How to get rid of moths in an apartment?

Often, when faced with this domestic insect for the first time, some do not objectively assess its potential danger. And the result of such a neighborhood is spoiled expensive things and some products. Also, even furniture upholstery can become a prey for a pest. That is why it is important to know what there are ways to quickly and effectively get rid of moths in an apartment.

In the minds of most people, a moth is a small gray butterfly that lives and reproduces exclusively in premises for various purposes. The damage caused by these insects is often catastrophic. Based on the potential threat, it is important to first determine the reasons for the appearance of the pest in the apartment.

And in this case, in addition to the fact that the moth flies from the street, it is necessary to highlight other sources of danger.

1. Products easily become "transport" for pest larvae if storage rules are ignored by the manufacturer. The integrity of the packaging also plays an important role.
2. Food products purchased in the markets. Particular attention should be paid to dried fruits, mushrooms, as well as dry herbs and spices.
3. Wool, knitwear and fur items purchased in stores.
4. Carpets.
5. Soft furniture.
6. Representatives of the animal world. The problem is most relevant when it comes to representatives of the fauna with long hair, turning into a vehicle for the pest.
7. Ventilation systems, as well as communication shafts and tunnels, which are almost ideal communication routes between adjacent rooms. With their help, the moth safely assimilates new territories.
8. Often, even books brought from the library or from friends become the reason that moths appear in the dwelling.

Like all insects, moths go through several stages of development in a short time. At the same time, adults in the form of moths that fly around the premises are the most harmless and do not pose any danger to food and things. Their main responsibility is the continuation of the genus, resettlement and, of course, providing the offspring with food.... Most of the butterflies are males. And while people chase them around the apartment, actively clapping their hands and trying to catch, the females safely lay their eggs in the nest.

Signs that she started up in the apartment are:

• holes in things;
• damage to the fur;
• traces of larvae in the form of skins;
• cocoons;
• pest-gnawed passages in carpets and upholstery;
• the larvae, caterpillars and butterflies themselves.

It is necessary to focus on the fact that adults (butterflies) do not eat anything in such a guise for 2-3 weeks of their life. The insect at this stage consumes the reserves formed at the caterpillar stage. This is due to the absence of the mouth and the digestive system.

Many people know what an adult flying moth looks like. This insect belongs to the order of lepidopteran butterflies, which today numbers about 3000 species. Moreover, the moth itself is known for more than 4 dozen families. Of these, 30 species are pests, of which 14 are found in apartments on the territory of the Russian Federation. The street moth, which eats the leaves of apples and poplars, is also worth mentioning. She may well settle indoors, if these trees grow in the immediate vicinity.

The list of the most dangerous "neighbors" of a person includes the following types:

• grain and fruit;
• furniture;
• wardrobe;
• fur coat moth.

In addition, dwellings often suffer from invasions of the carpet species of the described insect pests. By the way, its representatives inflict damage not only on carpets, but also on leather and fur things. Butterflies have gray-brown colored wings with patterns. Also quite common is bookstore a moth that tastes like any printed matter.

In this case, we are talking about small insects with a limiting wingspan of no more than 16 mm and having a clay-yellow color. Some individuals have dark spots in front of the wings. Based on the name, you can guess the food preferences of this type of moth. Her diet includes things made from natural materials.

White larvae have almost no hairs and outwardly are very similar to worms. They have 8 legs on their abdomen. Through the whitish, but almost transparent skin, you can see the insides.

This type of moth is a light yellow butterfly with shiny wings and a brownish yellow head. The base of the wings has a brownish tint. The larvae primarily eat the hairy part of upholstered furniture. By the way, they often move along the patterns of the material.

In winter, the period of larval development takes about five months. In hot weather it takes 2.5 times less time. Adults (flying) individuals live for 3 months, or rather, from March to May inclusive. One generation is born in July and August.

Compared to the fur coat, this mole is large. The wingspan of the insect reaches 24 mm. From the base to the top, the wings change color from violet-brown to light yellow. The head of the insect has a small light fluff.

