With this, you must store your clean clothing in airtight containers and keep these containers closed shut. By using containers, your clothes will be far from the insects’ reach.
You might also be familiar with cedar chests. However, using cedar is not necessary. While cedar has an oil that can get rid of small larvae, it does not do the same to large larvae. As long as you are using airtight containers for storage, you are good to go.
- Insecticides
In addition to airtight containers, another method you can opt for is insecticides. Along with cleaning your wardrobe, applying insecticides can help in preventing insect damage.
There are some types of insecticide sprays that you can use to spray directly on the clothing. However, you have to be careful because there are also sprays that can stain specific types of fabric. With this, we recommend that you read the insecticide’s label and check out its instructions before using it.
You can also use mothballs. All you need to do is to place them inside the airtight containers that store your clothes. As they release a scent, this helps in keeping insects out. Make sure to place them where it cannot touch your clothes. Place the mothballs properly to avoid your clothes’ colors from changing.
- Pest Control
Even with all of these recommendations, you still might have some doubts about which solution is most effective for you. You may be concerned for your safety or simply do not have the time to get rid of the insects yourself.
When in doubt, hiring a pest control company can help you solve your insect problem.
With their expertise and experience, they would be able to solve your problem right away. From identifying the type of insects that are living in your wardrobe to figuring out the best way of removing them. The pest control company is there for you.
There are several options you can choose from that can help protect your clothes from insects. It may take time and a lot of effort to do it yourself, but if done properly it can guarantee the safety of your clothing. What you need to do is to figure out which option is the best for you.
However, the most effective way to deal with an insect problem is to hire professional pest control services. We here at JDM Pest Control offer safe and highly efficient pest control services.
We have over 20 years of experience in helping our clients. Our team of well-trained professionals can provide you the help you need. Call us now at (416) 729-3568 or leave us a message online