What to use instead of mothballs?

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.


What is a substitute for mothballs?

Cloves, Rosemary and Thyme

You've probably figured out by now that many spices in your kitchen pantry are effective mothball alternatives. These include cloves, rosemary and thyme. Mix these herbs together to create wonderful smelling sachet bags for your closet and storage items.

What to use for moths instead of mothballs?

Find some dried cloves, thyme, and rosemary (or you can just use one of the three) and mix them into a sachet bag. The combination can be powerful enough to put moths off for about 6 months. Of course, after the smell starts to dissipate, you can refill the bag with a fresh collection of herbs.


What is a natural moth repellent?

Peppermint oil has been known to effectively repel Pantry Moths. So, you may want to wipe down your shelves with this fragrant oil. Rosemary, clove, lavender, thyme, and Eucalyptus may also be helpful. Each of these natural repellents for pantry moths is safe to use around food items!

What can be used in place of naphthalene balls?

Red cedar shavings have long been hailed as an alternative to naphthalene balls. Traditional cedar closets do the work for you but, if you don't have that, don't fret. Source some red cedar shavings and place them in corners of your drawers and closets.


How can I avoid moths getting into my wardrobe?



How do you keep moths away without mothballs?

Try a natural remedy.

You can also create sachets with lavender, cinnamon shavings, and cloves as a big “keep out” sign to moths, without the danger of getting the oil on your wardrobe. You could also try adding cedar (in blocks, shavings, or hangers), which repels moths.

How do you get rid of clothes moths naturally?

Air, heat, or freeze items you don't dry-clean or wash. A combination of sunlight and vigorously brushing the infested items can kill moth eggs and larvae.

What smell will keep moths away?

Moths and other insects are repelled by the pheromones in cedar. Combine dried, crushed, and powdered herbs. Combine the following in a bag that you can hang anywhere you keep clothes or food: lavender, bay leaves, cloves, rosemary, and thyme. Moths also hate the odors of these herbs.


How do you get rid of moths permanently?

5 Ways to Get Rid of Moths
  1. Deep Clean the Area. Use soap and water to wipe down surfaces and thoroughly vacuum cracks and crevices.
  2. Use a Natural Moth Killer. This will safely remove any larvae and eggs that might still be present.
  3. Store Clothes Correctly. ...
  4. Use A Moth Repellent. ...
  5. Repeat Every Season.


What kills moth infestation?

Scrub down infested areas with vinegar.

Have you found signs of moth eggs and larvae and cocoons in your house? After vacuuming the affected areas, mix together a water and vinegar solution. Spray the solution wherever you found the eggs—carpets, shelves, baseboards…all of it—and then scrub it all down with a sponge.

What household product kills moths?

CEDAR. Cedar contains natural oils that can kill moth larvae. While it doesn't eliminate eggs and older moths, using cedar along with other pest control methods will yield positive results. Cedar is also a better alternative to using mothballs as it not only is natural, but leaves clothes smelling pleasant.


What material do moths hate?

Moths tend to dislike lavender and Cedar. Although lavender smells great to humans, it is highly repellent to insects like moths. Cedar is another great choice. Cedar masks the smell of natural fabrics and also gives clothing and linens a fresh, fragrant aroma.

Why are mothballs not used anymore?

The chemicals in mothballs are toxic to humans and pets. People are exposed to the chemicals in mothballs by inhaling the fumes. If you smell mothballs, you are being exposed to these chemicals. Children or pets sometimes mistake mothballs for food or candy and eat them, which can cause serious effects.

How do you make homemade mothballs?

Homemade Mothballs
  1. 1 tablespoon dried lavender buds and flowers.
  2. 1 tablespoon dried peppermint leaves.
  3. 1 tablespoon dried rosemary.
  4. 1 tablespoon dried clove buds.
  5. 1 cinnamon stick.
  6. 15-20 drops essential oils.
  7. Small breathable bag.


What smells similar to mothballs?

Naphthalene is either a white solid or a liquid with a strong odor like mothballs. It's used to make dyes, explosives, plastics, lubricants, and is found naturally in crude oil.

Is lavender a moth repellent?

“Lavender has been used for centuries for its bug-repelling properties,” she says. “It has terpene compounds that are said to help keep moths away,” she says.

What does vinegar do to moths?

Vinegar: Vinegar really can be used for anything. And when it comes to cleaning out your closet or storage box to repel moths, it does the job. The strong acidic smell of vinegar will repel moths away from the area as well as cleanse the area from dirt, dust, moth eggs and larvae.


What causes lots of moths in house?

How do moths get into the house? If you find a single moth in your home, it's likely that it has come through the window. But if you're inundated with them it's likely that the larvae has been brought into the home through somebody's shopping or clothes.

What causes moth infestation?

Most moth infestations come from the pantry moth or clothes moths. The most common way to contract a moth infestation is by carrying infected items into the home. Food and clothing items that have larvae or eggs hiding within them can introduce a moth problem when you least expect it.

Does apple cider vinegar keep moths away?

Pantry moths aren't fans of vinegar - regardless whether it's wine or apple cider vinegar. The scent of this liquid effectively deters the insects. For this reason, it's a good idea to add a few drops of vinegar to water when cleaning cupboards and shelves. You can also use vinegar to make a homemade pantry moths trap.


How do you get rid of moths in your room fast?

You can use vacuum cleaning, chemical treatment, and temperature against moths. These methods work best when combined together. You can kill moths with extreme cold or with heat using space heaters or a powerful steamer.

Do moths hate the smell of lemon?

Moths are highly sensitive and can't tolerate the aroma of lavender or lemon. ***Important note, lavender and lemon essential oil won't kill moths and moth larvae, it will only repel them. You'll want to make sure that you don't have any preexisting "friends" hiding in your clothes.

What time of year do clothes moths appear?

When do clothes moths emerge? Warmer winters, central heating and an increasing popularity of clothes made from natural fibres mean that clothes moths are now a year-long problem. There is, however, still a noticeable emergence in adult moths around April and May and a second wave in August and September.


Can I spray my clothes to get rid of moths?

If you have clothes moths but the articles can't be dry cleaned, laundered, heated, frozen, kept in cold storage, or fumigated with dry ice, you can spray them with an insecticide. Find a product that lists clothes moths on its label, and follow the directions exactly.

What's the best way to get rid of moths for clothes?

Cleaning with a disinfectant, white vinegar or a formulated clothes Moth Killer spray will kill moths, eggs and larvae. Vacuuming picks up any eggs and larvae, as well as frass, from damaged rugs and anywhere the moth larvae may be hiding. In short, vacuum and clean often.
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