Clothes moth larvae can most often be found on woolen and drape fabrics. At the same time, they are in the depths, and from the outside, the affected areas are almost invisible. The outer layer of the material becomes very thin as a result and breaks through.

First of all, this category includes a grain pest, which is a silvery white insect. The front wings of the butterflies are adorned with a changeable pattern. They fly out twice a year: from mid-spring and then at the end of summer. The female is able to lay up to 100 eggs per grain at the rate of 1-2 eggs per grain.

The larvae use cobwebs to gather several grains together and feed on them. It is worth noting that pupation takes place here. By the way, the diet of grain moths also includes dried fruits and seeds.

The fight against this domestic pest has a rich history. During this time, the list of ways to destroy insects that bring impressive damage has been significantly enriched. It is worth noting that folk remedies help to get rid of moths in an apartment with varying effectiveness. The most popular and effective are the following options.

1. Lemon and orange peels, capable of protecting not only things, but also products.
2. Allspice and black pepperas well as rosemary, cloves and tobacco.Such strong spicy aromas will not please moths.
3. Laundry soap, which contains natural ingredients. It is most relevant in the fight against food and clothing pests.
4. Fir essential oil. It is believed that it has a detrimental effect on moth larvae. In small drops or with the help of a tampon, the agent is applied in the places of the alleged (possible) habitat of the pests.
5. Pyrethrum, or Caucasian chamomile, used in powder form and effective against flying individuals. The substance is laid out at the rate of 4 grams per 1 square meter.
6. Chestnuts... It is necessary to dry the fruits and then spread them between things and place in storage areas for products that attract moths.
7. Lavender (plant twigs or lavender oil), which helps to get rid of household pests in the shortest possible time.
8. Sagebrush - a natural remedy that not only effectively scares away flying moths, but also prevents its reproduction. The peculiarity of the action of wormwood is that its very pungent smell disorients the insect, which ultimately cannot lay eggs.
9. Geranium and nettleshaving a specific and pronounced aroma, effectively repelling insect pests.

Now queries on the topic "get rid of moths forever" remain relevant. And this, despite the whole arsenal of methods to combat this pest. The list of the latter, in addition to folk remedies for the destruction and repelling of insects, also includes modern devices and preparations. It is worth recalling that it is recommended to identify the presence of unwanted neighbors in an apartment as early as possible. Having identified a source of potential danger, it is important to immediately do everything in order to destroy it as soon as possible the first time.

The professional tools available today that allow you to quickly remove the mole in the conditions of an apartment and a private house are divided into two types.

1. Contact, which are produced by manufacturers in the form of sprays. In this case, the active substance is applied directly to the objects of attack by the moth, as well as to the inner walls of the cabinets. Such methods make it possible to remove insect pests very efficiently and with minimal time. The main thing is not to spray too much of the product during the processing.
2. Fumigation, which are agents with long-term effects. As practice shows, they are most effective when used in a limited space (wardrobes, chests of drawers, etc.) and enclosed spaces.

Unlike sprays and aerosols, these funds do not work so quickly. At its core, a fumigator is a compact device that is connected to a household power supply. These technical means work as follows:

• a plate is inserted into the device or a small bottle of liquid is screwed in;
• the device itself is plugged into an outlet;
• the heating element is activated;
• the evaporation of the active substance begins, which negatively affects the exterminated pests.

The main disadvantage of these devices is that in some cases the final results of their action, that is, a complete victory over insects, can be expected for 2-3 weeks.... The key plus is security fumigators for human and domestic animal health.

Now, taking into account numerous reviews, fumigators of the following brands can be attributed to the most effective and popular.

• Raptor - one of the undisputed leaders of the current popularity ratings. The main competitive advantage is efficiency. Both plates and liquids are used.

• "Dick" - a relatively cheap, but at the same time effective device, characterized by a long service life. Copes well with food and clothes moths.

• "Raid" - a kind of apparatus working with plates.

• Mosquitall - a device that provides for the use of insecticides in liquid form. The action of one device is enough to process 25 to 30 squares.

