Clothing moths in vestibule
Dear neighbors, Even after extermination, we have clothing moths in our vestibule. A couple per day. We are stumped – could they be up in the woodwork, in crevices, or coming in from outside via gaps in the door? We also sprayed/fumigated the vestibule with 91% alcohol last night, and today still found moths We have been fighting moths for a while – so are ready to be done with this. Any help would be appreciated! Thanks!
citizenjane
in General Discussion 3 years and 7 months ago
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23 replies
andriywww1990 | 3 years and 6 months ago
jane, thank you for acknowledging me on here. I did not mind spending a little time exploring at no charge and sometimes contractor’s have to do that anyway (no expectation of getting a job). if you really narrow this down and wish me to come open anything up or remove any trim, especially around the doors as door work is my forte, i can return.
if i had the time, i would do other handyman like stuff, but restoring doors and running a “handyman” service for doors (fixing pocket doors, installing mortise locks, resetting hinges, and weather sealing old wood doors with period looking weather strip) keeps me more than busy.
stevecym and doorsby are the same.
cate | 3 years and 6 months ago
The infestation does sound terrible, and since it’s apparently widespread, perhaps calling in the pros is not the best move now. It does seem as though locating the source is the most important thing. (Could be diffuse.) Inside walls is somehat unlikely although I suppose possible. Bugs can travel through openings between floors along exposed heating pipes and, as far as I can tell, around window pockets. Also, I don’t know if this is true of moths, but roaches and carpet beetles simply love to live in cracks in wood casings and floors. Exterminators will treat all the cracks around wood (casings, floor) in a home with chemicals they can reach.
citizenjane | 3 years and 6 months ago
I would like to give a big thanks and shout out to @stevecym for coming to do some reconnaissance in our vestibule to try to identify the location/source of the moths. He did the breaking into our walls above the door frame and looked to see if our doors may be contributing to the problem. We couldn’t find the source of the moths, but at least now we have ruled out some options and we have an opening in the wall to eventually fill with some moth killing product which may seep more deeply into the right locations. And he offered his services pro-bono – that was too generous! Many thanks again @stevecym!
citizenjane | 3 years and 6 months ago
@livingthedreamgreenpoint and @cate – thank you both for your perspectives – they are both highly valuable. I really appreciate your insights and support. In fact, we did have moths on the top two floors and basement of our home. After 2 professional treatments by GreenEarth (they do not guarantee results but are quite responsive), I thought that I had identified the source in the vestibule b/c about 2 weeks ago, that is the only place we found them. Specifically there were some cracks above the decorative molding on the inner door of the vestibule. But we broke into that wall yesterday and found no signs of moths. It is now covered with plastic and there are still moths appearing in the vestibule, but also a lot in the hallway on the top floor and bedrooms above the vestibule. So I am thinking that somehow they are in the ceiling or walls in the area from the vestibule backwards along the ceiling next to it. that said, I am just not sure anymore. I am also thinking of trying to tape up the old skylight in the hallway. We have lived here for 10 years and never had moth problems, so I don’t know why they would be coming inside through any door or window now. I wish there was some infrared light or sensor we could use to find these – I feel we are grasping in the dark. We have sealed our front doors in both directions. As for impact on our lives, we have been living with ALL fabric items in bags for more than 6 months and swatting moths every night. And several thousand dollars down the drain. It is highly frustrating and undermining.
cate | 3 years and 6 months ago
The infestation appears to be confined to a specific place. That’s very important because it will increase the chance of success and also keep costs down. Likely an expert will use premetherin and diamataceus earth, returning for two or three treatments to be sure all the eggs/pests are gone. You should try to vacuum there with a handheld shopvac first. When they are done and you are sure the pests are gone, seal it all up with joint compound (the area isn’t visible so you can do it yourself). Maybe also seal cracks in the wood with clear caulk. Use a firm that specializes primarily in bedbugs (but does other things too) and guarantees their work. I would estimate they’ll charge $300 to $900 because it’s localized. It’s not going to take them long to do this job. (The other products mentioned above are gases and require sealed spaces.They don’t seem appropriate for this situation.) Another thing — you should make sure the entry is sealed so moths can’t get into it from the outside. Also try to prevent them from flying in when the door is open. Is there a nearby tree or a light close to the door that attracts them?
