You might notice it at first as just a flutter in the corner of the room. No big deal, right? But then another appears. And a few weeks later, your favorite sweater’s got holes in it. Or there’s something odd about the cereal - a tiny little caterpillar, a clump that shouldn't be there. That’s when it hits you: you’ve got moths. And getting rid of them isn’t as straightforward as you might hope it would be.
There’s no single timeline
Some households manage to clear a moth problem within a few weeks. Others? It drags on for months. On average, you're probably looking at somewhere between 4 and 12 weeks - though this really depends on how soon you act, and how deep the infestation goes.
And here’s the thing: it’s not the adult moths doing the damage. It’s the larvae. The tiny, hidden ones - they’re the ones chewing through clothes and dry goods, and they’re good at staying hidden.
Why it drags on
Moths have a sneaky lifecycle. Adults lay eggs, sometimes up to 40 or 50 at once, and those hatch into larvae that can feed for weeks. The process can be accelerated or slowed down by temperature, so warmer homes tend to see faster activity. But even then, it's not a simple, uniform routine.
You clean one day, and two weeks later, you spot new holes. That’s often a result of eggs you didn’t catch the first time around, and even thorough vacuuming can miss a few that are tucked deep in corners or fabric folds.
Clearing them out: a staggered process
Most people don’t solve a moth problem with a single deep clean. It usually takes repeated effort. First, identifying the source - whether it’s clothes moths or pantry moths makes a big difference. Then you’ll need to empty affected areas, wash or freeze items (yes, the freezer works), and throw out anything beyond saving.
Next, you’ll want deterrents: lavender sachets, cedar blocks, pheromone traps from places like Moth Prevention, airtight containers. And more cleaning. Moths thrive in still, undisturbed areas, so moving things around regularly can actually help prevent reinfestation, while also keeping your home looking clean and tidy.
Don’t stop too soon
One common mistake? Thinking the job’s done after the first go. You might not see adult moths for a while, but that doesn’t mean the larvae are gone. You’ll need to keep an eye out over several weeks, maybe even months, to be sure. Pheromone traps can help you monitor the situation without being invasive.
Sometimes, you’ll need backup
If you’ve tried the DIY route and still can’t seem to get ahead of the problem, professional pest control might be the way forward. They’ve got access to stronger treatments, and more experience tracking down hidden nests. But even then, it might take a couple of visits to fully resolve.
Moths aren’t always easy to beat. But with consistency, and the use of the right technologies, you’ll get there. Just don’t expect a miracle overnight, or you’ll end up both frustrated and with a potentially bigger problem on your hands.