Proton Environmental Moth Control

19/05/2023

15/05/2023

Have you found holes in your clothes or in your carpet, or perhaps you're just fed up with battling moths every year and spending your money on DIY moth control products, which don't work as well as you hoped?

If any of this sounds familiar you're not alone and you're in the right place. At Proton we've successfully dealt with many hundreds of moth infestations in every kind of property, from traditional homes, to new build flats and businesses - even a 500 year old mansion.

We're not just another general pest controller, at Proton we are moth control specialists.

Due to the unprecedented increase in the demand for this service in recent years we've developed our own unique processes, as well as gathered a wealth of experience in dealing with this exact problem.

And whilst we know that a moth infestation is not a threat to our physical health, it can be a cause of major anxiety for those who are affected by it.

So why not let us manage your moth control problem and restore your peace of mind.

We'll also enable you to monitor and deal with any further appearances of this very annoying and extremely destructive pest.

If you need some help or advice, you can contact us in a number of ways :

✅ give us a call on 08004334825
✅ send an email to [email protected]
✅ contact us via our website: https://protonmothcontrol.com/contact-us/

Or you'd simply like some tips and hints on controlling moth, check out our FB page
https://www.facebook.com/ProtonMothControlLondon/

09/05/2023

Do Moth Traps Work?
A better questions might be - what are moth traps for ?
A mouse trap will catch a mouse and the problem is dealt with. Many people expect the same from moth traps, but it is not the same.
Have you ever heard this :- “moth traps attract male moths and therefore break the breeding cycle and help to prevent a moth infestation"
Unfortunately this is not the case and there is some confusion around what they are actually for.
Moth traps are used for moth monitoring and provide useful information :
- Are there moth?
- Which species
- Where is the problem most concentrated?
- When is the problem most evident etc..
So why the misconception about moth traps?
Traps are often used in conjunction with long term breeding control products. Breeding control products (we use a product called Insectrac) use the same pheromone, but in a different way, to disrupt breeding of male and female moths.
This is a very successful method of breeding control that we use in homes and businesses.
If you have a long term problem with moth, or have had several treatments with a pest control company, it may be time to look at other options. Give us a call on 08004334825 to discuss these.

05/05/2023

If we’re really asking - can anyone guarantee you’ll never see a single textile moth ever again in your property… it’s a NO from us!
But, If we’re really asking - can I ever stop worrying that any cashmere or wool garment, or even new carpet I buy is going to be damaged by moths? - then in our experience, the answer Is an emphatic YES!
Bearing in mind of course, that we’re dealing with nature here, not man made systems like wires and switches - by which we mean moths and other creatures are usually highly adapted to our environment and in a constant struggle to survive.
There is always an unknown quantity…
We often say with pest control it’s more like consulting a doctor than taking your car to the mechanic. With the car: it’s either fixed or or isn’t… but the doctor will prescribe a course of treatment and often say something along the lines of, “try this and let’s see how you are in a few weeks”… as if to say let’s see how your natural system reacts to this intervention, but leaving room for the unknown quantity.
Back to the practical side of things. Assuming an infestation has been treated as thoroughly as possible including the removal of all moth debris and frass - as well as infested material itself where possible. Then the two most important tools to get moth free (if you’re not already) are:
A good monitoring system
A good housekeeping regime
If you feel you need some help with moth control in your home or property, give us a call 08004334825

03/05/2023

Knowing where to look…
We recently attended a property that had reportedly been treated for moth, but the conventional style treatment with insecticide sprays on the carpet had not solved the problem.
So what could we do?
When moths are being seen or caught in traps, and there isn't a clear source of the infestation, it’s highly unlikely that simply reapplying insecticide will work, even though this can be common practice in some pest control companies.
We avoid this approach for the following reasons:
- how should it be applied if you even decide where to apply it?
- if you can’t identify where the problem actually is, should you be spraying at all?
The Property :
A large period house in London, which judging by the number of adult moths around, had a serious infestation… However, as Asa surveyed it, things didn’t quite add up. The client had just begun to move in so there was little furniture in the rooms, only three of the rooms (and there were many) had fitted carpets, as well as the stairs and landings. The whole place was very clean, and whilst there were a few signs of larval activity here and there in a couple of carpets, it definitely didn’t explain the numbers and locations of the adults we could see.
There was one particular landing and staircase that seemed to be alive with moths, but the carpet was spotless with no clear signs of infestation, and the surrounding rooms all had wood floors…
So what was going on?
With years of removing moth infested carpet and underlay under our belts, somewhere we always look - especially when there are no obvious signs of the source of infestation - is under the carpet… and this is what we found….
Notice the worst area is by the radiator pipe, which at some point has leaked and made the perfect food for moth larva - warm, wet wool!
If you are seeing signs of damage to carpets / clothes or evidence of moth debris around the carpet / floor edges, give us a call for advice on 08004334825

