Clothes Moths At The Olympics Pest Control For Moth Infestations

By Author: Leah Booth
Total Articles: 2
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Preparations for London 2012 have been fraught with, shall we say, occasional hiccups. Controversy over ground-to-air missiles on the rooftops; traffic brought to a halt by Olympic lanes; Mitt Romney saying he’s not sure how it’ll turn out. And now, there are moths.

The pests in question are Tineola bisselliella, or the common clothes moth. The moths themselves aren’t a particular problem, but their larvae eat natural fibres like cotton and wool, chewing their way through clothes and carpets with ease.

Actually, it’s not just the Olympic village that’s affected, but a large area of London, including Stratford. Clothes moth infestations usually occur in the Spring, but it’s possible that the cold weather from April to June delayed their appearance. Of course, they also like moisture, so the sweaty clothing of athletes is probably an attraction for them.

Another problem is people have had windows closed and central heating on more this year than usual. Clothes moths like warm, dark corners, and heated houses allow them to breed all year round. They also tend to occupy undisturbed areas under furniture ...
... and at the back of cupboards, so the infestation might not be found immediately. Even worse, they prefer natural fibres and therefore more expensive garments made from cashmere and silk.

The numbers of moths in the Stratford area are worrying at best. Clothes moths here are 40 times more prevalent than in Newcastle upon Tyne, and nearly 400 times more than in Belfast. It’s being described as an ‘epidemic’.

Getting rid of moths can be tricky. Your best bet is to contact a pest control company immediately. Their expert pest controllers will analyse the situation and suggest the best cause of action. Some clothes and fabrics can be removed and cleaned, but sprays must be used on the moths themselves. It may take a few treatments to get rid of them, but compared to the amount of damage they can do, this can save you a lot of money and heartache. Pest controllers will also put pheromone traps down, not to kill the moths, but to monitor how many of them there are.

As getting rid of moths is so hard, stopping an infestation before it starts is the best strategy. If you live in London, Herts or the South East, you may want to bag up clothes that aren’t worn often, and make sure others are kept clean and refolded regularly. You can also get cedar mothballs which can deter them from laying their eggs. However, even this may not be enough.

Fortunately, the London and Herts area has some of the best pest control companies in the country. Some even employ their own bug specialists to deal with problems just like this. If you do discover moths eating your clothes, contact the pest controllers immediately. Any delay can make the problem worse.

Terminex are a professional, reliable pest control company working in London, Herts and the South East. They have a professional etymologist on hand to help with clothes moth infestations, and will make sure the infestation is gone for good. Click the link for more information.
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