Question 1

Do pheromone traps kill female moths?

Accepted Answer

No. Pheromone traps only attract and catch male moths. They are monitoring tools that help you detect moth presence and track infestation levels. They do not eliminate the larvae that actually eat your clothes, and they don't catch the egg-laying females. You need to treat textiles directly with heat, cold, or dry cleaning to address the full lifecycle.

Question 2

What temperature kills moth larvae and eggs?

Accepted Answer

Hot laundering at 120°F (49°C) for 20-30 minutes kills all stages in washable items. For freezing, hold items at 0°F (-18°C) for at least one week, or at -20°F (-29°C) for 72 hours minimum. Both methods are backed by university research and work reliably when done correctly.

Question 3

Can cedar replace heat treatment or dry cleaning?

Accepted Answer

No. Cedar oil can kill small larvae in tightly sealed containers, but it won't eliminate large larvae and its effectiveness drops as the wood ages. Cedar is a useful deterrent layer after you've already treated items with heat, cold, or dry cleaning. It's not a standalone solution for active infestations. UC IPM research confirms cedar works best as prevention, not treatment.

Question 4

How long does it take to get rid of clothes moths?

Accepted Answer

With aggressive treatment, you can clear an active infestation in 2-4 weeks. My two-week rescue plan involves treating all textiles (wash, freeze, or dry clean), vacuuming thoroughly, and monitoring with traps. Success means trap counts drop to zero and stay there. Half-measures or skipping steps extends the timeline significantly.

Question 5

Are mothballs safe to use in a small apartment?

Accepted Answer

Mothballs (especially paradichlorobenzene) are toxic and only work in sealed containers anyway. In a small lived-in space like a studio apartment, the fumes are not safe for daily exposure. Temperature methods (hot wash or freezing) and proper airtight storage are safer and more effective alternatives for apartments.

What finally worked to eliminate clothes moths in my tiny NYC apartment

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