What smell do moths hate the most?

Author: Jamir Schaden Sr.  |  Last update: Friday, November 14, 2025

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.

What smell will keep moths away?

Moths dislike the scent of cedarwood. You can use cedar blocks, cedar chips, or cedar oil to deter them. Place these in your closets, drawers, or other moth-prone areas. Like cedarwood, moths are also repelled by the scent of lavender. You can use dried lavender sachets or lavender essential oil to keep them away.

What is the most effective moth deterrent?

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.

What can I put outside to keep moths away?

Moths dislike the scent of cedarwood. You can use cedar blocks, cedar chips, or cedar oil to deter them. Place these in your closets, drawers, or other moth-prone areas. Like cedarwood, moths are also repelled by the scent of lavender. You can use dried lavender sachets or lavender essential oil to keep them away.

Why do I have lots of moths outside my house?

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.

Scents That Bugs Hate

What is a natural repellent for moths?

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!

What do moths hate the most?

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.

What attracts moths the most?

Moths are attracted to light, which is why you often see them flying around lamps and other sources of illumination. If you have any areas in your home where there is a lot of light shining through, moths will be drawn to them.

How do I get rid of moths once and for all?

More videos on YouTube
  1. DEEP CLEAN THE AREA - Use soap and water to wipe down surfaces and thoroughly vacuum cracks and crevices.
  2. USE A NATURAL MOTH KILLER - This will safely remove any larvae and eggs that might still be present. ...
  3. STORE CLOTHES CORRECTLY - Ensure you store your clothes in mothproof clothes storage bags.

Do dryer sheets repel moths?

Dryer sheets typically contain chemicals such as linalool, beta-citronellol, and geraniol, which are known to have some insect-repellent properties.

What do you spray to get rid of moths?

Reefer-Galler SLA Cedar Spray

Aside from moths, it also eliminates other insects, including ants, cockroaches, bedbugs, and spiders. We put this spray to the test on a rug that had moths living on it. As soon as we applied the product, we could see that the moths had died.

What color do moths hate the most?

Moths won't respond to a yellow light if they are at a distance as it appears very faint. Therefore, most people buy yellow light bulbs as there will be fewer moths in their homes.

What is the best homemade moth killer?

Moth repellent spray
  • Water 4 ounces.
  • Essential oil of cedar – 20 to 30 drops.
  • Essential oil of lavender - 10 to 20 drops.
  • Essential oil of peppermint - 5 to 10 drops.
  • Essential oil of eucalyptus - 10 to 20 drops.
  • Optional: Citronella essential oil - 5 drops.

Do moths hate the smell of vinegar?

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.

Can you smell a moth infestation?

Musty smell – If your wardrobe or drawers have a musty smell you might have moths.

What does it mean when you have a lot of moths around your house?

Most moth infestations come from the pantry moth or clothes moths. 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.

What month are moths most active?

There is, however, still a noticeable emergence in adult moths around April and May and a second wave in August and September. If you haven't noticed them in your house just yet you will certainly notice an increase in articles about them in the national media at this time of year.

What is the main predator of moths?

Carolina chickadees, for example, require 6,000 to 9,000 caterpillars to rear a single clutch of four to six offspring. Bats are perhaps the most well-known predators of adult moths, though some moths have evolved tricks to evade the predators.

What fragrance do moths hate?

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.

What is used to repel moths?

Naphthalene or mothball is a white solid with a pungent odour derived from the distillation of coal tar. It sublimes into a pungent toxic smell which drives away insects and moths.

What smell do house moths hate?

Another popular choice is lavender. It has a great aroma and can deter moths from the wardrobe. 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.

How do I get rid of moths quickly?

Whether they've made their way into your pantry or closet, here are eight effective ways that can help you get rid of them for good.
  1. Use Cedar Around the Home. ...
  2. Use Vinegar. ...
  3. Mix the Dried, Powdered, and Crushed Herbs. ...
  4. Use a Sticky Trap. ...
  5. Freeze Any Items That Show Signs of Moths. ...
  6. Wash Clothes That Contain Larvae or Eggs.

What scents attract moths?

For an adult male moth, two categories of odors are innately attractive: pheromone released by conspecific females, and the floral scents of certain, often co-evolved, plants. These odors consist of multiple volatiles in characteristic mixtures.

How do you make your own moth deterrent?

How to make moth balls with essential oils
  1. 15-20 cedarwood balls.
  2. 4 drops of Cedarwood Essential Oil.
  3. 4 drops of Lavender Essential Oil.
  4. 4 drops of Cinnamon Bark Essential Oil.
  5. 3 drops of Clove Bud Essential Oil.
  6. 1 tablespoon of Neem Oil.

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