How to Keep Insects Out of Closets Without Mothballs

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Things You'll Need

  • Tongue and groove cedar boards

  • Hammer

  • Nails

  • Measuring tape

  • Pencil

Whether they are actually destroying your clothing or they are just being creepy, many types of insects enjoy the darkness and solitude of home closets. Mothballs used to be a popular tool for keeping them away, but let's face it. Mothballs stink. Fortunately, there is another cheap and effective way to keep the bugs at bay. It smells great, and it never needs replacing, either. Read on to learn how to keep insects out of closets without mothballs.

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Step 1

Purchase at least a half dozen thin, tongue-and-groove cedar boards from a hardware store, lumber mill or scrap seller. If you want to cover the entire interior of your closet with cedar, you'll have to take measurements ahead of time and determine how much cedar you need. But this isn't really necessary to make a closet insect-proof. Just a few of the boards will do the trick.

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Step 2

Clear out your closet floor and remove any clothes that may be hanging inside. Make sure you can easily and comfortably reach the back and side walls of the closet.

Step 3

Use your best judgment and personal preferences to determine where you would like the boards installed. They should be nailed to the walls inside the closet, but they can go just about anywhere. You can install them all side-by-side in the middle of the back wall or, if you would like them to be hidden, you can nail a few to each side wall.

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Step 4

Use the measuring tape and pencil to mark the spots where you want the corners of each board.

Step 5

Attach the boards to the inside of the closet using a hammer and nails.

Step 6

Replace the clothes and belongings in the closet. Enjoy your new insect-free storage space.

Tip

Cedar repels a wide range of insects, including some of the most hated home invaders such as fleas, moths and termites. Plan ahead when you're building a new home and finish the new closet interiors with cedar.

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