Six Simple Methods for Preventing Closet Pests
- Remove dirty clothes
- Vacuum regularly
- Store off-season items in airtight containers
- Reduce clutter
- Use a clothing brush
- Use natural repellents
Identify What Pests You Have
Each area has pests that are more common than others. Residents of Kansas are more prone to seeing carpet beetles and carpet moths than other types of insects. However, you can also fight against ants, cockroaches, and rodents.
Ants, roaches, and rodents can be problematic in almost any room. They are primarily attracted to food. Mice like to find soft things to make their beds and chew holes in clothing to get what they want.
Carpet beetles and carpet moths are pests that are harmful to fabrics of all types. They feed on these fibers. They are not harmful to humans, but they can cause rashes if they make contact with your skin.
Remove Dirty Clothes
Storing your dirty clothes hamper in your closet might not seem like a big deal. You may even have a built-in hamper to make it simpler to change clothes. However, you should try to find a different place to toss your dirty clothes and not keep them in the same room as your clean ones.
Pests are attracted to dirt and sweat deposits on your clothing. Clothes you have only worn for a couple of hours will still have oils and dirt on them. Always wash your clothes before returning them to your closet.
Vacuum Regularly
Weekly vacuuming can help to cut down on the number of pests you see in your closet as well. Vacuuming helps to cut pests off from their food supplies. When you vacuum, empty the canister or bag immediately.
Store Off-Season Clothes in Airtight Containers
You need to keep your closets from getting too crowded as it helps reduce the likelihood of pests and mold. Rotating your seasonal clothing is a good idea to free up space. If you store your seasonal clothes, you want to make sure they are clean before putting them away for several months.
Store your clothing in airtight containers to protect against dirt and pests. If you are worried about your fabrics getting musty from being shut up for months at a time, add a small satchel of lavender. The lavender will keep your clothes smelling fresh and deter pests.
Reduce Clutter
You might not realize it, but having jam-packed closets is an invitation for bugs and pests to come in. To reduce your risk of an infestation, keep clutter to a minimum.
Periodically go through your piles of stuff to determine what needs to stay and what needs to go. When possible, store your items in airtight containers to keep pests from making a meal or a home out of your belongings.
Use a Clothing Brush
According to Realsimple.com, investing in a clothing brush is an excellent way to help cut down on some fabric-eating pests. It is best to brush your clothing outside in the sun. The brushing action helps to destroy and knock off pests, which you don’t want to inadvertently infest your freshly cleaned carpet. Sunlight causes them to release from clothing and fall off.
Use Natural Repellents of Lavender and Cedar
As thespruce.com notes, there are several natural repellents to help keep pests at bay, lavender being one of them. It’s simple to use, just fill some muslin cloth bags or sachets with dried lavender. Hang the bags on your clothing rod or place them in your closet drawers. You may even consider sprinkling lavender essential oils around the room.
Cedar is another good deterrent for pests. You can use cedar blocks or cedar chests to protect your clothes. If you use a cedar chest, make sure you sand and refresh the oils every three years. Cedar pieces older than three years will not drive pests away.
Also, ensure that the cedar does not directly touch your clothing as cedar oil can stain. To prevent this from occurring, line your chest with tissue paper before putting clothing inside or place cedar chips in a cotton bag and hang it away from your clothes.
Conclusion
Pests are a part of life. They share the world you live in. However, that doesn’t mean you have to live with them getting into your house and destroying your clothes. Reduce the amount of food available to them by removing dirty clothes and storing off-season items in airtight containers. With routine vacuuming and cleaning, you can protect your closets and your home from pests.