What can be used instead of mothballs?

Here’s how to get rid of moths naturally without using mothballs.

  • Always Wash First. Image via Bigstock. …
  • Cedar Chips. Cedar chips are a natural moth deterrent and a useful alternative for protecting your closet’s contents from insects. …
  • Lavender. …
  • Cloves. …
  • Airtight Containers. …
  • DIY Moth Repellant Spray. …
  • Clean Up After Pets.

How do you make natural moth balls?

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 keeps 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 I get rid of moths in my closet naturally?

Fill sachets with dried lavender, or dip cotton balls in lavender essential oil. Then, place them in your closets, drawers, and boxes of off-season clothes. Lavender smells great to us, but it’s highly repellent to moths and other insects.

Are mothballs necessary?

As regulated pesticides, mothballs must be used only as directed on the label. The labeled use of mothballs is to kill moths and other fiber insects to protect clothing. To do so properly, place mothballs inside tightly closed containers along with the clothing or materials.

Can you make your own moth balls?

Thankfully, you can make your own mothballs at home. They are just as effective as the commercial ones but the good news is they are made with natural and pleasant smelling ingredients. No more pungent smell lingering in your wardrobe!


Do candles deter moths?

Female moths don’t like strong smells.

Use scented sachets, essential oils, bunches of lavender and herbs, bowls of potpourri in the wardrobe. Burn scented candles.

Where do you get mothballs?

Your local hardware store, garden center or supermarket should have a variety of quantities from which you can choose. Large retail chain superstores also carry mothballs. Lowe’s sells mothballs in the hardware section and Home Depot features mothballs in their seasonal wares section.

What is the best moth trap?

6 Best Moth Traps

  • Dr. Killigan’s Premium Pantry Moth Traps.
  • Catchmaster Moth Traps.
  • Katchy Indoor Fly Trap.
  • Redeo Insect Trap.
  • MothPrevention Moth Traps for Clothes Moths.
  • Mottenfalle Clothes Moth Traps.

How does vinegar get rid of moths?

Create a solution of equal parts vinegar and water. 3. Spray the solution over all affected areas and wipe the solution inside cabinets and drawers, drawer slides and liners, and undersides of shelves, making sure you go over the corners, edges and nooks well.

Does apple cider vinegar get rid of moths?

Vinegar – an effective pantry moth deterrent

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.

How do I get rid of moth eggs?

How to Get Rid of Pantry Moth Larvae

  1. Clear out all the affected cupboards/pantry shelves.
  2. Vacuum all surfaces paying particular attention to edges, cracks and crevices.
  3. Wash down all surfaces thoroughly.
  4. Apply a Moth-Killing Natural Residual spray that is safe to use in kitchen areas.

Do moths hate vinegar?

Why white vinegar? Moth eggs/larvae aren’t particularly hardy, and white vinegar is a strong but natural cleaner. While it cleans, it changes the pH of anything on the surface being scrubbed and kills any moth eggs and larvae.

Can you sleep in a room with mothballs?

‘ and the answer to this question is yes, potentially. According to the National Pesticide Information Center (NPIC), the chemicals use in mothballs can be toxic to humans and pets and as people are exposed to these chemicals that are released as toxic fumes in the air space of the home.

Why you shouldn’t use mothballs?

The fumes from mothballs kill clothes moths, their eggs and larvae that eat natural fibers in indoor storage areas, such as closets, attics and basements. Mothballs are not intended to be used outdoors. The active ingredients can contaminate water and soil, harm wildlife, and contribute to air pollution.

Why are moth balls not used anymore?

Mothballs in the U.S. contain high concentrations of either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene. Both active ingredients are solid chemicals that slowly become fumes at room temperature. … Mothballs slowly disappear as they turn into gas and mix with the surrounding air.

What is a natural mothball?

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.

How naphthalene balls are made?

Process Of Manufacturing :

When naphthalene melts, other ingredients like paraffin wax, camphor etc. are added and mixed thoroughly. The liquefied mass is fed into the china ball press or aluminum mould. After cooling the naphthalene balls are taken out and packed.

Are moth balls organic?

In the past, mothballs were made from plant-based camphor and, later, naphthalene, a derivative of coal tar. Because naphthalene is highly flammable, mothballs are also fashioned from the synthetic chemical paradichlorobenzene, which has an unpleasant smell but is cheaper to make.

Do lavender bags keep moths away?

Make your own natural repellant – Place dried rosemary, thyme, cloves, lavender or bay leaves into a small cloth bag and hang them in your wardrobe and place them in your drawers. The oil form of these herbs, sprayed on contaminated areas and clothes, can also repel moths.

Is lavender a good moth repellent?

