FANSIR Cedar Wood Moth Repellent, 100% Natural Anti Moth Repellent Cedar Blocks Clothes Protection, Storage Accessories Cedar Rings Wardrobes Drawers Freshener Chemical-Free Rings for Hanger [30 Pack]

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However, over time, the cedar is going to lose its natural oils. An antique cedar chest is going to be far less effective at repelling moths than a new chest. Larvae and pupae won’t be affected by the oil if they are already inside the chest. Pantry moths, which love to feed on stored foods, are usually one or more of the following: Indian Meal Moths, Mediterranean Pantry Moths, White Shouldered House Moths, or Brown House Moths. If you're dealing with a pantry moth infestation, we recommend using Dr. Killigan's Premium Pantry Moth Traps. Around the 1920s, scientists started paying attention to the effect of cedar on fiber-eating insects, like moths and carpet beetles. The species of tree that produces cedar wood and oil is known as Cedrus atlantica. In the oils of Cedrus atlantica are chemicals—sesquiterpene hydrocarbons—that give off a resinous, camphor-like scent. With up to 70 percent of the oils in cedar wood containing these potent compounds, it is believed that is the reason most cedar species are insect-repellent.

Wash clothes that contain larvae or eggs. Use hot water and high heat in the dryer, if possible. For clothes that can’t be washed or dried hot, put wet clothes in the freezer for a day to kill larvae and eggs. Now the part you’ve been waiting for: How in the world do you get rid of moths if they’ve already infested your home? Here are some top tips for effective moth removal: What are some alternatives to cedar that will work equally as well? While mothballs were once a popular remedy to moth infestations, they are far less so these days. The reason is that mothballs contain a synthetic chemical that is highly dangerous for humans and animals when inhaled. The pure paradichlorobenzene or naphthalene used in mothballs causes a broad range of health complications and imbues clothing with a horrible chemical scent. So stay away from those.Brush any clothes made of wool or fur after you wear them outside. Moth eggs can easily infiltrate your closet by affixing themselves to these materials, so scraping them off regularly can help keep any moth larvae from getting inside. Herbs – Several fragrant herbs repel moths, including rosemary, thyme, cloves, lavender and bay leaves. Place the herbs in a small bag in cupboards or spray the essential oil into high-risk areas. Like this article? Sign up to our newsletter to get more articles like this delivered straight to your inbox. If you find one moth or moth-riddled hole, don’t delay moving on to step two. “A single female moth will lay an average of 50 eggs, and then those babies will be having babies within months, and each of those babies will have more babies, and you see where this is going,” Brumfield says.

Keep your floors, carpets, and moldings vacuumed and dusted. Try to clean your home with a vacuum, dusting cloths, and eco-friendly cleaners to keep your home free of dust and dirt, which can draw moths into your home. Be sure to empty vacuum contents and wash dusting cloths regularly so that eggs and larvae don’t grow and develop. If you’ve had your clothes dry-cleaned, remove the plastic covering as soon as you get them home to avoid yellowing the fabrics. For seasonal storage, Ballard suggests wrapping the clean clothes in acid-free paper or turning your clothes inside out (so if it yellows, only the inside looks weird) and placing them in a tightly sealed plastic tote or vacuum-sealable bag.

Cedar, the Safer Option?

Combine dried, crushed, and powdered herbs. Combine the following in a bag that you can hang anywhere you keep clothes or food: lavender, bay leaves, cloves, rosemary, and thyme. Moths also hate the odors of these herbs. You can also dilute the essential oils of these herbs and spray them on your clothes and belongings or use a diffuser with one or more combinations of these oils.

You might have heard that cedar will kill moths, but it’s not true - cedar is a repellant, not a killer. The good news is that, yes, cedar can work against a clothes moth infestation. Yet, there is a time limit to the effectiveness of cedar that you have to keep in mind. When cedar is used to make a chest, the wood contains some natural oils that will naturally repel moths. Keep your clothes and belongings washed before you store them away for long periods of time. Air-dry them in sunlight, if possible. This ensures that any eggs or larvae in your clothes are rinsed out or killed so that they don’t grow into maturity while they’re in storage.Fill your home with cedar. You can also use cedar oil in a spray bottle diluted with water or in a diffuser that can spread the scent of cedar. Moths and other insects are repelled by the pheromones in cedar. A safer option to cedar would be neem oil, otherwise known as Indian lilac. Neem oil, which is used in many kinds of moth oil sprays (found in the UK), can repel a number of insects found in the house, including clothes moths. Other natural moth repellents include mint, rosemary, cloves, lavender, thyme, and eucalyptus. Mothballs work, but only because they’re a highly toxic chemical with noxious vapors that can harm all living creatures, including you, your children, and your pets. The only safe way to use them is to place them in an airtight container with your clothes, which will come out smelling like mothballs when winter rolls around again. “Just avoid them because there are all these nontoxic ways you can prevent infestation,” Tartaglia says. “Put your clothes away clean, either by freezing them, heating them in the dryer, or getting them dry cleaned. That’s really all it takes.” Cedar may not be the definitive moth-killing solution you imagined , but it is effective at protecting your clothing from hungry moths. You can use cedar in combination with neem oil and other natural repellents to keep your home moth-free. However you choose to use cedar, though, it will always be safer and healthier than mothballs. Keep your clothes and belongings stored in airtight containers. Use tightly sealed chests, plastic containers, sealed suitcases, or something similar to make sure moths can’t get inside and lay eggs. Don’t leave any materials like wool or suits exposed to the air — put them in zipped, airtight garment bags inside your sealed containers, especially when you don’t plan to wear them for a while.