Newly discovered moth problem in wardrobe

[NewEraNewMindset]

The bastards have eaten through my partners work trousers which have a cashmere mix. Nightmare, they were pretty expensive.

He has had a look at some if his other clothes and he can't see any damage. In another room he has a wardrobe that has all his work shirts and woollens in. Some of which are cashmere again.

So what should we do? I plan on sorting the wardrobe out tomorrow and having a good look, hoovering the floor etc. But I assume I need to buy some products, I haven't a clue where to start as the only time I've read about moth problems it always seems like there is no remedy, the bastards come back.

All my clothes are polyester/synthetic shite from charity shops or Primark sink don't have much to lose. But my partners clothes are more work orientated and it could start getting very expensive if we don't sort it.

Thanks very much.

Now that you already have an infestation, you have a lot of work to do.

Put all the clothes through the tumble drier. The heat will kill larvae and eggs. You don't have to wash them first.
Immediately after taking them out, seal all the clothes into plastic crates with lid, or into clear plastic bags, with a moth-killer containing Transfluthrin, to prevent re-infestation. It is very disappointing to open a bag or box and be met by a cloud of moths.

Once you have done that, set about vacuuming and cleaning in, under and behind all your wardrobes and drawers. After you have done that, and put a couple of Transfluthrin hangers in each wardrobe (one hanger will usually treat half a cubic metre) you can put the clothes back in. The moth killers are formulated top release a tiny amount of vapour, so small that it takes two weeks to build up, inside a closed wardrobe, to be strong enough to kill larvae and eggs. It dissipates in fresh air, and breaks down in rain or sunlight, so I presume it has been designed to prevent pollution of the air.

Continue with intensive vacuuming, and inspect clothes frequently for any new damage. Bedding and carpets need to be thoroughly and frequently cleaned, especially under and behind anything. You can get pheromone traps; until they stop catching moths, you still have an infestation. You can get a spray for the edges of a carpet, where moths like to climb under the gap by the skirting board, and joints in wardrobes and drawers, where they may creep in and shelter.

The moth killers last about three months. When you first lot need wear out, put in new ones. If you have done a thorough job, by the time the second lot are worn out, you should have cleared the infestation. However I would recommend continuing with the wardrobe hangers so that any new moth eggs will be killed.

Moths are attracted to the scent of clothes that have been worn by a woman and put away unwashed.

You can also get scented "repellent" items such as cedar and lavender. They do not kill moths but will make your holey clothes smell nice when you throw them in the bin.