Add a few drops to a tissue or a ball of cotton wool and leave in the bottom of the wardrobe, in clothes drawers, cupboards and dressing rooms to ward off unwanted moths. Repeat when required.

Are there unscented mothballs?

Roy Bry has built a better mothball-an odorless, colorless compound that protects woolen sweaters, suits and trousers from hungry moths almost indefinitely.

Are moth balls illegal?

They are regulated in the United States by the Environmental Protection Agency. The label of any pesticide, including mothballs, specifies exactly where and how you can legally use the product. Using mothballs in a way not specified by the label is not only illegal, but can harm people, pets or the environment.

Can you buy mothballs at Walmart?

Enoz Old Fashioned Moth Balls, Naphthalene Balls, 24 oz, 3 Single Use 8 oz Packets – Walmart.com.

Do mothballs keep snakes away?

Mothballs are commonly thought to repel snakes, but they are not intended to be used this way and have little effect on snakes.

How do you make a simple moth trap?

To create a simple moth trap in a matter of minutes, all you need is a white sheet and a bright lamp or torch. Peg the sheet up onto your washing line, turn off nearby lights, switch on your torch and wait patiently.

Where is the best place to put moth traps?

Where To Position Moth Traps:

  • Where possible place traps at between 3-6 ft high. …
  • Position traps in ‘quiet’ areas. …
  • Keep traps away from direct light or draughts. …
  • Avoid cancelling out the effectiveness of ‘ATTRACTING’ Moth Traps by keeping them away from any moth ‘REPELLENTS’ that you may have.

Where do you put moth pheromone traps?

The pheromone trap should be placed centrally in the room and on, or near, the floor. If possible, place them out of draughts and where they will not be trodden on.

How do you make a moth spray?

Moth repellent spray

  1. Water 4 ounces.
  2. Essential oil of cedar – 20 to 30 drops.
  3. Essential oil of lavender – 10 to 20 drops.
  4. Essential oil of peppermint – 5 to 10 drops.
  5. Essential oil of eucalyptus – 10 to 20 drops.
  6. Optional: Citronella essential oil – 5 drops.

What liquid kills moths?

Best Spray: Reefer-Galler SLA Cedar Scented Spray

This aerosol can contains pyrethrins and other pesticides that kill not only moths and their larvae but also ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, spiders, and other pests on contact.

How do you keep moth eggs outside?

How to Get Rid of Outdoor Gypsy Moths – YouTube

How do I get rid of moths in my kitchen with vinegar?

Proceed to wash the affected area with a 50-50 solution of vinegar and warm water. If you have any or can get some, add peppermint oil into the mixture (pantry moths hate peppermint). Finish by mopping the floor with the same 50-50 mixture.

How do you identify moth eggs?

Moth eggs are incredibly small and difficult to spot. They’ll usually be found on soft, undisturbed fabrics that contain keratin, such as old, unworn clothing, or inaccessible areas of carpet. This is because the larvae can hatch safely and immediately feed on the keratin-based material.

Where do moths lay eggs?

Pantry moths lay their eggs on stored food and grains. Finding an adult moth may be a sign that there are infested items somewhere in the home. Adult females can lay hundreds of eggs directly on or near potential food sources, and the damage is done by the larvae (tiny caterpillars).

What time of year do moths lay their eggs?

Although clothes moths are now an all-year-round problem with most homes having central heating that keeps them active even in winter, spring is the season in which most most clothes moths start to emerge and start looking for somewhere to mate and lay eggs.

Can moth eggs lay dormant?

The mating period for moths is usually from March to October. Female moths lay about 300 eggs in 3 months, which, after hatching, produce the next generation which lay eggs of their own. This makes around 100,000 eggs. These eggs can also lay dormant and hatch out under suitable conditions.

Why have I got moths in my bedroom?

Fabrics made out of animal fibers such as wool and silk are particularly susceptible. And garments worn previously and stored without washing are extremely attractive to clothes moth larvae because of the residual sweat they contain. Consequently, if clothes moths keep on appearing in your house, you must take action.

How do I get rid of moths in my bedroom?

How to Get Rid of a Moth Infestation

  1. Deep clean your wardrobe. …
  2. Lower the heat. …
  3. Clean your clothes. …
  4. Double-check vintage furniture and clothes. …
  5. Vacuum and deep clean. …
  6. Throw out old items. …
  7. Use cedar hangers or cedar balls. …
  8. Place lavender bags.

Do moth eggs look like sand?

Moth eggs are kind of like dry sand, and are easy to vacuum away.

Where do moths nest in a house?

Pantry goods attract moth species that lay their eggs in stored grains and processed products. These pests often come into homes inside infested food packages. Once inside, their eggs hatch into larvae that eat grains, dried nuts, cereals, and a variety of processed products.