Domakihub How to Get Rid of Moths and Keep Them Gone
A practical room-by-room method for eliminating clothes moths and pantry moths from your home, rental, or hotel.
Reviewed by Domakihub home & decor pros · 2026-06-23 · 5 min read
Moths can quietly destroy wardrobes, ruin stored food, and embarrass property owners before guests even unpack. In Greece's warm climate — where homes and holiday rentals often sit unventilated for weeks — moth infestations build faster than most people expect. The video above covers a pest professional's full elimination method; this guide breaks it down into clear, ordered steps you can act on today.
Two Types of Moths, One Problem
The two species you are most likely to encounter in a Greek home are the clothes moth (Tineola bisselliella) and the pantry moth (Plodia interpunctella). Clothes moths target natural fibres — wool, silk, cashmere, and linen — while pantry moths colonise dry goods such as grains, nuts, dried herbs, and pasta. Identifying which type you have is the first step, because the treatments differ.
Clothes moths prefer dark, undisturbed spaces: storage boxes, the back of wardrobes, under rugs, and folded blankets left in spare rooms. Pantry moths concentrate in kitchen cupboards. A simple check is to look for small silk tubes or webbing on fabric, or fine webbing and larvae inside dry food packets.
Why Greece's Conditions Make Moths Worse
High summer temperatures, low humidity in many island and southern properties, and long periods when a holiday rental or second home sits empty all accelerate moth cycles. A single unmated female clothes moth can lay up to 200 eggs, and larvae hatch faster in warm conditions. Hotels and rental operators face added risk because imported goods and guests' luggage can introduce new infestations without warning.
Regular airing of rooms and rotating stock in kitchen cupboards reduces risk substantially, but once moths are established, a structured elimination process is needed.
How to Get Rid of Moths: Step-by-Step
- 1
Locate and identify the infestation
Before buying any product, confirm which moth you have and where they are concentrated. Open every wardrobe, pull out storage boxes, and check the undersides of rugs. In the kitchen, inspect all dry goods, especially items that have been in the cupboard for more than a month. Discard any food packaging showing webbing or larvae — seal it in a bag before putting it in the bin to prevent spreading.
- 2
Deep-clean the affected area
Vacuum thoroughly: wardrobes, shelves, drawer runners, carpet edges, and any cracks or crevices where eggs and larvae hide. Empty the vacuum cleaner immediately into an outdoor bin. For kitchen infestations, wipe every shelf with a diluted white vinegar solution — moths dislike the acetic acid, and it dissolves the sticky residue that eggs cling to. Wash all fabrics that can be laundered at 60 °C or higher, which kills all moth life stages.
- 3
Use targeted treatments for clothes moths
Place pheromone moth traps in wardrobes and storage areas. These lure male moths and break the breeding cycle. For items that cannot be washed at high temperature — delicate wool, silk, vintage textiles — seal them in airtight bags and place them in the freezer for at least 72 hours. The cold kills eggs and larvae without damaging fabric. Cedar blocks and lavender sachets are useful for prevention but will not eliminate an existing infestation on their own.
- 4
Treat pantry moth hotspots
Remove all items from the affected cupboard and wash the interior with hot soapy water, paying attention to joints and corners. Use a pheromone trap designed specifically for pantry moths — the pheromone formulation differs from clothes moth traps. Transfer dry goods into hard-sided airtight containers (glass or thick plastic) so that any remaining eggs cannot hatch into the wider cupboard. Bay leaves placed in containers are a mild natural deterrent.
- 5
Prevent reinfestation
Maintain a routine: vacuum wardrobes and rugs every few weeks, air natural-fibre garments regularly, and inspect new food deliveries before storing them. For holiday rentals and hotels, inspect incoming linen shipments and do a moth check during each property changeover. If the infestation was severe or is in a large property, consider a professional residual spray treatment along skirting boards and wardrobe bases — a single professional visit can protect for months and is cost-effective relative to replacing damaged stock.
Rather have a pro handle it?
Get a vetted pest control pro in your city — one number, booked in EN/EL/DE.
FAQ
- Are moth balls safe to use at home?
- Traditional naphthalene moth balls are toxic to humans and pets if inhaled or touched, and their use is restricted or discouraged across the EU. Safer alternatives are pheromone traps, cedar wood, and lavender. If you need a chemical treatment, consult a licensed pest controller who can apply low-toxicity residual products correctly.
- How long does it take to get rid of a moth infestation?
- A mild infestation treated thoroughly can be cleared in two to four weeks. Severe infestations — particularly in carpeted rooms or properties with large stocks of natural-fibre textiles — may require six to eight weeks of consistent effort because eggs can remain dormant for some time. Pheromone traps help you monitor whether moth activity is declining.
- Can moths damage a holiday rental's reputation?
- Yes. Guests who find damaged clothing or webbing in kitchen cupboards will leave negative reviews. Property managers in Greece should include a moth inspection in their seasonal deep-clean routine, particularly before the summer rental season begins and after the property has been closed for winter.