What to do if a moth eats your fur coat and how to get rid of the pest

Every woman strives to add an elite, expensive fur coat to her wardrobe. But to prevent the worst enemy of natural furs, clothing moths, from getting to your favorite outerwear, it is better to prevent the problem than to deal with its consequences. It may take some time for the owner of a status item, but this expensive item will please her for a long time. What moth repellents should you choose for your fur coat to protect it?

How to fight moths?

What does a fur moth look like (photo)

A moth that eats a fur coat.

What does a mole look like?

Name: Coat or house moth Lat.:
Tinea pellionella

Class: Insects - Insecta Order: Lepidoptera - Lepidoptera Family: True moths - Tineidae

Fur moth larva.

A moth is a small winged insect usually up to one and a half centimeters in size. But this is an adult, and the insect itself, the larva, causes more harm to things.

It is small, transparent or whitish and is a serious threat to fur products. Moths in a fur coat appear because things for storage are packed incorrectly or they are not cleaned enough.

In appearance, the adult moth looks like a butterfly, only with dull gray wings, but it does not have a proboscis. But the larvae have an oral cavity, they are very voracious, and can destroy a large product in a short period of time.

The first signs of the presence of moths

One moth larva can “gnaw through” an entire centimeter of fabric in just a day! Therefore, in order to protect your fur coat, it is worth carefully inspecting it from time to time.

At the first sign of moths, emergency assistance is necessary. Here are some of the main obvious signs of moths on a fur coat:

• The fur is crumpled, looks dull and untidy; • There are several hairs of wool on the floor of the wardrobe; • Crumpled fur on the smooth surfaces of a fur coat; • Slightly stale smell from the product; • When ironed by hand, the villi fall out; • Small bald patches and spots are visible in the curves.

If you detect at least one such symptom, urgently free the fur from these “inhabitants”, since in the near future you risk being left without warm protection for the winter.

Why does it appear

Traces of wear of a fur coat by moths.

Moths appear in houses primarily because it is much more comfortable to live here than in nature. There are all amenities for life, suitable temperature, dryness and darkness.

The main thing is that there is enough tasty food here, thanks to which the caterpillar can recover enough to make a cocoon for itself, turn into a butterfly and lay eggs.

Fur moths appear on fur products due to improper care . Due to prolonged wear, microparticles of dirt and sweat remain on clothes - which is an excellent energy reserve for the larvae.

It is the contaminated villi of any fur that are the most pleasant food for the pest.

Also, in parallel, the caterpillars remove tracks of hairs that interfere with their movement, thus building certain passages for themselves. Therefore, you can often notice narrow paths on fur coats, as if cut to zero.

Symptoms of infection

Moth larvae on clothes.

Unfortunately, the first symptoms of moths appearing in a closet are quite difficult to detect, because they initially lay eggs, which are almost transparent.

Therefore, if one or two caterpillars accidentally hit, it is very difficult to see them right away. But you should be careful, because these voracious caterpillars very quickly turn into butterflies, one of which can lay up to 200 eggs at a time.

Symptoms of infection appear as follows:

1. The fur product looks as if it is in pellets.
2. Folds or clipped paths appear on a mink coat or any other fur.
3. If some of the villi begin to fall out in thick fur, then it is necessary to carefully inspect the fur coat, because the hairs interfere with the free movement of the caterpillars.
4. When bald patches appear on the surface of clothing, this is the first sign of moths eating your fur coat.
5. The main sign, which is already obvious with a strong scale of infection, is the appearance of winged individuals.

If one or more of these symptoms are already confirmed and observed, it is necessary to immediately proceed to comprehensive protection.

Precautionary measures

When purchasing an expensive fur item, it is a good idea to thoroughly inspect the pile, since reputable salons do not guarantee that the product is 100% moth-free. Thin stripes of bald spots may indicate the presence of parasites in the pile. After purchasing, even if nothing suspicious was found, hang the product on the balcony at home for two or three days. Ventilation will have a good effect only in dry weather; dampness can only aggravate the situation. And the temperature range can be different; both extreme heat and persistent frost have a very detrimental effect on the faces.

Moth repellent

How to protect a fur coat from moths? To preserve the product in its original form, it is necessary not to give harmful insects a single chance to appear and survive. To avoid accidental infection of a mink coat with moths, you need to ensure that such outerwear is stored in a separate closet. Special sprays will also make a significant contribution to preserving the product from parasites. How to treat a fur coat against moths so as not to harm it? The most effective and proven brands of aerosols are:

• Antimol;
• Raptor;
• Armol.

