Heidi Norton
While perfume may not kill moths, certain scents can be used to repel them. Moths have a strong sense of smell, which they use to locate food, mates, and shelter. Natural fragrances such as lavender, cedar, mint, cloves, thyme, and rosemary are known to deter moths. These scents can be used in essential oil diffusers or sachets placed in closets and drawers to keep moths at bay. However, it's important to note that these scents may not be effective in eliminating an active moth infestation, and a combination of control methods might be necessary.
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What You'll Learn
Perfumes with floral, herbal, or fragrant scents repel moths
It can be frustrating to find tiny moths flying around your closet and food areas. These pests can cause irreparable damage to your favourite garments. However, perfumes with floral, herbal, or fragrant scents can effectively repel moths.
Moths have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find shelter and food sources. You can use this trait to your advantage by employing fragrant herbal smells like lavender, cedar, mint essential oils, cloves, thyme, or rosemary to repel and prevent moths from nesting.
To make your own fragrant spray, mix half a tablespoon to one tablespoon of essential oil with distilled water in a bottle. Experiment with different floral and herbal smells that you like, as most will deter moths. Here are some combinations of essential oils that not only work against moths but also smell great:
- 1 part clove, cedarwood, or sandalwood, and 1 part sage, rosemary, peppermint, lemongrass, eucalyptus, or lavender.
- 1 part bergamot, grapefruit, peppermint, orange blossom, or geranium.
You can also fill small fabric pouches, tea bags, Wiffle balls, or small bowls with your preferred moth-repelling herbs. Ensure that the scents are pungent, and remember to refresh the sachets every 30 days. Place them in closets, drawers, pantries, storage bins, and the folds of blankets and stored rugs.
Angela Flanders' French Moth Herbs, which include lavender, mint, sweet woodruff, rosemary, tansy, southern wood, rue, and penny royal, have been a best-seller since 1991. The herbs can be used in a spray or presented in a cloth sachet.
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Cedar, lavender, mint, cloves, thyme, and rosemary repel moths
Moths have a strong sense of smell, which they use to find shelter and food sources. They are attracted to dark places and will infest items made of animal-derived materials, such as wool, silk, and leather. They will also eat pantry items such as crackers, rice, and cereal.
Cedar, lavender, mint, cloves, thyme, and rosemary are all scents that repel moths. These fragrant herbal smells can be used to prevent moths from nesting.
Cedar, in particular, is an excellent natural moth repellent. Its strong scent is effective at keeping moths away from clothing and linen. Cedar blocks, rings, and sachets can be placed in drawers, closets, and corners to deter moths. The scent can be refreshed by sanding the wood with sandpaper. Cedar essential oil can also be used, either on its own or combined with other herbal oils, in a spray to use around wool and other susceptible fabrics.
Lavender is another popular natural moth repellent. It can be used in the form of sachets filled with dried lavender flowers, or as an essential oil on cotton balls or fabric sachets. Lavender has a pleasant aroma and can add a refreshing scent to clothing.
Mint, cloves, thyme, and rosemary are also effective moth repellents. These herbs can be used in sachets, either on their own or in combination, to create a strong aroma that deters moths. They can be placed in drawers, closets, and storage containers to prevent moths from nesting.
These natural moth repellents offer a safe and eco-friendly alternative to chemical pesticides and store-bought products. They can protect clothing and food storage areas from moth damage, while also leaving a pleasant scent in the home.
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Dry cleaning, ironing, and hot washes kill moths
Dry cleaning is an effective way to kill moth larvae in wool sweaters and jackets without risking damage to the clothing. The dry cleaning process kills moth larvae and eggs, but it can be costly, and you may want to inform your dry cleaner of the issue beforehand.
Ironing can also kill moth larvae, but it can be a "hit or miss" affair. To be effective, you would need to comprehensively cover your garments with the iron, and it may not be suitable for delicate items that require lower temperatures.
