Moths are unpleasant pests which can cause a lot of damage to our property and belongings, especially to our clothes. They usually target closets and wardrobes that seem abandoned and are used infrequently. Besides that, moths are attracted to the smell of human sweat, so they’re even more likely to invade your storage spaces if you keep the clothes you’ve already worn with the clean ones.

For this reason, it’s in your best interest to be proactive and try everything possible to keep these insects away from your house. If they ever come inside, moth control experts advise to exterminate them as soon as you can before they can cause extensive damage.

Proactive Moth Control Prevention Methods

Adult moths aren’t usually the specimens that pose a threat to your home, but their larvae typically eat through fabrics, specifically cotton and wool. Besides that, they also feed on dry goods, such as bread and pasta, which makes them likely to also invade your pantry. This means they pose the risk of damaging not only your cloths but also food items and other fabric household items, such as upholstered furniture pieces.

Prevention has always been the best course of action when it comes to moths. Unfortunately, many people don’t know what they can do to protect their closets and belongings. Below, you can find a list of methods you can employ to successfully reduce the chance of them infesting your property.

Clean your Spaces Thoroughly

The key to keeping a house free from moths is to perform regular and thorough cleaning. Pest control experts advise not to let your living space gather dust and debris. It has been proven that not only moths but almost all types of pests prefer to infest dirty and unmaintained properties because they perceive them as easy targets. In addition, it’s harder to notice tiny insects among the clutter.

For this reason, it’s advised to make a cleaning schedule and start performing regular maintenance chores throughout your property. If everything inside your home is clean and organised, moths won’t be as inclined to come and infest your closet.

Keep Your Closet Tidy and Organised

It’s common knowledge that closets are the main area moths are attracted to. However, they don’t target just any closet but specially pick the ones that are vulnerable and easily accessible with places to hide. Pest control specialists have come to the conclusion that moths prefer closets with many different items cluttered in them.

To protect your valuable belongings, ensure your closet doesn’t contain too many unnecessary items. Declutter and get rid of everything that you no longer need or use and only keep clothing items you actually wear. This will make your closet more organised, and it will be easier to spot moths if they enter it.

Use Moth Repellents

Nowadays, the advancement of technology has made our lives a lot easier, and this also applies to modern products designed to prevent moths from invading our houses.

To make controlling them easier and more effective, you can choose between and purchase a wide variety of pest repellents in almost every store. These products are specifically formulated to keep not only moths but also many other insects away from your living spaces.

This prevention method is very suitable if you don’t always have the time to perform regular cleaning and maintenance chores and keep all of your stored belongings organised.

Think About Smart Storage Solutions

To prevent moths from infesting in your closet and damaging your items, think about the ways you store your clothes and items you don’t use frequently. Most people store these things in plastic bags, which isn’t really ideal. The humidity inside them is too high and can cause mould to develop, which attracts moths.

Try to find a safer way to store your possessions. For example, use bags made from natural fibres.

Additional Moth Control Tips

If the methods described above have failed and the moths have already entered and infested your home, there are a few effective ways you can get rid of them.

Fill Your House with Cedar

Fill a bottle with cedar essential oil diluted in water or use it in a diffuser to spread the smell around your house. Moths and other types of insects are known to dislike its scent and be repelled by it.

Use a Mixture of Herbs

Combine a mixture of the following dried, crushed or powdered herbs in a bag and hang it anywhere in your home:

• Lavender;
• Bay leaves;
• Cloves;
• Rosemary;

Moths are known to dislike these herbs’ smells and be repelled by them. Alternatively, you can also dilute a mixture of essential oils made of them and spray them on your clothes and other belongings or put them in a diffuser.

Use Sticky Traps

Purchase sticky traps and cover them with moth pheromones to attract them and get them to stick to them. Once they’re stuck, they will be unable to escape and will eventually die.

Use Vinegar as a Repellent

Scrub and wash any fabric items and areas that you suspect are infested with moth larvae or eggs with a solution of distilled vinegar and water.

Freeze Your Belongings

If you suspect or know that some of your clothes or other belongings are infested with moth larvae, keep them in the freezer for around 24 hours to kill them off.

Final Words

Having moths in the closet is one of the most unpleasant experiences for every homeowner, and it poses a big risk to the safety of your possessions. Luckily, there are quite a few moth prevention methods and tips you can use to make sure they stay away.

If you’ve done your best to protect your home from moths, but they’ve still entered it and have become hard to get rid of, call a pest control service. A licensed exterminator will have the necessary knowledge and equipment to take care of even tough cases of infestation with efficiency, and their work typically comes with a warranty and follow-up inspections to make sure the insects are gone for good.