How to stop moths?
How can I get rid of moths in my bedroom closet? Right now they are small and white. I don't like the smell of moth balls in the house. I also have two dogs and one is very nosey, I'm afraid she will find the moth balls. Is there a household remedy I could use?
Thank you DIY-ERS.
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Hi Elizabeth, this may help.....lavendar.
https://www.thespruce.com/get-rid-of-moths-1388158#:~:text=Lavender&text=Fill%20sachets%20with%20dried%20lavender,to%20moths%20and%20other%20insects.
Here's a chemical free DIY satchel you can make :) https://www.gardenista.com/posts/no-more-mothballs-keep-clothes-safe-with-an-herbal-sachet/
I would go with lavender but here is a great article with a variety of scents that will help to drive them away.
https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/how-to-prevent-get-rid-of-fabr-109733#:~:text=Fill%20fabric%20pouches%2C%20tea%20bags,of%20a%20nice%20smelling%20closet!
Here is some more info for you
https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-clothes-moths/#:~:text=Thoroughly%20vacuum%20your%20closet.,rugs%20made%20of%20natural%20fibers.
You are right to NOT use mothballs. ONE can kill a dog and for some bizarre reason they are attracted to the smell.
Before you pack up your clothes to put in storage units, make sure they are laundered thoroughly and — almost more importantly — dried completely. Moths are attracted to smells such as soaps and perfume, so if your clothes still carry those scents, moths will be drawn to them. Washing your clothes before putting them away will also remove moth eggs already on your clothes from last year.
Cedar chips are a natural moth deterrent and a useful alternative for protecting your closet’s contents from insects. Cedar comes in a variety of options from hanging cedar blocks to cedar chip balls to small plastic containers filled with cedar chips. Replace cedar chips annually or more often if you notice they have lost their fresh smell. Cedar chips are easy to find at any major home supply retail store or online at Amazon and are a very economical way to get rid of clothes moths naturally.
Another natural alternative to mothballs is the herb lavender. Lavender repels insects naturally, and most moths tend to avoid its scent. Another advantage of using lavender is that it has a clean and pleasant smell. Used in aromatherapy, lavender is said to help relieve stress and anxiety. Simply add a few cloth satchels filled with dried lavender throughout your closet, and then enjoy the fragrant aroma. You can also use lavender’s oil extraction by dabbing a few drops on a cotton ball or a linen cloth. Hang the oil-infused items near your clothes, but not touching them, because the lavender oil can stain.
Cloves are a top three pick for the most fragrant and natural ways to get rid of clothes moths. Not only do cloves smell wonderfully delicious, slightly sweet, and spicy but they also offer great natural ways to get rid of clothes moths. Make your own natural, moth-repelling sachet with a sheer, stiff fabric, such as organza, or wrap whole cloves in tissue paper and hang them in your closet. Cloves are one more natural alternative to mothballs, minus the harsh chemicals and irritating smell.
As a preventive measure, you can seal up your clothes and seasonal bedding in airtight plastic containers. Containers and large zip-up garment bags create another layer of protection for your clothing and provide a barrier to seal insects out. Again, just remember to wash your outfits before you seal them up, and wipe out all your containers to remove any existing moth eggs. Store your chemical-free and naturally moth-safe containers in a self-storage unit to free up space in the closet.
A homemade DIY natural anti-moth spray is easy to put together. Mix ¼ cup of neem oil in a 2-quart spray bottle. Fill it with water, then add a few drops of liquid soap. Shake well, and spray your solution directly on the moths.
Another simple solution is to mix white vinegar with equal amounts of water to create a pesticide spray that is effective against moths. Just be careful spraying your repellent on certain types of fabric, such as silk, suede, and leather, as the vinegar and water solution will stain.
Just as moths love scents commonly found on humans, they are also irresistibly drawn to animals and their crates. To keep moths from setting up shop in your home, deep-clean all areas your pet frequents with soap and water weekly. Cages and pet bedding — mainly wood shavings and shredded newspaper — serve as breeding and nesting areas for moths, who lay their eggs near animal fibers, a favorite food of their larvae.
It’s easy to get rid of moths without using toxic mothballs. Their terrible lingering odor might just be worse than finding your favorite wool blazer riddled with holes. These are just seven nontoxic, pleasant-smelling, and natural ways to get rid of clothes moths without reaching for the mothballs.
