There's been a huge increase in moth infestations in Ireland this spring.

Rentokil has recorded a whopping 128% increase in call-outs from homeowners keen to rid their homes of the pests in the first quarter of the year. Apparently, moths thrive in a warm, humid environment and Ireland’s warmer and more humid weather has offered ideal breeding conditions. Left to wreak havoc without interruption, moths can cause thousands of Euro of damage to carpets, curtains and upholstery. The winged creatures can also set up home in a wardrobe or cupboard, damaging clothes and fabrics that may be stored for another season. So what can we do to protect our winter woollies from the jaws of hungry moths? Dr Colm Moore, Area Technical Manager at Rentokil says: ‘’When spring cleaning it’s important to make sure you get into cracks and crevices to get rid of pests. Once inside the home, moths lay eggs in dark and rarely disturbed areas where clothes or other textiles are stored." High risk areas include spare rooms, under beds, infrequently used wardrobes and attics where moths are attracted to discarded bird nests. Vacuuming regularly will remove moth eggs before they hatch. Some indications that there is already a moth problem in your home include: adult moths (often crawling rather than flying); maggot-like larvae (moth caterpillars); the silken tubes or cases in which moth larvae live; and pupae (silk cocoons) in which larvae turn into moths. *shiver*