Moth issue - where did you buy your parisitic wasps from?

[Wonderbug81]

I've seen them on Amazon but the reviews are poor (Dragonfli).

Where's a reputable place to buy them?

Personally I’d contact pest control rather than release a load of other insects

We just use the spray and cupboard hangers - we did have a few this year but not for long. Parasitic wasps sound like an import from somewhere that I'd not trust in my home!

Thanks, a few Mumsnetters have said they've had good results with them so was hoping for recommendations who've tried them before releasing a whole load of strong chemicals around my house.

The dragonflii ones work well for us OP

Thank you! Am I right in thinking the wasps die off afterwards? Will a hoover get rid of everything?

Did you do it over a number of cycle or was once enough?

Theyre essential to the ecosystem and harmless to humans.
I dont think introducing parasitic wasps to the system has any way of ending well. Humans are a bloody stupid species at times.

They're already in the system. Gardeners use them and there are various species native to Europe.

I use the dragonfli ones. It has made a difference. Not solved it but better than traditional moth control stuff. They generally have an offer on. We’ve done 3 cycles.

You also leave out the strips somewhere in the room and if you are still catching moths, you know you still have an issue.

We did that against backdrop of moving EVERY bit of furniture and clothing to vacuum
out and try and spot where the issues were. We then sprayed moth killer but you have to leave that for a few weeks before you introduce the ‘wasps’ as otherwise the moth killer kills the wasps too.

There are some good threads on mumsnet about to control but it is difficult.

I presume OP is talking about clothes moths rather than normal moths. You may think they are harmless but they can cause ££££ damage to clothes and carpets and it is quite distressing and certainly not eco friendly when you have to buy and replace the damaged items.

Thank you. Yes exactly. I also get a rash from the larvae which is a known issue.

I wished people who didn't fully understand an issue would stop replying on posts with unhelpful comments.

I would also add that I would rather have a natural deterrent (like the ladybird type bugs to aphids) than lots of moth deterrent chemicals in home which also aren’t great for for the the humans and any living bug or pet in the home.

You can’t just leave clothes moths - there was a well publicised case recently about a house sale in Notting Hill where there seller didn’t declare an infestation as a pest issue on the seller form and the sale was reverted after a court case. That case is extreme but it really isn’t an issue you can leave.

The problem in that case was that wool based insulation had been used in the house and created an undisturbed eat-all-you-can buffet for moths. It was pretty niche for most people.

That said, I’m also interested in experiences with the parasitic wasps as despite hoovering religiously and freezing all wool items before they are put away for a season I’ve lost items to the munching larvae.

@C8H10N4O2 my view is better than traditional moth deterrent but not a complete answer. If you hoover and freeze - honestly, I think those are the best preventative steps...

Good luck OP to anyone else managing an issue!

Honestly I feel like Sisyphus but with moths and I know my problems are small beer compared to some.

The freezing and bagging really does help - hoovering alone just doesn’t seem to cut it, however frequent. Nor do any of the cedar oils, moth repellents etc which sit in wardrobes apparently for their entertainment. I think the last few years with the mild Winters, wet Springs have been too good for moths, I rarely saw sign of any ten years ago.

Cedar and lavender do not prevent or kill moths, they just make your holey clothes smell better when you throw them in the bin.

I find Transfluthrin totally effective.

Once you have an infestation, you need a total blitz, stripping out all your wardrobes and drawers, hoovering under furniture and in crevices, and, I find, putting everything through a tumble drier to kill eggs, then putting it back in a cleaned and sprayed wardrobe with moth killer added. I now put an impregnated strip in a pocket of each garment. You can localise the vapour by using polythene garnent bags (like dry cleaners use) which you can buy by the roll. The strips are unscented. Hanging wardrobe units and sachets all seem to be scented.

Bleach and detergent are not insecticides.

You can put dry woolen clothes in a tumble drier without shrinking or matting them. Or use a garment steamer to kill eggs. But if you do not immediately protect them they can get reinfested.

I think it takes about a year of effort to be sure you have cleared it. An infestation can cost you a fortune in ruined clothes.