Moving to a new home is like giving yourself a clean slate. You’re free to organize differently, get rid of old items that no longer serve your needs, and start building an entirely new home for yourself. However, every time you move, there’s one risk that follows you: moth infestations. While your moving company can help load and unload your belongings, they can’t keep moths from getting into your new closet. Here are a few things you can do to reduce the risk of a moth infestation at your new home.
Keep Excess Stuff From Building Up
Now that you’ve cleaned everything out of your closet, you must keep it that way. Believe it or not, cluttered closets are beautiful to moths. They view many of the natural fabrics in the closet as a prime food source for their offspring during the larval stage. When your closet is full, it’s difficult to spot moths’ nests and living adults as they have plenty of places to hide. Once you’ve unpacked your clothes and arranged the closet in a way you like, please make an effort to keep it clean and organized. Every few months, go through your clothes and get rid of items you no longer want or need. Out-of-season items can be placed securely in storage and out of the closet while you’re not using them.
Make Use of Cedar
Moths absolutely detest the smell of cedar and will do everything they can to avoid it. Put chunks of raw unfinished cedar in your dresser drawers and in between piles of items on closet shelves. This will keep moths from burrowing into the dark corners and protect your clothing from damage without using harsh pesticides. You can even give your clothes an extra boost of moth repellant by hanging them on cedar hangars. Sand the front and back of the hangers to get rid of any polish, and leave the smooth varnish on the parts of the hanger that will contact your clothes. This way, they’ll be easy to remove and won’t rip due to rough wood.
Wash Everything Thoroughly Before Putting It in Storage
If you’re using a storage unit to house your items for a few months between moves, make sure to wash each piece of clothing, blanket, towel, and set of linens before putting them in the box. This will eliminate any moth eggs that may be attached to the fabric and keep your items safe while in storage. If eggs hatch while your items are in the box, you’ll likely discover a moth-eaten mess once you pull items out of storage. Remember, moth eggs can hatch in as little as a week, so preventative measures are key in preventing an infestation.
Worried about moths and insects getting into your belongings while you’re moving? Make sure to work with the experienced moving team at Eden’s Moving and Storage Services. We pride ourselves on keeping our trucks and storage units clean, so you’ll have peace of mind knowing your belongings are safe while they’re in transit. Contact us today for more information or to schedule a free moving estimate.
