Dealing with a moth infestation can be a frustrating and costly ordeal which more and more of our customers are tackling.
These frustrating insects wreak havoc on valuable furniture and a commercial freezer is an effective, eco-friendly solution.
Follow our how-to guide on using a commercial freezer to kill clothes moths and protect your rugs, sofas and clothes.
Why use a Walk-in Freezer to kill moths?
A walk-in freezer can be a game-changer in the battle against clothes moths:
1. Cold Kills Moths: Clothes and their larvae are sensitive to extreme cold temperatures. You can effectively eradicate the infestation without using harmful chemicals by subjecting them to freezing conditions.
2. Preserve Fabrics: Unlike traditional pest control methods, freezing clothes won’t damage the fabrics. It’s a safe and non-toxic way to protect your clothing.
3. Cost-Effective: Most people have access to a regular household freezer, but a commercial freezer offers more space and lower temperatures, making it a practical choice for larger infestations.
Materials you’ll need to kill clothes moths
Before getting started, gather these materials:
1. Commercial Freezer: If you don’t own one, rent one with Wessex Refrigeration Hire.
2. Plastic Bags or Bins: These will help protect your clothes from frost and moisture during freezing.
3. Vacuum Cleaner: Remove loose larvae or moths from your garments before freezing.
4. Natural Moth Repellents: To prevent future infestations, consider using natural repellents like cedar chips, lavender sachets, or mothballs.
Step-by-step guide
Follow these steps to use a commercial freezer to eliminate clothes moths:
Step 1: Inspect and Clean
First of all inspect your items for signs of moths or larvae. Use the vacuum cleaner thoroughly to remove any existing moths or eggs, paying special attention to folds, seams, and pockets.
Step 2: Isolation
If you can, cover the items with sealed plastic bags or bins. Making sure they are airtight will help prevent moisture during freezing.
Step 3: Freezing
Set the commercial freezer to the lowest possible temperature, ideally below -20°C, the colder, the better. Place your items inside the freezer, spreading them out for even cooling.
Step 4: Freezing Duration
Leave your rugs, sofas, or clothes in the freezer for at least 72 hours but ideally 1 week. This extended period will make sure that the extreme cold penetrates deep into the fabric, killing moths and the larvae.
Step 5: Thaw and Monitor
After freezing, remove your clothes and furniture from the freezer and thaw at room temperature. Check through each item for any remaining moths or larvae and if you find any, repeat the freezing process.
Step 6: Prevention
Consider placing natural moth repellents like cedar chips or lavender sachets near your rugs, clothes or sofas to avoid future infestations. Regularly cleaning and inspecting your items will catch moths at the early stages and avoid a moth infestation.
Using a commercial freezer is an effective and eco-friendly way to kill clothes moths. By following this step-by-step guide, you can protect your valuable garments and furniture from these destructive pests while preserving their quality. Remember that prevention is vital, so take measures to keep moths at bay even after you’ve successfully eliminated them with your freezer.
Renting a commercial freezer from Wessex Refrigeration Hire is a cheap solution to this problem, costing around £250 for a 1 week rental, but our rate for a longer term reduces significantly.
Contact gareth@refrigerationhire-ie.stackstaging.com or 01458 552323 for a quote and same day delivery can be arranged.
