Protect your clothes this August: London moth pest control experts explain how

 

London Moth Pest Control | Common Clothes Moths Damage

August might feel like holiday season, but for moths, it’s prime time to breed, feed, and infest your home. At Mercury Pest Control, we’re seeing a surge in calls related to moths this summer, especially in wardrobes, carpets and even loft spaces across London.

Whether you’ve noticed holes in your clothes, or strange casings on fabric, this is the time to act. The longer you wait, the more these pests multiply, Common Clothes Moths can cause significant, costly damage.

Here’s why moth infestations spike in summer, and how to protect your property with expert London moth pest control.

Why summer is moth season in London

London moth pest control experts explain seasonal risks

Warm temperatures, still air, and quiet corners create the perfect breeding environment for moths. In August, common clothes moths become highly active, laying hundreds of eggs in undisturbed areas, like wardrobes, lofts, clothes or under rugs.

Clothes moths don’t pose a direct health risk, but their larvae can cause serious damage to natural materials. In addition to clothing and soft furnishings, they are known to feed on items like taxidermy mounts, targeting feathers, fur, and skin, and even parts of musical instruments that contain organic components such as felt, wool, leather, or horsehair (e.g., in piano felts, drum pads, and violin bows).

How Do Moths Enter Your Home?

You might be surprised to learn that clothes moths often hitch a ride into your home. They don’t just appear in old houses or dusty wardrobes, they’re opportunistic and sneaky.

Here are the most common ways moths enter:

• Through open windows and doors, especially in the evening when lights attract them
• Via second-hand clothing or furniture, including vintage items, charity shop finds, or antique rugs
• In luggage, after travelling or staying in moth-infested hotels or rental properties
• On pets, particularly if they’ve been in sheds, lofts, or outbuildings
• Through contaminated delivery packages or parcels, especially textiles or upholstered goods

Simple prevention tips:

• Keep windows and doors screened or closed, especially at night
• Quarantine and inspect any second-hand items before bringing them indoors
• Store off-season clothes in sealed containers or garment bags
• Regularly vacuum under furniture, along skirting boards, and in wardrobes
• Use pheromone traps to monitor for moth activity

By understanding how moths get in, you can take simple steps to block their access and catch infestations early.

Clothes moths in wardrobes and carpets: What to watch for

Clothes moth infestations and what London homeowners should know

Common Clothes Moths, including webbing and case-bearing types, feed on keratin, a protein found in natural fibres.

That makes items like wool, silk, fur, and cashmere their ideal buffet.

 

Their breeding behaviour is unique:

• Webbing Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella)
  Golden in colour, lays up to 300 eggs. Often leaves behind silk-like webbing and fine dust.
  
• Case-bearing Clothes Moth (Tinea pellionella)
  Carries a protective “case” of silk and debris, making them harder to spot. Larvae leave frass and fabric damage, especially under furniture or in rolled-up rugs.
  

Moth larvae prefer dark, undisturbed areas, making these places high risk:

• Wardrobes and drawers
• Lofts and attic spaces
  
• Rolled rugs and underlay
• Taxidermy and felted instruments (e.g. pianos)
• Carpet offcuts and stored insulation
  

Don’t forget: female moths don’t fly, but they release pheromones that attract males. By the time you see a moth flying, the infestation may already be well underway.

Moth infestation signs: What to look for this summer

How to spot early signs and act fast with London moth pest control

Worried you might have moths? Here’s what to look for:

• Tiny holes in clothing, particularly wool or cashmere
• Silky webbing or casings stuck to fabric (looks like cotton wool)
• Frass (moth droppings) – fine, gritty particles near fabrics
• Flying moths – especially in bedrooms, or lofts
• Musty smell in storage areas

Pheromone traps can be helpful for early detection, but once you’re catching multiple moths, it’s time to call in the professionals.

How to prevent moths this summer

London moth proofing tips for your home or business

Preventing a moth problem is far easier than treating one. Here’s your August checklist from the team at Mercury Pest Control:

Wardrobes:

• Air out and inspect stored clothing regularly 
• Use vacuum-sealed bags for natural fibre garments
• Place cedar balls or lavender sachets in drawers
• Hoover dark corners and under furniture

Lofts, carpets and storage:

• Avoid storing wool or natural fabrics in the attic
• Replace felt under-rugs with rubber backing
• Discard unused carpet offcuts
• Inspect stored musical instruments or taxidermy

Professional London moth pest control for homes and businesses

Mercury Pest Control offers expert moth treatment

At Mercury Pest Control, we specialise in London moth pest control for homes, flats, offices, and commercial premises. Whether you’re dealing with Common Clothes Moths damaging garments, rugs, upholstery, taxidermy or musical instruments, we’re here to help.

Our process includes:

Identify: We offer a free onsite inspection for all homes and businesses across London. This allows us to locate moth hotspots and understand the scale of the infestation.

Report: Following inspection, we’ll send a detailed email report with photographs, highlighting areas of activity and outlining our recommended next steps.

Treat & Monitor: No two infestations are the same. That’s why we create a bespoke treatment plan based on your specific issue. We continue to monitor the results to ensure complete eradication.

For London moth pest control from Mercury Pest Solutions, book your free moth infestation identification today;

 

📞 Call us now on 0208 166 5110

📧 Or email info@mercurypestcontrol.co.uk

💬 Or send us a message via our website

📍 Based in London, UK proudly serving homes and businesses across the city for over 8 years