JoeBrikman | 3 years and 6 months ago
It’s true you must be very careful when using a product like this. We used this while our kids went to visit the grandparents, and were careful to follow the instructions closely (seal closets air tight, use the correct plastic, etc.). In my original post I left out the years of trying every other product on the market (safer and greener products, escalating to Onslaught and Nyguard with an growth inhibitor), consulting professional pest control experts, which cost thousands, trying heat treatments and more. In our case, there was no safer or more effective option. Everyone has to decide for themselves their tolerance. Personally, I was unwilling to live with these pests and I’m grateful a product like this exists.
cate | 3 years and 6 months ago
We’ve dealt with every insect but clothes moths (including bedbugs and carpet beetles), and I would caution against using poison yourself in the manner described above. If you want to use poison, consult with a bedbug/moth expert. For one thing, they have lots of other options that are much safer to use and also more effective. Also, something contained like this will not be very costly. At one point, I went to the hospital for breathing in a pest strip that had been sealed in a bag.
JoeBrikman | 3 years and 7 months ago
We have a 4 story home and we live on the upper triplex. At its worst point it seemed they were everywhere. First step was to eliminate any obvious infestation, in our case, a wool rug and a bag of handmade wool children’s clothes. Then clean, vacuum, traps etc, but this did not fix it. Finally we found the Nuvan strips and we put them in areas where moths breed. For us that was all closets with clothes in them (one strip per closet, and seal for 2 weeks). Then we wrapped rugs with 2 mil plastic and put 1-2 strips in for at least 1 week. Then finally we bought Sawyer Permethrin spray. This is a safe product and meant for clothing. We sprayed this on the inside of dressers, all curtains, and floors. At this point it seemed they were gone. We placed traps so we could monitor if there was any activity. After 2 weeks there were 3 moths on the trap in my closet, so I repeated the Nuvan strip. It’s been several months now and I have not seen any moths. I will keep vigilant and keep the traps out, so at first sight I can repeat if necessary. This really worked, and I hope it does for you too!
citizenjane | 3 years and 7 months ago
@livingthedreamgreenpoint-thanks very much for this suggestion. how did you use these? 2-3 strips per room? and how long did you leave your home so they would work? did you have a large home? we have 2 floors and I fear that there is an infestation in the walls. I’d highly value learning more about your experience to see if it could parallel ours. How long have you been moth-free? @Bob Marvin, I hear you about the risks – thank you very much for pointing them out. Thanks again community – you’re the best!
RobertGMarvin
in General Discussion 3 years and 7 months ago
That seems a bit extreme. This is from the top review on Amazon–I personally think I’d rather live with moths:
“You MUST take precautions:
– Nuvan can injure or kill you or your pets just as effectively as insects. Symptoms of exposure start with a feeling of tightness in your chest, then watery eyes and dry mouth.
– You MUST wear an organic vapor-rated respirator and nitrile gloves any time you’re handling the strips. I used 3M model 6001PB1 cartridges for my respirator.
– Use 3 MIL OR THICKER plastic or garbage bags. Nuvan gas PASSES RIGHT THROUGH regular and even heavy-duty garbage bags that are less than 3 mil thick. This info isn’t easy to find, and I got “nipped” by the gas because I was only using heavy-duty garbage bags. Fortunately, I recognized the sudden feeling of tightness in my chest and immediately put on my respirator and opened the garage door for ventilation.
– Seal bags with box tape or duck tape. Cinching the bags closed isn’t sufficient.
– Ve ntilate the area with a fan that sends air outdoors.
– Be certain the foil package is completely resealed after any time you open it”.