The main enemy is moth larvae

Fur moth larvae.

Moth larvae eat as much as they need to store energy in order to pupate and then turn into a butterfly. And at the end of its life cycle, the butterfly will lay eggs and die.

The larvae can be found at the base of the fur hairs , where they are conveniently located in cozy small cocoons. It is extremely important, even if your favorite woolen item has already been lost, to destroy the moth, because it happily eats other natural fabrics and can even move on to upholstery, carpets and shoes.

Ways to fight moths

The moth is quite neat and selective, so it eats the fur coat gradually and cyclically. Having finished with one area, she moves to another. That is why at the first signs of infection you need to immediately move on to the fight. There are several ways to remove moths.

What are the best anti-moth products?

ChemicalFolk

Application of insecticidal preparations

Ideally, to store a mink coat or other fur product, you need to use special covers that are impregnated with repellents. They are sealed and designed specifically for protection.

Insecticidal preparations can use special aerosols or sprays. If there is a suspicion that the moth has already moved to other areas, then you can spray an aerosol into the cabinet and close it. It is better to repeat the procedures after 3 weeks.

If you want to protect your fur coat directly, you can spray it with an aerosol and then place a special cover. Of the aerosols, the most popular and effective are Raptor against moths, Clean House or Antimol.

tablets and plates, which are simply placed in the cabinet, deal with moths quickly and effectively There are drugs in gels that are placed in special containers.

There are special liquid products that are used to treat fur products. This is done at the beginning of the winter season, when outer clothing is cleaned. After processing, the products are placed in a case.

Another means is fumigators. Although they do not act as quickly and effectively as previous insecticides, because they only remove adult moths, they will help very well in the fight against small numbers of moths and for preventive purposes.

The box shows effective, quick-acting chemicals.

Mechanical protection

Moths do not like temperature changes.

Mechanical protection is a physical impact on any deposits of things. This will require some effort, but this method is quite effective. You need to take things and shake them up. Due to the periodic discomfort caused, the moth will not be able to eat away at the fur items and will have to look for a new place to live. However, you should not think that moths will not transfer from a fur coat to a woolen sweater, so you need to carefully sort through even all the old deposits.

Moth larvae do not like temperature changes and too changeable living conditions. So, if damaged items are taken out into severe frost in winter, the larvae will die very quickly. Also in summer, if exposed to too high a temperature, all larvae may die.

Folk remedies

Of course, if the housewife has already seen a moth eating a fur coat, then ordinary folk remedies are most likely already powerless. They are used mostly when the extent of the damage is not yet noticeable or as a preventive measure.

Essential oils of lavender, geranium or chamomile can repel adult moths with their scent. It is recommended to collect dried flowers, place them in a small fabric bag and hang them in the closet.

Citrus zest can also be sliced ​​and placed on a napkin on a shelf. You can use oranges, grapefruit, tangerine or lemon. When it dries, the bundle can be replaced with a fresh one.

Laundry soap is an excellent way to remove moths. Using it, you need to periodically wash all the shelves. You can also put a block between things.

This article provides 20 effective methods for ridding your home of moths.

Methods of protection

Preventing moths from appearing in your wardrobe requires some effort, but prevention is guaranteed to save valuable fur from the jaws of the pest. We suggest considering several methods that will tell you how to protect your fur coat from moths.

Separate wardrobe

As a rule, an insect that eats wool products ends up on a fur coat by accident. But since these parasites are quite unpretentious in food, they begin to spoil expensive fur with great joy.

Aerosols

Use aerosol insecticides. Today there is a fairly wide selection of such products and they are easy to find on the open market. The most popular and effective are:

• Raptor;
• Mosquitall;
• Antimol;
• Armol.

They are absolutely harmless to the fur coat, do not leave any traces and do not saturate the fur with their aroma (as a last resort, you can purchase an unscented product). These brands have specially developed fur protection products that are easy to use and highly effective. The aerosol must be sprayed from time to time on the inside surface of the closet and on the fur coat itself. The frequency of this procedure can be seen in the instructions that come with each drug.