Washing your clothes in hot water (over 120 °F) can also kill moth larvae and eggs. However, you should check clothing labels, especially for items made of wool, as they may not be suitable for hot washes.
If you are unable or unwilling to dry clean, iron, or hot wash your clothing, there are other methods to kill moths and their larvae. One option is to place affected items in the freezer for at least 72 hours to kill any active larvae. Another option is to heat-treat woollen items by placing them in the oven at a temperature of 130°F-150°F for three hours. However, this method can be damaging to certain items, especially furniture and wooden belongings.
In addition to these methods, it is important to regularly clean your wardrobe and drawers, vacuum carpets and rugs, and store clothing in sealed, airtight containers when not in use to prevent and control a moth infestation.
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Freezing infested clothes for 72+ hours kills moths
While perfumes can repel moths, freezing infested clothes is a sure-fire way to kill them.
Freezing infested clothes for 72+ hours is an effective way to kill moths. This method is particularly useful for items made from wool, feathers, fur, leather, and silk, which are vulnerable to moth damage but may not respond well to other treatments such as steaming or dry cleaning.
To freeze your clothes effectively, place them in an airtight plastic bag and ensure there is no condensation inside. Then, put the bag in your freezer for at least 72 hours. The temperature change from room temperature to freezing is what kills the moths, so the more abrupt this change, the better. It is recommended that the freezer is set to below 18 degrees Fahrenheit or -8 degrees Celsius.
After 72 hours, take the clothes out of the freezer and leave them at room temperature for 24-48 hours before putting them back in the freezer for a few days. This second freezing will ensure that any moth eggs or larvae remaining after the first freeze are killed off.
While freezing is an effective method for killing moths, it may not resolve a heavy infestation. Therefore, it is important to act quickly at the first sign of moths and combine freezing with other treatment and prevention methods.
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Mothballs kill moths but are toxic and have a strong odour
Mothballs are a common method to control clothes moths. They are small, milky-white clouds of fluff that contain either naphthalene or paradichlorobenzene as active ingredients. These chemicals slowly turn into gases and become fumes within their enclosed environment, killing the moths and creating a strong mothball smell. The labelled use of mothballs is to kill clothes moths, their larvae, and their eggs.
However, mothballs are toxic and should be used with care. They are considered a pesticide and can be harmful to humans and animals when misused. Naphthalene, for example, has been associated with adverse health effects such as headaches, nausea, dizziness, and difficulty breathing. Paradichlorobenzene is also hazardous, although to a lesser extent than naphthalene. It is a toxic chlorinated aromatic hydrocarbon used as a fumigant insecticide and repellent.
Due to the toxicity and strong odour of mothballs, it is recommended to use alternative methods to control moths. Natural products with fragrances like cedar and lavender can be used to deter moths. Cedar, in particular, has natural moth-repelling properties that protect fabrics like wool and leather. Lavender sachets can also be placed in closets, drawers, and boxes of off-season clothes to repel moths. Additionally, dry cleaning, ironing, or washing clothes in hot water can help kill moth larvae.
If you have an existing moth infestation, other methods such as clothing moth traps can be used. Dr. Killigan's moth traps, for example, use a combination of pheromones and sticky glue to lure and capture moths, preventing them from laying eggs. These traps are effective and do not have strong odours, making them a preferable alternative to mothballs.
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Frequently asked questions
No, perfume cannot kill moths. However, it can attract them.
Moth balls, which contain paradichlorobenzene, release a gas that can kill moths, carpet beetles, and their eggs and larvae.
Natural moth repellents include lavender, cedar, mint essential oils, cloves, thyme, rosemary, and tea tree oil.
Moths are attracted to fabric fibres, oils, and stains. Washing your clothes in hot water with mild detergent can help remove these attractants. Keeping your home clean and dry can also help prevent moths, as they are attracted to moist environments.
Dr. Killigan's Premium Pantry Moth Traps are effective in eliminating moths in the kitchen or pantry. Professor Killamoth Cedar Chips and Lavender Sachets can also be used to repel moths.