JoeBrikman | 3 years and 7 months ago
We have been through a very long battle with clothing moths and I think we finally solved it. Vacuuming and cleaning, traps, sprays, nothing worked. It’s tricky because their life cycle can be 30 months (!!!). The only thing that worked was Nuvan strips. It’s a miracle. Use as directed.
citizenjane | 3 years and 7 months ago
@stevecym, @bob marvin, @doorsbythetinkerswagon, @arewedoneyet – I think I have isolated our moth source. even though I doused all cracks and similar parts of our vestibule in 91% alcohol, twice, 2 moths are still appearing each day. I now have sealed both doors, and we are still seeing 2 moths in the vestibule. I finally took photos of the space behind the decorative door frame, and there are major cracks and 100+ years worth of dust. this must be it, I am praying. Now…. how do we go about filling up these holes? It is extremely hard to reach. any recommendations? Photos of the suspicious spots are attached. I will also make a general posting/request. Thanks again! [C8B1440E-CFF5-40FC-8877-67F2F26B805B](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:u0M3:c8b1440ecff540fc887767f2f26b805b.jpeg.jpg) [C0E092F4-6000-4D6A-87EB-9844614B5DC2](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:C6AV:c0e092f460004d6a87eb9844614b5dc2.jpeg.jpg) [45A51468-1EC5-42AA-A87A-D518C8173776](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:qZzB:45a514681ec542aaa87ad518c8173776.jpeg.jpg) [1DC28CFF-14A2-4FF8-B428-63DE4CF549D7](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:VMTi:1dc28cff14a24ff8b42863de4cf549d7.jpeg.jpg) [97E84D52-283C-4ADC-BB89-4E6B432F6E05](//muut.com/u/brownstoner/s3/:brownstoner:RQnb:97e84d52283c4adcbb894e6b432f6e05.jpeg.jpg)
stevecym | 3 years and 7 months ago
I used to write training manuals for paper mills and from what I saw going into the debarkers and chippers, paper is organic. Bob, you should try some, it’s high in fiber.
RobertGMarvin
in General Discussion 3 years and 7 months ago
@citizenjane, Unfortunately blown-in cellulose insulation IS ground up newspaper.
citizenjane | 3 years and 7 months ago
@ Bob Marvin, I believe they prefer to eat organic material, paper as a secondary substitute. Maybe cellulose too? I hope not for you! @ Stevecym – yes, the larvae are the problem. If they can be sprayed, the problem goes away. The moths have come and go, but are definitely more in the warm weather. I put a moth trap outside of the door under our stoop and gathered TONS of moths. I just can’t see exactly where they are coming from. I wish there were experts somewhere in finding nests! I will research and let you know if I come up with anything.
RobertGMarvin
in General Discussion 3 years and 7 months ago
They EAT ground up newspaper type insulation? We had cellulose fiber insulation blown in 45 years ago—maybe THAT’S why we’ve never been able to entirely eliminate the critters, although the traps do control them pretty well.
stevecym | 3 years and 7 months ago
So, I just read about these things. The moths are not the problem, the larva are and until you find the nest, they will keep appearing. Same way it was for us years ago. And if you have any old insulation around, I am thinking the ground up newspaper type, they will eat that sort of stuff.
stevecym | 3 years and 7 months ago
Does this happen in the winter? If it happens all year, I suspect they are closer to the heated inside. I only know these things from that one experience and I do not think they thrive in the cold. If summer only, maybe toward the front. Is it possible a camera could catch them coming out? I think alcohol is good. I was thinking ether but I didn’t want to tell you to do that.
citizenjane | 3 years and 7 months ago
Thanks arewedoneyet – we are definitely doing all that. @doorsbythetinkerwagon, I think the nest is somewhere amidst the cracks around the vestibule or somehow between the vestibule and under the stoop below it. It is the one part of the house we haven’t renovated yet. I am going after them with a vengeance – also using approaches like you have mentioned. Tonight I use a 6 foot ladder to inspect above the door frames and close any spot. All crevices have been sealed (I believe) except there is some space around the most external door. I can’t imagine why they would be coming in from outside, but that is our last resort – sealing the outer door to see if they stop. Fingers crossed! (we are using 91% alcohol spray to kill the eggs and moths we find.)