Moths! How long do I put my clothes in the freezer? and other idiot questions

[Fridayschild]

So there are one or two unmistakable moth bites in two of my work skirts. I can either dryclean EVERYTHING in the wardrobe or put it in the freezer to kill them - is that right?

The freezer option is cheaper, clearly, but space in that is limited. How long do clothes need to stay in the freezer to kill the moths?

Do moths only like natural fibres or do the synthetics need to go in as well?

Do I need to hoover the wardrobe as well to get rid of anything lurking or will just dealing with the clothes do the trick?

I did work out there is no point putting clothes in the freezer overnight and then back in the wardrobe while other, as yet unfrozen clothes are still hanging in the wardrobe...

if you have a tumble drier, put all your clothes through that, the heat will kill moths, eggs and larvae.

Buy a lot of big clear plastic bags, or plastic crates with a tight-fitting lid, and put all the things in one as soon as they come out of the drier.

Put a moth-killer containing Transfluthrin in each bag or crate. They work.

Hoover and wipe inside all your wardrobes, cupboards and drawers, and put two moth-killing hangers containing Transfluthrin in each wardrobe, and one in smaller containers.

Frequently and thoroughly Hoover under and behind all furniture, and especially where the carpets runs to the skirting board, as they like to crawl behind.

Continue frequent hovering for at least three months, and renew the Transfluthin moth killers at their expiry date.

If you don't like to use chemicals, you can use lavender or cedar scented products. They will have no impact on the moths, but will make your holey clothes smell nice when you throw them in the bin. After you have thrown away hundreds of pounds worth of clothes you will change your mind about moth killers. After about three months you should have cleared your infestation, but continue using hangers in your wardrobes indefinitely.

Thank you Piglet John. no tumble drier here but working through everything else.

Work shirts? Are they silk? May not be moths if they aren't.
3 days in the freezer. And sticky moth traps, if you don't want to go down the insecticide route. I am paranoid about insect killing stuff, but I have a house full of vintage clothing, so wage a constant battle with moths.

I would take them to the big driers in the laundrette then. You must bag them straight out of the drier and use moth killer or they will get reinfested.