Moth Repellent Products
Moths themselves do not eat fabric or destroy clothes. The culprit is actually moth larvae that hatch from eggs. Keeping moths away from clothes can be an ordeal. While many rely on harsh pesticides or cedar balls to repel the insects, many expert entomologists have other suggestions. Does this Spark an idea?
-
Mothballs
-
Mothballs contain para-dichlorobenzene and/or naphthalene, two powerful chemical pesticides that produce very strong toxic vapors at room temperature. They are very effective at killing moth larvae before they can damage fabric, but they can also make people sick. In an article written for the website Living With Bugs, Jack DeAngelis, Ph.D. and retired entomologist, went as far as to say that "mothballs should not be used by homeowners" because of their dangerous properties.
Cedar Balls and Chests
-
Cedar balls and cedar chests have been advertised as a pleasant-smelling alternative to mothballs, but Dr. DeAngelis says they do nothing to prevent moth infestations, and should not be used for this purpose.
-
Airtight Containers
-
In the same article, Dr. DeAngelis does not recommended any alternative pesticide or chemical repellent. Instead, he suggests more low-tech solutions, such as keeping your fabrics in airtight containers. He also recommends washing fabrics before storing them, because unwashed items are more likely to attract moths.
Other Solutions
-
If you can't store clothes in an airtight container, then entomologists D. Stone and T. Stock at Oregon State University Extension recommend that every month, containers with fabrics should be exposed to direct sunlight for several hours. This will kill any eggs or larvae that have made their way into the containers. The entomologists also recommend storing clothes in a clean environment; anything from stray hair to loose lint can attract moths.
-
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Steve Wisbauer/Stockbyte/Getty Images
