Natural Moth Ball Alternatives
Mothballs contain several chemicals that can kill moths and prevent them from damaging your clothes. However, many people dislike the smell they produce and it is believed that they can pose a serious health risk through ingestion and inhalation, especially for young children. Rather than continuing with mothballs, try a natural alternative. There are several that have become popular and are highly effective at eliminating the threat of moths. Does this Spark an idea?
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Washing Clothes
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Ensure that all of your clothes have been thoroughly washed and dried before storing them. Moths are attracted to human scents, so clothes that have perfume or cologne on them will become attractive to moths. Washing will remove eggs and reduce the chances of them hatching and becoming even more of a problem.
Repellent Sachets
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Go into your local health store and buy a packet of moth repellent sachets. Alternatively, you can make it yourself. According to Care2, a website that provides "green" alternatives for functions and services, you can easily make these sachets by blending 2 ounces of dried rosemary and mint, 1 ounce of dried thyme and ginseng and 8 ounces of whole cloves in a large bowl and then securing it inside a silk homemade pouch or cotton tea bags. Hang them in closets and wardrobes and place them inside drawers to eliminate moths.
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Homemade Spray
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If you already have moths attacking your wool items, make a simple homemade spray to eliminate them instantly. Add one-fourth of a cup of neem oil to one-half gallon of water. Add a squirt of liquid soap and pour the mixture into a spray bottle. Spray it directly onto moths to kill them and prevent them from breeding.
Store in Plastic Bags
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Store clean clothes in plastic bags or boxes that are tightly sealed. Moths will not be able to penetrate these bags, but it is essential that all eggs are removed from clothes before they are covered up, otherwise you will return to find them damaged by previously unhatched eggs. Dry-clean all clothes before storing them in plastic bags for the long term.
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References
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