Now that the sun is back and everyone's in capri pants and halter tops, the last thing you or anyone else wnats to think about is winter clothing. Jackets, scarves, sweater and heavy, woollen suits have been pushed to the back of the closet to make room for lighter wear - cottons, viscose and airy polyester blends. It's natural selection, for the wardrobe.

And that's OK for the first few weeks of spring, when weather patterns dictate a need for shorts and a T-shirt one day and a parka the next. But as summer months approache and it becomes increasingly clear that yor angora turtleneck isn't going to get a lot of wear, it's time to pack it all away.

However, before tucking away your favourite cashmere sweater, consider the six-legged, winged visitors you might receive during the summer.

There are some effective ways to prevent moth holes that are easier than you might think.

"The main thing moths go after is the sweet stuff, like perfume or food," says Busy Bee drycleaner Ian Blackford. "That's why you find moth holes in the fall."

Blackford is not a fan of the classic odorous mothball, with a scent he claims is next to impossible to remove. But there is a way to foil the common clothes moth. The trick , he says, is to put away your winter wear clean. Washed, at home or dry cleaned (depending on the care instructions), but definitely clean. If you do nothing else, you have just moth-proofed your clothes.

Turns out, while moths and their offspring (the growing, ravenous larvae that do most of the damage) are attracted to natural fibres like wool, cotton and silk, they're even more attracted to what's on the garment.

The dribble of gravy from Christmas dinner, the lingering scent of eau de toilette and the faint-but-present smell of perspiration will lead a moth to a virtual buffet - all you can eat - without being disturbed for a good three or four months.