Winning the war against closet moths

Clothes moths are persistent pests that move around our closets and wardrobes, causing significant damage. Unlike insects that can penetrate our homes, they are not interested in food. Instead, they intensely feed on natural materials such as wool, silk, cotton, and flax. We often find out about them only after discovering damage to clothing, carpets, or bedding. Then, it's worth acting as quickly as possible to protect against further losses. However, this is often not easy.

In addition to holes in the fabric, we can observe flying insects resembling moths. A sign of moths' presence is their larvae – tiny, white caterpillars with brown heads, which may be visible on clothing or in the corners of closets. You may also notice small cocoons or the presence of delicate, powdery dust on the clothes.

Fighting clothes moths can be challenging, as these stubborn insects often return to the feeding site. The fight starts anew if we do not eliminate them all in the first attempt and miss even tiny larvae. It's therefore essential not only to get rid of moths but to effectively deter them from our closets. Fortunately, there are effective methods that can help us eliminate unwanted guests and prevent their return. Natural ingredient-based repellents, such as dried lavender, cedar, sage, and cloves, will be essential here.

Specialized anti-moth preparations are available in many stores, but if we don’t want to spend money on them, we can also prepare effective solutions at home. We need aluminium foil and herbs such as dried lavender and mint. With these, you'll create a natural moth repellent.

Cut the aluminium foil into smaller, square pieces measuring about 10x10 centimetres (approximately 4x4 inches). Prepare at least ten of them. On each square, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of lavender and 1 teaspoon of dried mint. You can find these herbs in the store, but you can also grow them yourself, for example, on a balcony or windowsill. They can always be handy at home, not only for fighting pests.

Carefully fold the squares with herbs, ensuring nothing spills out and adequately securing their edges. Using a toothpick, make 10 small holes in them, releasing the herbaceous scent that repels moths. Placed in strategic locations in our closets or drawers, these squares will be adequate protection against moths.

Lavender used to make the homemade repellent has moth-repelling properties, keeping these intruders away from our closets. However, if we notice the presence of these pests, we must conduct thorough cleaning—reviewing clothes in closets and cleaning them thoroughly. It’s essential to eliminate all moths, even larvae, that are not visible at first glance.

It's also a good idea to thoroughly wash the inside of the closets with a mixture of water, vinegar, and a few drops of lavender oil. After the cleaning, place our wonderfully scented homemade mothballs in every corner of our home to prevent their reappearance. This method works!