Fumigators

Fumigators are also an excellent preventive measure. They are very easy to use and do not require any physical effort on your part. To place the fumigator in the cabinet, use an extension cord.

This product repels moths very effectively, and even if for some reason a butterfly gets into the wardrobe, the device will not give it the opportunity to reproduce and the insect will soon die.

Case

Use special covers for fur coats against moths. They are made in the form of thin cases and have a reasonable price. Adult butterflies and larvae are repelled by the aroma that permeates the inner surface of the case. In addition, they close very tightly, which prevents moths from getting inside.

The most popular and effective case is the one from the Raptor brand. When producing it, the manufacturer took into account all the peculiarities of the insect’s existence, and this cover perfectly repels both adults and caterpillars.

Advice! Fur products are usually sold in covers. Save them, this will be enough if you do not have the opportunity to purchase a special case.

Post-purchase inspection

It is very important to carefully inspect it before purchasing an expensive product, since even in elite salons the fur can be contaminated. Carefully examine the fur coat for thin, long tracks of trimmed fibers. When you arrive home, you must hang it on the balcony.

Advice! You can air the fur only in absolutely dry weather, and this can be either a warm sunny day or winter frost.

Even if moth larvae already live in a new fur product, direct sunlight or low temperatures are guaranteed to destroy them.

What to do if a moth has eaten a mink coat

Many housewives, seeing that their favorite fur coat has been vilified by a flying insect, begin to get upset and think about how to get a new fur product. Of course, a new fur coat is always nice, but if the product is very much loved, then you want to save it. There are several tips on what to do if a moth has eaten your fur coat:

1. The fur product must be taken outside and trotted to remove all insects that may be in the most hidden places.
2. Mechanical action will help; you need to comb the fur . It is better to do this over a spread newspaper or a piece of unnecessary fabric, so that you can quickly wrap it up and destroy the pests.
3. Temperature treatment helps a lot . In summer you can hang your fur coat in the sun, and in winter you can leave it out in the cold.
4. If the degree of damage is very severe, after these two manipulations it is necessary to treat the fur product directly with an insecticide . After spraying with an aerosol, the product is placed in a special fur coat case. After a few days, repeat all manipulations, starting with shaking, until all the moths are completely removed.

There are some tips from experienced housewives that will help save the situation if it is not very difficult.

1. If the moth-eaten area is very small and is located near the collar or on the chest, then you can cover it with accessories. For example, a harmonious brooch or stole. Of course, it is better not to forget about this drawback and not to undress in public places.
2. Some thrifty housewives advise using a marker to paint over pieces of leather if the fibers have been removed in longitudinal lines. But, of course, the marker should match the color of the fur.
3. If the area is small and can be cut out, then this must be done. If you remove the damaged piece, and the remaining fabric can be joined so that the seam is not noticeable.
4. If the scale of the moth-eaten fur coat is quite large, and buying a new one is not included in your financial plans, then you can try to alter the products. The sleeves or collar can be remade from the hood, the central part can be recut. The lower parts can simply be cut off, thereby changing the model and removing damage.

If harmful insects have feasted on valuable fur, do not panic; you can try to save it. The article at the link describes in more detail how to reanimate fur products.

Prevention and proper storage of fur coats

Anti-mole cover.

To prevent the pest from appearing on your favorite fur clothing, it must be stored properly in the summer. Before you put your fur beauty in the closet, you need to prepare it. After the end of the season, be sure to remove all traces of wear and, if necessary, dry clean it.

Any damage to fittings and seams must also be removed, a kind of cosmetic repair. To prevent moths from affecting your favorite fur products, you must not skimp on a special anti-moth cover. It is impregnated with insecticides that repel pests.

Periodically during the winter, the entire wardrobe needs to be shaken out to ventilate things. There is no need to skimp on preventative measures; it is better to prepare several products that work well as flavoring agents, but are negative for pests.

Storage

How to store a fur coat from moths? There is an excellent solution to this issue. Covers for fur coats against moths, the least energy-intensive option for the owner of furs. By purchasing such a protective product at a reasonable price, you only need to pack your favorite item in this case in time, and then, without unnecessary actions and worries, it will be safely stored in it until the next season. The trick is that the inner surface of the case is impregnated with a special compound that repels harmful insects. Since the case is hermetically sealed, there is no risk to the fur product until next winter. As an alternative to a specialized storage container, you can also use the packaging case in which the mink coat was purchased.