How to Avoid Insect Infestation in Custom Closet Systems

Protect Your Fabrics From Carpet Beetles

Carpet beetles are small insects that, despite their name, don’t only infest carpets. You could have carpet beetles in the closet even if you have wood or tile floors! They tend to feed on natural fibers, so your cotton, silk, and woolen clothing are what’s attracting them. 

Regular cleaning will help control carpet beetles, just like it will discourage most insects. Vacuum regularly, keep surfaces dusted, and only put clean clothing in the closet.

While you’re cleaning, look for small, oval-shaped insects and shed skins. You’ll also want to look at your clothing to see if you notice any damaged fabrics. If you do, it’s time to take action – store these fabrics in sealed containers (preferably plastic bags or airtight containers, so they can’t get in), and use an insecticide in the closet to kill them off.

Keep Your Closet Clean to Prevent Cockroaches

Cockroaches are a common household pest that would normally be attracted to rooms, like the kitchen and bathroom, where they’ll find food and water. If you have a severe infestation, though, you might begin to see them in your closet. This level of infestation would normally call for a professional exterminator.

To prevent cockroaches altogether, you’ll want to eliminate food sources and reduce moisture. In the closet, this means being careful not to put away clothing with crumbs or spilled food on it. Throw away any food wrappers; don’t leave them in your jeans pocket or purse. If your closet tends to be humid, use a dehumidifier, run a fan, or turn on your air conditioning system. This extends to the entire bedroom; once roaches get into your bedroom, they might use the closet as a handy hiding space.

You can also use cockroach bait or traps in the closet, or spray along the baseboards and behind furniture.

Store Wool Well to Defeat Moths

Adult moths won’t harm anything in your closet, but their larvae will. These tiny worm-like critters will eat holes in your woolen clothing. If you have wool, you’ll need to pack it away properly for the summer. Store it in sealed plastic bags or airtight bins to keep moths from laying their eggs in and around the fabrics.

Cedar and mothballs are most repellents, and you might want to use them. Most people don’t want the scent of mothballs on their clothing; cedar is a more popular and pleasant choice. You can get cedar chips or blocks, or you can use cedar to build a shelf to store your susceptible items. The Spruce has additional suggestions for dealing with clothes-eating pests.

Watch Humidity Levels to Banish Silverfish

Silverfish are normally found in musty, humid areas. You might see them in your bathroom or basement, and if you have a walk-in closet adjacent to your ensuite bathroom, they may find their way into your closet as well. You’ll want to dehumidify the space. Run the fan while you’re showering, and use a fan, dehumidifier, or air conditioner to keep the closet less humid.

In addition, keeping your closet decluttered and free from paper products (which silverfish like to eat) will go a long way toward discouraging these pests from wanting to be in the space altogether. 

Conclusion

If you’re dealing with an insect infestation of any kind in your custom closet systems, I can recommend cleaning thoroughly as your first step. If, after cleaning, dusting, vacuuming, and wiping everything down, you’re still seeing insects, try the suggestions above. Any continued activity should be addressed by a professional extermination company, who will know how to safely treat your closet and the rest of your house for insects.

Source

• https://www.thespruce.com/control-clothes-eating-pests-organic-methods-2145992