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How to Safeguard Your Closets Against Pests

Brando Salazar • Jan 29, 2021

If you’re noticing small holes in the clothing stored in your custom closets , pests may be the culprits. Closets are an ideal spot for pests because they favor dark, confined areas. Prevention is the key to combating these pesky critters and the damage they cause, especially in warmer climates such as in Arizona.

Use the following tips to safeguard your closets and prevent pests from feasting on your favorite clothes.

What Pests May Inhabit Your Closets?

According to the University of Arizona , the closet pests that are most common in Arizona are clothes moths, carpet beetles, cockroaches, crickets, and silverfish. While these insects do not harm humans, they can wreak havoc on your clothes.

You are more likely to find pests inside your home and your closets during the summer months in Arizona. The Arizona Republic notes that much like people, pests try to escape the scorching temperatures outside for cooler indoor environments, including your closets.

How to Keep Pests Away from Custom Closets

Store Clean Clothes Only

Clothing with food stains, moisture, perfume, and dirt are magnets for pests. Clean and thoroughly dry your garments before storing them, even if you only wore an item once. Do not hang clothes outside to dry. Use the dryer or hang them inside your home.

Scrutinize Second-Hand Clothing

When buying used clothing in a thrift store or consignment shop, inspect garments for holes or tears before purchasing. You don’t want to bring any pests home along with the clothes. Wash items in hot water or dry clean before adding them to your closet.

Vacuum Regularly

To remove dirt, dust, and larvae, vacuum floors, carpets, rugs, upholstered furniture, or any other fabrics. Pay close attention to hard to reach spaces such as corners and along the wall. Don’t just focus on the floor - vacuum inside drawers and cabinets.

Say No to Starch

Ask your dry cleaner not to use starch on your clothes. Silverfish, in particular, feast on starch.

Deep Clean Your Closets

Deep clean your closet every few months. Remove all items and wipe closet walls, baseboards, and clothing rods with an all-purpose cleaner and a soft cloth.

Remove Clutter

Don’t give pests too many places to hide by letting clutter accumulate. To prevent overcrowding, donate or discard items you no longer want or need. Clutter is also an invitation for humidity and mold.

Inspect Rarely Used Items

Do you have heirloom clothing or other items you don’t often wear, such as a tuxedo or dress? Every few months, inspect the items, including pockets and seams, for signs of pests.

Use Cedar as a Repellant

The scent of cedar drives moths and carpet beetles away. Fill small containers with cedar chips or place blocks around your space. To prevent stains, do not allow your clothes to touch cedar directly. After three months, cedar loses its scent. Use sandpaper on the cedar to reawaken the smell. Hunker.com recommends storing “wool, leather, fur, and silk” garments in a sealed cedar chest.

Opt for Lavender

Lavender’s sweet fragrance repels pests. Make sachets with dried lavender and place them around your closets. Another idea is to spray your closets with a lavender solution.

Avoid Plastic Bags

Use garment bags made of breathable material when storing dresses, suits, or other expensive fabrics. Do not use the plastic bags from the dry cleaners. Plastic traps moisture, causing mold to form on your clothing.

Fill Holes and Cracks

Cracks and holes in the walls are an invitation for pests to enter your home. Most bugs have no problem entering through even the smallest hole or gap. Search the rooms around your closets regularly for cracks in the walls and fill them with caulk as soon as possible. Also, check window screens for any holes or tears.

Eliminate Moisture

Pests need water to survive. Check the walls, ceilings, and floors of your custom closets for signs of water damage. Dry the wet areas thoroughly and fix plumbing leaks to eliminate your closets as a source of water.

Conclusion

Keeping clothes-damaging pests away from your closets is a big challenge. To protect your clothing and your closets, use the tips in this article to fend off pests.