When combined with vinegar, baking soda can kill Carpet Moth Larvae and eggs. However, baking soda on its own, is not the most effective method to eliminate Carpet Moths from your home.
The acidic nature of white vinegar cripples the survival of carpet moth eggs and larvae, doing half of the extermination work. Baking soda steps up to aid in this quest with its antibacterial properties, further enhancing the potency of this moth-eradication concoction.
You can make sachets with lavender and other dried plants like bay leaves, peppermint, lemon balm and/or rosemary. You can even add some cedar shavings, too. Place a couple of spoons of these ingredients in an old sock or a dry tea bag.
Lavender — Lavender is a widely-loved moth repellent for good reason. Its floral scent is delightful to humans but repulsive to moths. Our 'Protect Me' Scent Bags can be placed in closets and drawers to protect your garments. Plus, they impart a lovely fragrance to all surrounding clothes.
Without a doubt, Cedar is the best natural moth repellent, followed by lavender. Just keep in mind, you have to first get rid of an infestation before you can prevent future moths. Otherwise, you'll just be hanging up Cedar and lavender sachets as decorations for the larvae to enjoy.
Dryer sheets typically contain chemicals such as linalool, beta-citronellol, and geraniol, which are known to have some insect-repellent properties.
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.
“Not only do birds and bats consume moths at every stage of the insects' life cycle, so do lizards, small rodents, skunks and even bears,” Mizejewski says. Other insects, including hornets and ants, prey on moth caterpillars, and both spiders and beetles feed on moth pupae tucked away in their cocoons.
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. Unsealed containers in our pantries are perfect targets for pantry months.
It's hard to pinpoint how these things get indoors in the first place, but they do not go away on their own, says Suiter. If you don't want moth hanky-panky in your pantry (translation: lots of babies!), it's time to do some sleuthing. Here's how to get rid of these common pests.
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.
A mixture if Dawn dish soap and water in a spray bottle. That mixture will penetrate the egg clusters and kill them.
Remove your belongings and deep clean any infested areas.
Remove all infested items and either treat them or throw them away. Bags or clothes and food can be frozen for 72 hours to kill any moth larvae or eggs that are hidden.
Set up moth traps
So, while cleaning and discarding infested items are crucial, setting up moth traps is a key step in ensuring that your home remains moth-free. Place them where moths are most active—such as closets or pantry shelves—and effectively reduce the population of these miscreants.
The best natural moth-repellent essential oil is cedar. Cedar oil is strong and effective and the moths don't like it! Other good essential oils to repel moths include lavender, rosemary, lemon, bergamot, sage, and mint.
Using Citronella Oils for Moth Prevention
Use this handy trick to keep moths and other pests away from your outdoor areas. In the morning spray or paint some citronella oils on your light bulbs. As night falls they should be dry.
The cedar works similarly to the cedar blocks included with our overall best recommendation, and lavender is another effective all-natural moth repellent. You'll notice that both the cedar and lavender sachets lose their scent over time, which makes them less effective.
-Natural oils such as cedar oils and cedar chests are said to repel clothing moths, but the University of California at Davis Integrated Pest management center says there is little research to support this fact. You can try various natural oils, especially cedar, to repel moths.
The most common and effective method for killing all stages of clothes moths in clothing, blankets, and other washable articles is to thoroughly launder them for 20 to 30 minutes in water that is at least 120°F.
The Pest Expert Formula 'P' Fogger is an aerosol (ULV) device which releases a moth-killing pyrethrin gas that expands to fill a room, delivering a rapid knockdown of both clothes and carpet moths. As it does not need to be lit, it offers no fire risk and so is perfectly safe for use in enclosed spaces like wardrobes.
Common knowledge holds that light attracts moths, and this is true in many cases. Moths often gather around outdoor lighting or windows at nighttime, where they may move inside through small cracks or when doors and windows are opened.
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.