At the moment, the popularity of new generation devices is actively growing. These are aquafumigators, in which the active drug enters the air together with the generated steam, which contributes to its penetration into the most inaccessible places.

In this case, we are talking about special cans designed for spraying liquid insecticides. The latter are distinguished by their fast action, which makes the sprays the most effective control tool. When using aerosols, it is important to follow certain rules. The list of key points is as follows:

1. mandatory use of protective equipment, taking into account the characteristics of the substances used;
2. ensuring free access to fresh air and its circulation;
3. spraying the active substance with an emphasis on pest-affected areas;
4. after the main procedure, the cabinets and the room itself must be closed;
5. it is important to maintain the time specified by the manufacturer;
6. organization of high-quality ventilation.

The main advantages of these devices are:

• ease of use;
• maximum safety for residents and their pets;
• the possibility of using it as an effective prophylactic agent;
• relatively low cost.

Outwardly, the trap looks a lot like a miniature toy pyramid with holes for insects to enter. At its bottom there is a bait in the form of pheromones for males. Reacting to the smell, they flock, stick to the walls and die. Albeit not very quickly, but there are fewer insects. Sticky fixtures that are attached inside kitchen cabinets work in a similar way.

As a rule, traps remain effective for a month, and the list of the most popular options includes:

• Raptor;
• "Argus";
• Delta-250;
• Aerokson;
• Natural Control;
• Global.

In addition, traps in the form of small houses of the Swissinno brand have proven themselves on the good side. These devices are completely safe. One of the design features is insect access to the bait and sticky walls from the inside from four sides. It is important to remember that all traps are recommended to be used as reinforcement against the background of the use of other methods of removal and deterrence.

On the one hand, the effect of this type of moth control is aimed at scaring away butterflies and destroying the larvae. At the same time, the sections do not fully relate to chemicals. They are containers at the bottom of which the active substance is located. The latter is based on a mixture of essential oils, which is why the caterpillars often adapt to the smell emanating from the device.

As practice shows, you can count on maximum efficiency if you use sections after aerosols and active operation of fumigation means. Mostly positively, they speak about the following models:

• "Raptor" - sections, one of the key competitive advantages of which can be called a wide range of aromas, as well as the duration of action (up to 4 months) of active substances;
• "Moskitol"sold in the form of plates or compact bags with dry perfume.

In practice, these tools are quite effective. These modern briquettes are based on a combination of essential oils. It is worth noting that earlier the components were naphthalene and camphor. Their pairs, under their own weight, went down and prevented the laying of eggs by the females. It is important to take into account the toxicity of naphthalene, which is a potential hazard not only for the described harmful insects.

Now this tool has become not only more effective, but also absolutely safe. Today, according to reviews, the following drugs are in demand:

• "Antimol-Effect" - tablets with a pleasant lavender aroma and providing protection for woolen and fur items;
• "Desmol" - an effective remedy against pests belonging to the category of clothes, it is strongly recommended to exclude access to pills for pets and children, it is also important to place them away from food.

The indisputable fact is that it is always easier to timely prevent insects from settling in the house than to take measures to remove them later. And in the context of effective moth control, it is necessary to highlight the key points.

1. Thorough wet cleaning.
2. Careful examination of the purchased items. Particular attention should be paid to woolen, fur and felt products.
3. Checking products when buying them.
4. Store groceries in well-closed containers and cabinets.
5. Washing clothes before sending them to storage for a long time.
6. It is recommended to keep fur coats in paper covers, and things made of wool and fur - in polyethylene. Previously, such covers should be treated with special preparations. For fur hats, it is good to use fabric bags that have been previously washed with natural laundry soap.
7. Whenever possible, it is worth getting clothes hangers made of cedar. This is due to the fact that this material is a potent repellent.
8. In order to prevent the appearance of the described unwanted neighbors in cabinets and other places, you can place bags with lavender filler, as well as spices in bags and citrus peels.
9. Particular attention is paid to the ventilation of the premises. In addition, it is recommended to periodically hang things in the sun and frost.