24/04/2023

A persistent problem - but where is it coming from?
We sometimes get called to treat properties where the client has had treatment in several rooms of the house but this has not solved the moth problem.
In one instance an exasperated homeowner came to us after another company had sprayed insecticide eight times … in eight weeks!
Beware this kind of approach as insecticides last for months, so repeating what has already been done (which didn’t work) a week or two later is highly questionable to say the least… let alone 8 eight times!
So where is the problem coming from?
In a number of home we come across, the loft can be the overlooked answer to a moth problem for 2 reasons:
The first one is that where wool insulation has been used, this natural fibre may be harbouring a hidden infestation.
What can be done?
If you have natural wool insulation, no need to panic… set moth monitoring traps and keep an eye on numbers - if you are catching several a day, it is time to seek professional help.
The second issue we come across in the loft is off cuts of old carpet or unused rugs that have been stored and forgotten.
What can be done?
It’s always a good idea to check eaves and lofts for off cuts of carpet or rugs. If you are storing vulnerable items like this up the loft, then wrap and seal them first.

04/04/2023

As Easter weekend approaches, the sun has finally come out…. and so have the moth. With the warmer weather, we have had an increase in calls about moth activity. Springtime is recognised as the start of the “moth season” as the warmer temperatures mean that the larvae pupate into flying moth.
So, if you love your wool carpets and your cashmere jumpers, read on!
🐣
The fact is that these flying moth do not cause damage but, once they breed, the moth larvae will feast on valuable textiles in our homes and work place. So now is a good time to prevent a problem from taking hold.
🐣
What exactly are you looking for?:
The flying moth we most commonly associate with textile damage is the Common Clothes Moth, or Tineola Bisselliella:
- small, shiny and a silvery-gold colour with no markings.
- they only fly when warm
- they hide in dark, warm or damp places
🐣
How can you tell if you have a problem?
The best way to monitor numbers if you have seen flying moth is to invest in Demi Diamond Moth Monitoring Traps and Pads.
🐣
So how do moth monitoring traps work?
Male moths are attracted by the synthetic female s*x pheromone to a sticky pad or surface. As they locate the source of the pheromone they become stuck to that surface and cannot escape.
🐣
Monitoring traps tell us a lot about an infestation, especially in a premises with lots of rooms. They can tell us where to focus our attention, and possibly lead to the infested area or items. They can give us an early warning of an infestation developing before it causes serious damage.
🐣
Using moth traps alone will not prevent infestation - beware of misleading claims on some traps. They are a monitoring tool to be used as part of a control process, or to gather data on where there are signs of infestation.
🐣
The team at Proton Moth Control are happy to give advice and although we operate in a wider area, we offer a FREE survey in most SW/TW/W/KT postcodes. All enquiries welcome! Don't wait for an infestation…
www.protonmothcontrol.com

15/02/2023

As reported in the The Guardian earlier this week, the successful deployment of long term moth breeding control measures, along with the hot, dry conditions of last summer have resulted in a 39% decline in the presence of Clothes or Webbing Moths, Tineola Bisselliella, in National Trust Properties, compared to 2021 (See link below).

Long term breeding control measures offer an ideal moth control solution by disrupting the moth breeding cycle. This is particularly beneficial in properties that have inaccessible or hidden cavities, valuable artifacts, wool and cashmere items, or the use of insecticide is not appropriate.

We work with a number of clients for whom this method of long term control delivers the results and peace of mind needed when managing this persistent pest.

For more information on moth control call or email today.
[email protected] t - 08004334825

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2023/feb/13/clothes-moths-in-retreat-at-national-trust-properties-survey-shows



Photo - National Trust Images - Chris Lacey/PA Wire Blickling Hall in Norfolk

19/01/2023

Feeling the cold but worried about rising energy bills?

According to this article in Ideal Home, a good underlay and carpet could save you approximately 15% off you energy bills.

Wool carpet is still recognised as a good long term investment - and with the right management and careful monitoring, moth need not be a problem ! 😀

For a quick fix, consider investing in some cosy rugs for the winter months...

If you can afford the upfront cost, choosing this flooring could help your home to feel cosier for decades to come