If you are looking for another way to get rid of Miller Moths, a great way to repel them away from your home is by burning essential oils. Certain essential oils, such as lavender, clove, eucalyptus, cedarwood, and peppermint, are all effective in keeping these pesky moths from taking up residence in your home.
It is believed that cedarwood, lavender, peppermint, and eucalyptus oils repel moths and they do wonders for the smell of multi-day well worn camp gear too. Marnie Rehn is the Caretaker of the Bachechi Open Space, as well as a Master Naturalist and mindfulness teacher.
Miller Moth Control Around Homes
Also reduce lighting at night in and around the home during flights. This includes turning off all unnecessary lights or substituting non-attractive yellow lights. Landscaping may affect the number of millers you'll see because it may provide food (nectar) and/or shelter.
Moths really don't like the strong smell of cedar, so all you have to do is use some sandpaper on the block every few months to “revive” the scent. Depending on the wardrobe's size, you may need more than one cedar block to achieve the desired saturation. Another popular choice is lavender.
Turn off outdoor lights: Since miller moths are attracted to light, it's a good idea to turn off outdoor lights or switch to yellow bug lights. Use screens: Install screens on windows and doors to keep miller moths out. Lavender: Moths are repelled by the scent of lavender.
Natural scents like lavender are also sometimes effective at keeping away flying adult moths but, as with all natural moth repellents, they don't have any effect on moth larvae. After cedar, the next best option is lavender, followed by bay leaves, cloves, rosemary, and thyme.
Making herbal sachets with thyme and lavender is an effective way to repel moths naturally. Moths dislike the strong scents of these herbs and tend to stay away from clothes and linens that come in contact with them. Simply fill a small cloth bag with dried thyme and lavender and place it in your closet or drawers.
Dryer sheets typically contain chemicals such as linalool, beta-citronellol, and geraniol, which are known to have some insect-repellent properties.
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.
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.
Miller moths are congregating around homes in Billings, MT and surrounding areas. Sometimes the moth populations can be in the hundreds to thousands. They are normally around for two to three weeks. Outbreaks are sporadic.
Cinnamon
Yes, adding cinnamon powder to your plants has a multitude of benefits, and it's a scent that clothes moths hate, too. They find the scent way too strong for them, which means that they'll steer clear of your wardrobe entirely.
Insecticides do very little to keep them away, and if you don't want Miller moths in the house, check for any entry points and seal up holes and keep doors and windows shut. The moths are also attracted to the light, so turn off the porch lights if they congregate there.
Eucalyptus — Eucalyptus leaves and essential oil are excellent for keeping moths at bay. Their sharp, menthol-like scent is unappealing to moths. In addition, compounds such as cineole (aka eucalyptol) offer antibacterial effect, helping to keep your clothing environment cleaner and less attractive to moths!
As we mentioned above, moths are attracted to the scent of perfume and cosmetic products. They also love natural smells such as sweat and bodily oils.
Scrub areas you suspect to be infested - using an effective moth killer spray, scrub and clean including crevices and corners. Remove infested items - Items that can't be cleaned should be discarded. Dust and vacuum - floors, crevices and anywhere you suspect moth activity.
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.
-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.
Many brands of fabric softener in the modern world contain the compound linalool, which has an odor that mosquitoes and a lot of flying insects despise. If people want to avoid using fresh fabric softener sheets for this purpose, the used ones should still work relatively well.
Another effective moth repellent is mint leaves. A handful of dried peppermint can be stuffed in a sachet, or loose leaves can be placed between your clothing. You can also use peppermint oil. A few drops on a cotton ball are all you need, and you can stash them in the corner of your closet.
Cedar may not be the definitive moth-killing solution you imagined , but it is effective at protecting your clothing from hungry moths.
Musty smell – If your wardrobe or drawers have a musty smell you might have moths.