Luxury Moth Removal and Protection ServiceThe natural and organic way to protect against moths!
Our team of moth busters will come into your wardrobes and work their magic.
All your clothes will be removed for dry cleaning as this kills the larvae. Carpets will be shampooed, curtains taken for cleaning and all loose covers washed. Then a thorough clean of all furniture fixtures and fittings, washed and vacuumed. A week later everything will be brought back and put into place with the necessary moth traps and anti moth products. Prices start at £400 per day excluding dry-cleaning costs and products. |
THE LIFE OF A CLOTHES MOTH AND ITS IMPACT ON YOU!Within the dark corners of your wardrobe, tucked between drawers and hiding in-between cashmeres, all is not is not what it seems...
The female clothes moth, the Tinea Pennionella, is busy laying 40 to 50 minute eggs between a course of 4 to 21 days which are poised ready to hatch into destructive invaders and commence the downward slope of wardrobe disintegration.
The life cycle of a moth revolves around the laying of eggs- survival of the fittest. Once mating has occurred, the females lay 40 to 50 eggs that hatch into eating machine larvae. These live for an unusually long period of 50 days before they pupate by wrapping themselves in a silken case sealed with excrement and fibre. Whilst pupating they drag their bodies along in their silk turban, eating as they go. Holes appear as the larvae annoyingly choose to eat clean-cut holes rather than spin a web of silk over the food material. Once metamorphosed, the life cycle repeats and the adult moths soon die. The life cycle lasts for about 65 to 90 days, with the female adult moths living for about 30 days and potentially laying up to 300 eggs. Alot of hungry larvae! Unwashed damp clothes don't have a chance.
The larvae that hatch from the eggs are the ones to target, as the adult moths known as 'millers' pose no threat to your cashmeres. It is the larvae that are notorious for feeding on wool, hair, leather, cotton, and linens, silk and synthetic fibres. Practically anything they can get their mouths onto. They do not drink water, so depend on their meal of jumper sleeve for moisture. The dirtier the better, clothing moths adore fabric containing human sweat or liquid spillages as it will provide a perfect feeding site for their hungry hatchlings. The larvae also convert the protein keratin that is present in hair and wool to useful nutrients. Not only do they munch away holes, but also leave their silken cases, silken threads and faecal pellets all over the surface or your garment.
If you do find an un-expecting hole your jumper, chances are that the larvae are at work. To identify them look for moths with white heads and wings about 2 cm wide with a black and cream front and pale grey on the hind. These moths rarely fly infact it is only the males that flutter around locating females that prefer to hop around trying to find food and hideouts. The Larvae are distinguished as cream caterpillars with black heads.
Persistent total wardrobe care is imperative to keep the moths away, however, if you do have an infestation, it is only by destroying the eggs, and disrupting the vicious life cycle that the problem can be solved long term. |
 10 Top tips for storing clothes.1. Cleanliness !! Dry clean and wash, EVERYTHING before it gets packed away
Stains will appear and leave a food source for moths.
2. Storage Pack clothes away in a breathable container packed in acid free tissue or an old pillowcase or wrapped in a sheet. Don't leave in plastic or exposed to sunlight
3. Anti moth Refresh your out of date anti moth products, throw them away if they have been in the wardrobe more than a year, re fill lavender bags. Try the pheromone moth trap, which catches the boys and stops the mating game!
4. Turnout! Be ruthless, when was the last time you wore it, swop with friends or sell on ebay, remember 2 new things in = 2 old things out.
5. Spring clean the wardrobe and drawers for the new seasons clothes, take everything out, wash dust and vacuum, try the clearing and cleansing spray to clear out the vibes available from www.make-ripples.com, light candles and throw the windows open!
6. Hangers, get the right hangers for the right job, all the same hangers make your wardrobe look like a boutique and if the garments are all level they are a lot easier to see, try the rubber covered non slip hanger!
7. Shoes and boots. Polish and clean shoes and boots, take to the menders then put in the boot trees and shoe trees and shoe puffs, to keep their shape.
8. Fur. Put your furs in cotton garment bags and take them to a furrier for cold storage, this discourages bugs and prolongs the life of the fur. (If its been dead for more than 20 years take it to the furrier for re oiling and conditioning.)
9. Vintage. Repairs and maintenance. If any buttons have fallen off, zips broken , hems fallen down, or clothes have grown to big or too small take them to be altered and repaired. Don't leave anything in the wardrobe that needs something doing to it, chances are it will not be worn
10. Style. Get your best friend in or employ the services of a stylist to up date your existing wardrobe, a fresh eye will put different items together for a fresh look,
For wardrobe care and anti moth products call Total Wardrobe Care 020 7498 4360 |
