Cleaning & Organizing Pest Control Spider & Insect Control

How to Stop Clothes-Eating Bugs Organically

Simple Methods to Prevent Bugs on Your Best Items

Hole in organic shirt by insect eating

The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

If you're worried about bugs eating the clothes in your closet or storage areas, you can protect your things by enclosing the item, implementing organic pest control measures, and removing the conditions these bugs love for hiding, eating, and breeding.

Here are the best ways to prevent this and keep them away from your clothing.

Types of Bugs That Eat Clothes

Moths are the most common bugs that eat clothes but are not the only insects that eat and destroy clothes. A moth's larval stage is the most problematic for clothes. That period is when they do the most damage to clothing. Carpet beetles are another widespread pest that eats clothing in the larval stage.

Holes in your clothes can be caused by moths, carpet beetles, and other common pests, including termites, cockroaches, beetles, crickets, silverfish, and firebrats. These insects mainly target wool, fur, hair fibers, cotton clothes, linen fabrics, and synthetic blends in closets or storage.

The bugs are also attracted to the "food" left on clothes through stains, body fluids, and body soil. Unfortunately, they often find their way into heirlooms that are in storage.

How to Prevent Bugs From Eating Clothes

To keep bugs away from clothes, don't let them get to them. Airtight containers, like plastic garment containers, are one of the simplest methods. Store the clothing with cedar blocks or herbal sachets to add a second layer of pest deterrents.

Pests are attracted to soiled clothes. Only store clothing that has been freshly laundered. Also, pests gravitate to dusty, filthy areas. Vacuum and dust regularly to remove dust and debris from corners, where debris collects and attracts pests like carpet beetles.

Consider Zevo, a commercial product that uses natural oils or other homemade green pest control methods to avoid the use of chemical insecticides. Organic, natural treatments are typically safer around children and pets and can be effective with attentive sanitation and repeat treatments.

How to Get Rid of Bugs That Eat Clothes

  • 01 of 06

    Organic Control of Carpet Beetles

    Carpet thoroughly vacuumed to remove clothes-eating insects

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    To control carpet beetles, there must first be a thorough cleaning of baseboards, corners, and edges of carpeting where debris accumulates that feeds the beetles. If beetles are detected, all clothing storage areas should be emptied to ensure proper cleaning.

    Vacuum thoroughly by going in different directions on the floor and carpet to remove adults, eggs, and larvae. The vacuum bag should be disposed of outside the home as quickly as possible, or the vacuum cup should be emptied into a plastic disposable bag to prevent re-infestation.

    Check other areas in your home for infestations—especially food storage areas—and discard anything infested. Items that cannot be discarded must be treated to kill eggs and larvae.

    You can freeze small items for 48 hours or heat them to a temperature above 120 Fahrenheit for several hours to kill the beetles. Wash or dry clean infested clothing before returning them to the clean closet.

  • 02 of 06

    Organic Control of Clothes Moths

    Sack of fresh dried lavender hanging in closet to prevent moths

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Clothes-eating moths can be repelled naturally in different ways: with dried lavender, essential lavender oils, and cedar blocks or chips. For these to be effective, the storage area must be tightly sealed and the natural products fresh. Cedar that is more than three years old is likely no longer effective. Cedar chests used for pest control must be sanded, and oils refreshed at least that often.

    No fabrics should touch the cedar directly, or staining can occur from the natural oils in the cedar. Place cedar chips in a cotton bag and hang it so the bag will not touch other fabrics. Always wrap folded items in a cedar chest in acid-free tissue paper before storing them.

    If you suspect an infestation, freeze clothes for 72 hours to kill the moth eggs and larvae. High temperatures can also kill insects in woolen materials. The temperature should be 110 to 120 Fahrenheit and maintained for 30 minutes or more. Take woolen garments outdoors every month or so, brush them, and expose them to sunlight to effectively control moths.

  • 03 of 06

    Organic Control of Cockroaches

    Borax and sugar sprinkled near open crack to kill cockroaches

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Non-pesticide methods of controlling cockroaches must be an ongoing sanitation and good home repair process. All windows and doors must be tightly closed and outdoor and indoor cracks caulked. Seal openings where electrical lines or water pipes pass through walls and floors. Repair plumbing leaks and eliminate other indoor moisture sources. Remove food crumbs and garbage from the home daily, and wash soiled clothing promptly.

    20 Mule Team Borax may be used as a relatively safe roach control that kills roaches by dehydrating the bug's exoskeleton. Do not allow small children and pets near the application because borax is toxic if ingested.

    Sprinkle the borax powder mixed with some sugar (three parts borax with one part sugar) in roach hiding places. It is slow-acting and can take up to a week to control the roaches. Reapply as roaches consume the borax mixture to keep infestations under control.

  • 04 of 06

    Organic Control of Crickets

    Closing window to prevent insects from coming indoors

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    Natural control of indoor crickets begins by removing sources of moisture and food. Wash soiled clothes promptly and seal any outdoor openings that may draw them inside. The use of glue-based bait traps is the best way to control crickets indoors without the use of pesticides.

    Continue to 5 of 6 below
  • 05 of 06

    Organic Control of Silverfish and Firebrats

    Desiccant sprinkled in moist kitchen cabinets to prevent silverfish

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    To naturally control silverfish and firebrats, you must remove the moisture and food these insects crave. Clean thoroughly and empty the vacuum outside or into a sealed container. Discard disposable vacuum bags immediately.

    Apply a desiccant like silica powder to absorb moisture in the area of infestation. Lower the temperature to below 60 Fahrenheit to slow reproduction. Use sticky insect paper to capture the insects during nocturnal activity.

  • 06 of 06

    Organic Control of Termites

    Wiping down closet cabinet with cloth to prevent insects eating clothes

    The Spruce / Leticia Almeida

    If you have termites inside your home in a closet, the problem is widespread throughout your home. You can improve the situation by cleaning closets and washing soiled clothing promptly.

    Removing outdoor debris and firewood from around your home's foundation and reducing moisture levels will also help. However, you will need commercial pest control to rid your home of termites.

FAQ
  • Why are bugs eating my clothes?

    Bugs, particularly larvae, are attracted to keratin in wool and fur as a protein source. They are also attracted to stains, sweat, and skin cells—all food sources for insects.

  • What can I put in my closet to keep bugs away?

    Natural repellents that can keep bugs away include sachets of cedar shavings and dried lavender. You can also line the closet with cedar blocks. Replace the sachets and cedar every two to three years once the potency of the essential oils fades.

  • Does washing clothes remove bugs?

    A hot water wash cycle or dry cleaning will kill bugs in clothing.

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  1. Hadrup. N., Frederiksen, M., Sharma, AK. Toxicity of Boric Acid, Borax and Other Boron Containing Compounds: A Review. Regulatory Toxicology Pharmacology, 121:104873, 2021, doi:10.1016/j.yrtph.2021.104873