How to Get Rid of Moths

A moth is a type of insect that closely resembles the butterfly and belongs to the same order, i.e., lepidoptera. There are mainly two types of moths that are commonly encountered by the people living in wooded areas. They are the pantry moth, also known as Indian meal moth, and the clothes moth. Small moths are more difficult to get rid of than large ones. They are usually found in the kitchen, bathroom and any other humid area.

How to Get Rid of Moths?

Moths and their larvae can simply wreak havoc on your garden, kitchen, and clothes. They usually need a humid and damp environment to thrive. The most essential part in keeping moths away is to keep every part, especially the damp and high moisture areas of your house, clean and tidy. Here are some easy ways for getting rid of moths.

Cleaning and Vacuuming
Proper cleaning is the key to prevent moth infestation in your home. You have to clean every cabinet, cupboard, or closet thoroughly, as soon as you discover the presence of these resilient insects. First, take out all the contents of the cabinets or closets and start vacuuming every part. As moths need a damp and humid environment to grow, vacuuming can help to control their population. You can also wipe your cupboards with vinegar. Just take a sponge and rub some vinegar on every nook and corner of kitchen cabinets and closets. Soapy water or detergent solution can also be used instead of vinegar. But remember to scrub the suspected areas well, to take off the larvae that sticks tight to any surface.

Ironing Clothes
If you suspect the presence of moths and their larvae on clothes in cupboards and closets, then take them out wash properly. Dry them in adequate sunlight and then iron them. Fabrics like silk and wool can be dry cleaned instead of hand washing. Ironing can help you to eliminate these pests and their larvae. You can also put the clothes in the refrigerator for a few days in order to get rid of moths and their larvae.

Sodium Light
Moth's love for light is a well known fact, and quite often you might have observed them circling around artificial sources of light. Light plays an important role in bringing these moths to the vicinity of your home. A sodium light can, however, help you as they attract only a small number of moths. Both low and high pressure sodium lights can be used for this purpose.

Moth Poison and Balls
Sometimes, the battle against moths becomes so difficult that one has to take the help of chemicals like moth balls and poison. Though quite effective in controlling the population of moths, these chemicals have raised several health related issues. Use of these chemicals can certainly have some adverse effects on your health, especially if sufficient precautions are not taken.

Moth Traps
Moth traps, especially the pheromone traps have shown tremendous success in catching adult moths. They can work like an alarm to warn you against possible moth invasion. This method is particularly suitable if you are wondering how to get rid of pantry moths or Indian meal moths.

Natural Moth Repellents
Once you have succeeded in eliminating these undesirable pests from your house, you can use some natural products or repellents to protect your house from another moth infestation. One such a natural moth repellent is lavender oil. Placing a cotton ball soaked in lavender oil in the places which are more suitable for moths can help to repel them. Similar results can be achieved with mint leaves, cloves, thyme and eucalyptus. Make some sachetS by including the leaves of these plants, and place them in places which are favorable for moth growth.

Dehumidifier
Last, but no the least, humidifiers are another effective way to keep your house moth free. As mentioned already, moths simply thrive in a humid environment and so a dehumidifier can help you to tackle this problem. For making this measure more effective, remember to set your humidifier to the extra dry setting.

Hope these simple, yet effective tips on how to get rid of moths would help you to keep your house and its surrounding moth free. Do not forget to clean your house frequently and store food, especially grains, in air tight containers. Also use natural repellents in cabinets and closets. These simple preventive and precautionary measures would go a long way in making your home moth free.