When to Call a Pro for a Moth Infestation
Moths might seem harmless at first — just tiny, fluttering bugs that appear near a closet or pantry light. But when you start finding holes in sweaters or noticing small larvae in your food, it’s clear the problem runs deeper. A few stray moths can turn into a full-blown infestation faster than most homeowners realize.
Knowing when to call a professional pest control company can make the difference between a quick fix and an ongoing battle. Here’s how to tell when it’s time to bring in the pros — and how Specter Pest Control can help you stop moths for good.
Common Types of Moths Found in Homes
Before deciding whether you need a professional, it helps to know what kind of moth you’re dealing with. Most infestations fall into one of two categories:
- Pantry moths (Indian meal moths): These pests target dry food like cereal, flour, rice, pet food, and nuts. Adults are small, tan-and-reddish moths that hover around pantries or kitchens. The real damage comes from their larvae, which contaminate food with silk webbing and waste.
- Clothes moths (webbing or casemaking moths): These moths feed on natural fibers like wool, silk, or cashmere. Their larvae chew irregular holes in sweaters, rugs, and upholstery, leaving behind silken cases or webbing.
Each type requires a different strategy to fully eliminate — and a professional inspection ensures you’re targeting the right source.
Early Warning Signs of a Moth Infestation
Catching a moth problem early is the key to preventing major damage. Watch for these signs around your home:
In the Kitchen
- Small moths fluttering near pantry shelves or light fixtures.
- Sticky webbing or clumps inside food containers.
- Tiny white larvae in grains, flour, or pet food.
- A stale, musty odor coming from dry goods.
In the Closet
- Small holes in clothing or blankets made from natural fibers.
- Fine silk webbing or cocoons in drawers, corners, or baseboards.
- Faint brownish streaks on fabric.
- Adult moths flying out when you open the closet.
If you’re noticing multiple signs — especially larvae or webbing — the infestation has likely moved past what surface cleaning can fix.
DIY Methods That Can Help (to a Point)
There are a few steps homeowners can take to slow moth activity and prevent minor infestations from getting worse:
- Inspect and discard infested items. Seal affected food in bags and dispose of it outside immediately. For clothing, dry-clean or wash in hot water.
- Vacuum thoroughly. Pay close attention to corners, baseboards, and shelves where larvae hide. Empty the vacuum outdoors afterward.
- Wipe and clean storage areas. Use soap and water or vinegar to clean pantry shelves and closet corners.
- Use airtight storage. Store grains, flour, and pet food in sealed glass or plastic containers. Keep woolens in airtight bins or garment bags.
- Set pheromone traps. These traps help monitor activity and reduce the number of adult moths but won’t stop an established population.
While these methods can help prevent minor problems, they rarely eliminate infestations entirely. Moth larvae can survive in hidden cracks, behind baseboards, or inside air vents — spots that DIY cleaning can’t reach.
When to Call a Professional
If moths keep reappearing after cleaning and tossing infested items, it’s time to bring in a pest control expert. Here are the top signs it’s time to call a pro like Specter Pest Control:
- You’ve found larvae more than once. Recurring larvae mean there’s still an active breeding site somewhere in the home.
- The problem keeps spreading. Seeing moths in new rooms or closets signals a larger infestation.
- Damage is increasing. If clothing holes or food contamination are getting worse, you’re likely dealing with multiple breeding cycles.
- You can’t find the source. Professionals use inspection tools and experience to pinpoint where moths are hiding — often in overlooked areas like under appliances or behind wall voids.
- You want safe, lasting control. Pest control experts use targeted, low-impact treatments that eliminate moths while keeping your family and pets safe.
What Professional Moth Control Involves
A pest control professional doesn’t just treat the symptoms — they focus on eliminating the source and preventing future infestations. Here’s what a typical visit from Specter Pest Control includes:
- Thorough inspection: Identifying which moth species is present and locating all potential breeding areas.
- Targeted treatment: Using safe, effective methods to remove both adult moths and larvae in one integrated approach.
- Exclusion and prevention: Recommending sealing gaps, improving storage practices, and setting up long-term protection plans.
- Follow-up monitoring: Ensuring the infestation is completely gone and doesn’t return.
Specter Pest Control’s approach is modern, family-safe, and results-driven — no harsh chemicals, no unnecessary treatments. Just real, lasting solutions that protect your home and belongings.
Why Professional Help Matters
Homeowners often underestimate how persistent moths can be. Their eggs are tiny and resistant to many over-the-counter sprays, and larvae can survive for weeks hidden in materials that rarely get disturbed. A professional pest control company has the tools, training, and products needed to break the cycle completely.
By calling a trusted local provider like Specter Pest Control, you’ll not only get rid of moths faster — you’ll also avoid repeat infestations that waste time, money, and peace of mind.
The Bottom Line
You don’t have to live with moths — and you don’t have to wage a losing battle with DIY methods either. The key is knowing when to act and when to call in a professional.
If you’ve spotted moths flying around your pantry or noticed unexplained holes in your favorite clothes, it’s time to take action. Specter Pest Control can help you identify the source, eliminate the problem, and keep your home protected for good.
Schedule your free home inspection today with Specter Pest Control — your local, family-owned pest pros dedicated to safe, effective moth control you can trust.
