Storing out-of-season clothes may be a great way to free up space in your wardrobe, but it also makes your knits susceptible to damage from insects and other pests. Though there may not be a way to stop insects from getting into your home completely, there are a handful of steps that can be taken to protect your clothes from bugs.
The best way to keep bugs out of your clothes is by storing them in airtight containers without any holes or cracks. Before storing your clothes, be sure to clean them thoroughly and pack them with scented insect repellants for the best results.
This article will go into more detail about the best practices for keeping bugs away from your stored clothing, as well as some common pests you’re likely to find when living in New Zealand. Read on to learn more about safely protecting your clothes from pests!
The Best Way to Protect Clothes from Bugs
The best way to keep pests away from your clothes is by storing them properly. Airtight storage containers with lids are an inexpensive and easy option for storing fabrics.
Fabrics that need to breathe, such as cashmere, or fancier, expensive pieces can be kept in breathable garment bags, while oversized knits and jackets will do fine in container bins.
You can also invest in vacuum-sealed clothing bags if you’re interested in taking up as little space with your storage as necessary. This will also ensure that pests won’t be hiding in the folds of the fabric or laying eggs in the seams! However, you should invest in a good iron before storing clothing this way, as wrinkles are inevitable.
As we’ll discuss later in this article, several other practices can be combined with proper storage to further deter pests from nesting in your clothes. But first, let’s cover some common pests you’ll need to look out for.
Common Clothes Pests in New Zealand
According to Rentokil, an Australian extermination company, there are three types of common clothes pests found throughout New Zealand. If you find yourself checking for bugs in your clothes, here are some critters that you should look out for:
- Common Clothes Moth: These tiny moths are beige or tawny, making them easy to spot on darker fabrics. You may notice fringing on the wings, which is a tell-tale sign of the common clothes moth. Common clothes moths are around half an inch in length.
- Variegated Carpet Beetle: Carpet beetles are prevalent household pests and appear with round, mottled backs. These beetles don’t feed on fabrics but are prone to laying their eggs in them, so it’s best to keep infestations at bay. You may also notice brown, hairy larvae.
- Case–Bearing Clothes Moth: You can tell the case-bearing and common clothes moths apart by looking at their markings and sizes. Case-bearing moths are slightly larger, with long silver wings and brown spots. Old case-bearing moth cocoons resemble grains of rice, which is an excellent way to tell if you’ve got an infestation.
Signs of Pest Infestations
Because clothes pests are so small, it can be hard to tell right away if you’re dealing with an infestation. Typically, you’ll notice damage to your clothing before you spot one of the small critters above. However, if you don’t check your clothing often, as you may not with pieces in storage, it can be difficult to notice that something is amiss.
According to Rentokil, aside from damage to your clothing, such as irregularly-shaped holes and tears, you may also notice actual insects. These can be alive or dead and may come along with eggs, empty cocoons, or larvae. If you start to see lots of little creatures around your home, it may be time to check on your clothing!
We’re not saying that you need to drag out your winter coats every week, but do keep an eye on other exposed pieces like woolen blankets or rugs. If there are signs of pests in these, they may have made it into your clothing as well.
4 Ways to Protect Clothes from Bugs
While storing your clothing in airtight containers is a great way to reduce pest damage, it isn’t foolproof.
This next section will cover four ways to best avoid pest damage to your clothing. The best way to keep pests entirely at bay is by combining several strategies listed below, such as cleaning your clothes before storing them and investing in insect repellants.
Clean All Clothes Before Storing
Though it may seem like common sense, thoroughly cleaning your clothes before storing them is one of the best ways to avoid pest damage. To put it simply, without dirt and other funky smells, the bugs won’t have anything to attract them to your stored sweaters. Giving your clothes a quick wash will ensure small debris, such as pet hair, is completely gone.
If you’re already dealing with pests, your clothes may be harboring eggs. Washing your clothes will remove any eggs hiding in your seams and ensure that no generations of insects are hatched once your clothing is safely put into storage.
Repel Insects with Scented Products
Using essential oils is another great way to deter insects from making a home out of your clothing. According to the Container Store, cedar is a popular scent that repels common clothes pets like moths and beetles while leaving behind a pleasant odor. Lavender is another option, according to West Boulevard Cleaners.
Essential oils are affordable options for deterring insects. When packing your clothes away into storage, sprinkle in a few drops. You can also use a scented mist, which may be easier when storing many clothes at once. Constant reapplication shouldn’t be necessary, but it’s an excellent idea to respray every so often.
Keep Storage Areas Clean
Daily-wear clothing can also be susceptible to damage from insects. If you find damage in your storage, you likely have a pest infestation elsewhere as well. Eliminate the possibilities for pest damage by keeping drawers and wardrobes clean. Wipe drawers out with a damp cloth every few weeks and allow the wood to dry completely before replacing your clothing.
You can also sprinkle a few drops of cedar or lavender essential oils into your daily-wear clothing as well to repel possible pests.
Eliminate a Pest Problem
If you’ve identified a pest infestation, you’ll need to work towards eliminating the bugs from your home. Liquid insecticides can be purchased for spraying onto surfaces in your wardrobe or dresser, while fabric insecticides can be placed in storage with clothing.
For the best storage practices, we recommend starting by cleaning your clothing and then storing pieces in an airtight container, complete with fabric insecticide and repellant.
If you have pets, ensure that the insecticide you purchase is natural or pet-safe, as some can be dangerous. This is important with essential oils as well. If you notice your pest infestation isn’t getting under control, even with repellants and insecticides, you may need to call your local exterminator.
Final Thoughts
Keeping pests away from your clothing can be a complicated process, especially when storing pieces for an extended amount of time. With common New Zealand pests being so small, it can also be tough to notice an infestation before it’s too late.
Luckily, with the steps listed above, keeping bugs away and pest damage to a minimum is not too difficult. We hope this article has offered helpful information for protecting your clothing!