Clothes moths in retreat at National Trust properties, survey shows

Tiny parasitic wasps and pheromones were used by the trust at Blickling Hall, Norfolk to tackle the clothes moth threat to treasures. Photograph: National Trust Images/Nadia Mackenzie/PA

An alarming increase in the population of clothes moths in National Trust (NT) properties appears to be in retreat, with a dramatic plunge in numbers of the pests in 2022.

The trust, which monitors the presence of insect pests each year, said it was surprised by the findings of its 2022 survey. Overall insect counts fell by 3% compared with 2021, but the presence of Tineola bisselliella slumped by 39%.