How to Get Rid of Small Black Moths

Small black moths aren’t dangerous household pests, as some of us might think. Many of them can be quite pretty or fun to watch as they fly seemingly erratically around well-lit areas of your house.

Clean your house and the drains thoroughly. You can vacuum your house or clean it with an eco-friendly cleaner to prevent dust and dirt from drawing moths into your house. You can also set a sticky trap. A mixture of water, vinegar, and soap will help trap the moths and eventually kill them. Additionally, ensure clothes that contain larvae or eggs are washed accordingly.

You must clear out these flies from your house to prevent an infestation. They can be a big nuisance in the house since they can ruin many good clothes, food, and other household items. Further, moth larvae can cause some allergic reactions or irritation when they make contact with your skin.

I used to wonder how I could get rid of these harmless yet irritating flies from my house. Then I discovered some essential tips to solve this problem. It’s so easy.

This article will extensively enlighten you on how to get rid of small black moths. Besides, you’ll learn about the different types of tiny black moths, major causes of small black moths in your house, and essential ways to prevent small black moths. Let’s start!

What are the Tiny Black Moths in My House?

There are different species of tiny black moths that are likely to be found in your house. The only way to know if they’ve infested your home is to know how to identify them.

Let’s look at each of them describing their distinctive features one after the other.

The Brown House Moth

This is the most common of all moths. To check for them in the house, they hide behind skirting boards, carpets, and crevices of the home.

They feed on the fabrics in carpets, clothing, and items that contain certain types of upholstery such as wool

Further, they commonly attack cereals, maize, oatmeal, barley, wheat, rice, seeds, pet foods, and potatoes.

Its larva, which is longer than an inch, feeds on organic debris detritus indoors as well as outdoors.

The Indian Meal Moth

Also known as the pantry moth, the Indiana meal moth dwells and thrives in the cabinet and food where its larvae too develop to the adult moth. They are notorious for attacking any type of food in the house; from grains, dried fruits such as dates, pet foods, seeds, nuts, and even fried milk.

The Indian meal moth is also known to form webs in food particles combining them, which also causes them to become stale and toxic for consumption.

The Clothes Moth (Tinea Bisselliella)

This type of black moth is one of the most known species. It survives mostly in natural fibers – wool and fur, where it also lays eggs and where the larvae develop. Also, this moth can be found in foods, especially grains stored away in cabinets.

The clothes moth is smaller compared to the other species. It’s 7mm in length and a wingspan of 9-16mm.

The Case Bearing Clothes Moth (Tinea Pellionella)

This type of tiny moth is commonly found in clothing, carpet, floor, skirting boards, and upholstery. You can also find them in the kitchen pantry feeding on dried fruits and nuts.

This moth has a wingspan of 9-16mm and the hairs on its head are darker in hue. Its forewings and hindwings have tiny hairs and indistinct dark spots.

What Causes Small Black Moths in the House?

Before you can get to know how to get rid of small black moths in your house, the first step is always to look at what attracts them.

Below are major causes of small black infestation;

Presence of Light

Small black moths often tend to gravitate towards light. Just like any other flies, they are photophilous, meaning they’re drawn to warm and lit areas such as indoor lighting or windows. Light is a great source of attraction to moths.

Therefore, if your doors or windows are open or you have holes or cracks in your exterior, it poses a risk of entry to the house.

Clothing

Another way in which small black moths can enter your house is through clothing. Often you’ll find small black moths in your wardrobes, attics, storage containers, rugs, or carpets.

When you purchase any type of clothing, particularly second-hand clothing, you’ll carry with you the eggs and larvae of these flies into your house. The eggs will eventually hatch into small black moths.

Pantry Foods

These tiny black moths are also drawn to foods and can be attracted by dry-stored foods. You’ll often find them in your kitchen cabinet, drawers, or pantry.

They tend to enter your home through packaging and containers from infested warehouses where eggs and larvae are hidden in the products. When you purchase these infested products, the moths with find their way into the storage areas of your home

Plenty of Food

Small moths such as the Indiana meal moths are attracted to adequate food. Either it’s flour, cereals, seeds, or fruits, as long as you have them, they’ll be there.  

Safety

Sometimes, small black moths will find themselves in your house for security purposes. In the house, there are fewer natural predators such as frogs, bats, or birds. Also, they can escape the rain or the snow with a sheltered place to sleep.

The male and the female moths will fly towards the inside of the home in search of a habitat, after which once they find a pleasant place, they’ll begin their reproductive process.

Whichever ways or reasons these flies got into your house, you just have to get rid of them.

How Do You Get Rid of Small Black Moths?

There’re plenty of ways you can use to get rid of small black moths to keep them from ever breeding and snacking in your home.

Here are some of the best ways to clear out moths;

1. Wash and scrub any areas you found larvae or eggs. Use vinegar and water solution to clean the areas.
2. Clothes that contain larvae or eggs must be thoroughly washed. You can use hot water and high heat in the dryer.
3. Freeze clothes or belongings that show signs of moths. In case you have clothes that can’t be washed or dried out, put them in the freezer for a day to kill the larvae or eggs.
4. Set a sticky trap. Use a mixture of water, sugar, vinegar, and soap then cover it with moth pheromones to attract moths and get them stuck to the surface. They’ll eventually die once they’re stuck.
5. Vacuum your floors, carpets, and moldings. To prevent larvae and eggs from growing and developing, try to clean your house with a vacuum, dusting cloths, and eco-friendly cleaner. Dust and dirt can draw moths into your house.
6. Maintain good ventilation. Regularly air out the house.
7. Throw out any contaminated food
8.  Locate and remove the breeding sites for these flies, which is the organic material that is collected in the drain.
9.  Seal and dispose of the vacuum bags or vacuum canister content as soon as you’re finished.
10.  Pest control expert. If you encounter moth infestation that is out of control, consider a local pest control company and see what solution they can offer. At times, removal and prevention techniques aren’t just enough.

Getting rid of small black moths from your house is good; however, you must take preventive measures to ensure your house isn’t infested.

How to Prevent the Small Black Moths

Prevention is always better than cure. Sometimes it’s vital to find ways in which you can prevent any small black moth from entering your house.

Here are some essential tips to prevent these flies from infestation.

• Always keep your doors closed and repair any holes in the window screens. This will prevent the moths from entering the house.
• Wash your clothes, air-dry them in sunlight, if possible before you store them for a long period. This process ensures that any eggs or larvae are rinsed out before they can mature.
• Use vacuum-sealed bags to store your clothes. You can use tightly sealed chests, plastic containers, sealed suitcases, or something similar to ensure moths can’t get inside and lay eggs.
• Crap off clothes made of wool or fur after you wear them outside.
• Keep food in air-tight containers made of glass or hard plastic.
• Don’t store clothes or belongings in the basement, garages, outdoor shades, or other areas that can be exposed to changes in weather. Keep storage areas always dry.
• Once in a while, clean the interior of the closet with an all-purpose cleaner, while paying special attention to corners, shelves, and baseboards.
• Consider natural repellents such as red cedar chips, cloves, lavender, dried orange pills, and ground black pepper. Place them in your wardrobe and drawers.
• Don’t save infested foods such as grains, nuts, and rice. Throw them away since moths eat and lay their eggs in these foods.
• Since moths thrive in warm, humid temperatures always control temperature and humidity in the kitchen. Make sure the windows and doors are closed when your air conditioner is running.