Here are a bunch of measures to get rid of moths in your closet. First I would launder all clothes and then rehang them when you have the area cleared of them.
https://www.wikihow.com/Get-Rid-of-Moths#:~:text=%20Getting%20Rid%20of%20Moths%20in%20the%20Closet,get%20rid%20of%20eggs%20the%20moths...%20More%20
As an aside, mothballs are carcinogenic.
Health risks
The US Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) has determined that 1,4-dichlorobenzene "may reasonably be anticipated to be a carcinogen". This has been indicated by animal studies, although a full-scale human study has not been done. [7] The National Toxicology Program (NTP), the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) and the state of California consider 1,4-dichlorobenzene a carcinogen. [8]
Exposure to naphthalene mothballs can cause acute hemolysis (anemia) in people with glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase deficiency. [9] IARC classifies naphthalene as possibly carcinogenic to humans and other animals (see also Group 2B). [10] IARC points out that acute exposure causes cataracts in humans, rats, rabbits, and mice. Chronic exposure to naphthalene vapors is reported to also cause cataracts and retinal hemorrhage. [11] Under California's Proposition 65, naphthalene is listed as "known to the State to cause cancer". [12]
ref:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mothball#:~:text=Exposure%20to%20naphthalene%20mothballs%20can%20cause%20acute%20hemolysis,causes%20cataracts%20in%20humans%2C%20rats%2C%20rabbits%2C%20and%20mice.
Hi Elizabeth, hope this helps you out,
https://www.healthline.com/health/how-to-get-rid-of-moths#removal
You can buy little pheramone traps to hang in the closet, non-toxic.... https://www.walmart.com/ip/Moth-Busters-7-Clothes-Moth-Traps-Safe-Professional-Pheromone-Trap-Non-Toxic-NO-Insecticides/921591628
Hi Elizabeth. You can use cloves to eliminate the moths. Wrap whole cloves in tissue paper and hang them in your closet. Good -bye moths.
Moth balls work great but they do stink 😂
Hi Elizabeth, I hate the smell of moth balls too and normally use cedar oil diluted with a little water in a spray bottle and spray the inside of our closets. Moths don't like the smell apparently.
Usually the moths that get into your clothes aren't seen flying around. If you are seeing moths, chances are they aren't the same moths that put holes in your clothes. You might be dealing with something else that you don't realize. Flying moths are a huge pain in the A.
OK...this can get bad!!! We had this when we first bought our home and it was awful. You have to find the source. What you really need to do is go through the entire pantry in your kitchen and take EVERYTHING OUT!!!!!!! It sucks, but it is the only way to get rid of them. Once you do that you have to clean and wipe down all surfaces of the pantry because you never know where there are eggs and if anything spilled on your pantry shelves or drawers(especially with kids), they could be living in that too. So go through and remove everything and look in everything. It's not always just flour and rice...it could be from oatmeal, any grain whatsoever and they love NUTS. Any stuff they can get to that is in a box or bag. Then go out and spend some money on some airtight containers. ALSO...find freezer space for all grains. You will have to put the grains away in the freezer for a while and cereals and pasta should be put in those airtight containers. Also, check all your cabinets....not just your pantry. Take everything out of ALL of your cabinets because the moths will lay eggs that become a wormy thing that can be found anywhere inside cabinets. Once the source of food is gone though you will start to see it dissipate. But it will take a little while. This is such an annoyance!! I don't have this problem anymore because I just keep my grains and flours in the freezer always. Good luck...so sorry you are dealing with this!!
You can purchase cedar wood rings to hang over your hangers.
This article might also be useful: https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.irishtimes.com/life-and-style/homes-and-property/the-hole-truth-how-clothes-moths-make-themselves-at-home-in-summer-1.2729779%3fmode=amp
There is some good information here:
https://www.bobvila.com/articles/moths-in-the-closet/
What you are describing are pantry moths.
Formula 409 or Aunt Norma's spray works like magic. Follow K. Rupp's instructions. My house is small but it did take a few weeks to be totally rid of them. Mine came from dog kibble purchased on line. Never again.
Hello there,
I would put a moth killer smoke candle in the closet and close the door, or throw everything out and spray inside. Leave the door shut for 24 hrs. and buy new clothes. No real Wool!