In this article, we’ll talk about the 11 best moth bait ideas to help you kill the moths in the house and prevent them from returning back. So, keep on reading to learn more about how to keep your house moth-free.
Do you feel that your wool clothes feel lighter than usual? Does the fur in your closet shed excessively? Are you tired of finding holes in cereal packs? You could be dealing with a moth infestation.
Clothes and pantry moths can become very difficult to get rid of if you don’t follow the proper steps. Just a few bugs can quickly build a little army that causes an outbreak in your home.
Although lots of manufacturers designed products that use chemicals and pheromones to help put clothes and pantry moths under control, you can also use some home remedies to get rid of this bug forever.
Content
- 1 Moth Bait – How Do You Know that You Have Moths In the House?
- 2 Best Moth Bait Ideas
- 2.1 1. Use High Temperature to Wash Your Clothes
- 2.2 2. Freeze Your Clothes
- 2.3 3. Clean Using Vinegar
- 2.4 4. Vacuum Regularly
- 2.5 5. Use Lavender Oil
- 2.6 6. Get Rid of Infested Items
- 2.7 7. Empty And Clean
- 2.8 8. Clean Up Spillages
- 2.9 9. Switch Containers
- 2.10 10. Use Shelf Liners
- 2.11 11. Use a Natural Spray
- 3 Moth Bait – Wrap Up
Moth Bait – How Do You Know that You Have Moths In the House?
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Before looking for a remedy to get rid of moths, you need to make sure that you’re actually fighting these insects. There are several insects that might infest your house, and you need to pick the right solution to get rid of them. Here are some telltale signs to show that you’re actually dealing with moths.
Clothes Moths
There are two types of clothes moths that might infest your home, case-making moths and webbing clothes moths. These hide in the closet and don’t fly around in the house.
- Wool clothes or fabrics are full of tunnels that ruin their look.
- Quality of fabrics seems different.
- Carpets are full of holes or seem worn out.
- Clothes smell musty.
- Irregular holes are found in the clothes.
- Tubular cases stuck to the fabric.
- Crusty deposits on clothes and inside the closet.
Pantry Moths
Unlike clothes moths, pantry moths are often seen flying around in your house.
- Food packets have holes in them that cause leaks and spillage.
- Holes are found in food packets.
- Food looks discolored.
- Eggs and larvae are found near the food.
- Web-like materials inside corners.
Best Moth Bait Ideas
Having moths in the house is a health hazard and can also cost you a lot of money. You’ll have to throw away and replace the clothes and food items infested by moths.
Adult moths don’t bite, but some of their larvae can sting, so if you wear your clothes while they’re infested with moths, you might end up with a severe rash because of Lepidopterism.
For these reasons, dealing with a moth infestation should be your top priority. Here are some ideas to help you get rid of these annoying creatures.
1. Use High Temperature to Wash Your Clothes
The best way to get rid of clothes moths is to wash them using hot water and a suitable detergent then put them in the dryer. The high heat kills the bugs, larvae, and eggs, so your clothes will be clean and free of moths.
Before you opt for this solution, check the clothes washing instructions, as the high temperature can make some clothes shrink or damage the fabric. This solution is also not eco-friendly, but it’s highly efficient.
2. Freeze Your Clothes
This is an easy way to kill clothes moths, and it works fast. It also works if you’re worried about your clothes shrinking if you use a high temperature to clean them. After washing and drying your clothes, keep them in air-tight bags and freeze them for a few days. The cold temperature will kill the bugs and the larvae.
After 3 to 4 days, check your clothes to see if the bugs are dead. You can air the clothes for a few hours, then freeze them again to get rid of all the moths.
3. Clean Using Vinegar
Clothes moths can’t tolerate vinegar, so using a mixture of water and vinegar will help you get rid of them. Prepare a solution of equal parts of water and vinegar and wipe the corners and floors of your closet. Make sure that you wipe all the shelves.
Although this method works, it might ruin the paint. After applying the cleaning solution, use a damp cloth to clean it. You can also use this cleaning solution to clean your carpets.
4. Vacuum Regularly
Vacuuming your carpets and rugs is a potent way of getting rid of moths’ larvae and eggs. This method won’t kill the adult moths but will help you control the infestation in your house when combined with other remedies.
5. Use Lavender Oil
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Lavender oil doesn’t kill moths but will guarantee that they won’t infest your clothes. You can soak a cotton ball in lavender oil and hang it in your closet because the moths hate this smell. You can also mix some lavender leaves with cloves to make small sachets that repel clothes moths.
In addition to keeping moths at bay, lavender oil also has a pleasant and relaxing smell, so your clothes will always smell great. You can follow this tip before storing your clothes for next winter.
6. Get Rid of Infested Items
If you have pantry moths, the best way to get rid of them is to throw the infested packets away. Pantry moths lay their eggs inside the packets and containers, so throwing the infested items will be a good solution since you won’t eat them anyways.
7. Empty And Clean
Empty your cabinets and remove all the infested items. Use soapy water to clean your cabinets, and then prepare a mixture of water and vinegar to clean everything. Repeat this routine, and wipe all the corners and shelves for several days.
Keep the pantry clean for days and repeat the cleaning process. Without food, pantry moths will die, and the cleaning solution will kill the eggs and larvae.
8. Clean Up Spillages
Pantry moths will be attracted to your kitchen if you don’t clean regularly. As soon as any spillage happens, remove the food items and wipe away the extra food. This will also keep other bugs like cockroaches, ants, and flies at bay.
9. Switch Containers
Instead of paper and cardboard packages, use glass and plastic containers. Although pantry moths can penetrate cardboard and paper containers, they can’t break through glass and plastic. Make sure that flour, cereals, and grains are stored in air-tight containers. You should always clean these containers regularly.
To protect your food from future infestation, keep flour and grain containers in the freezer. Also, always check your food to make sure that it’s free of moths.
10. Use Shelf Liners
Shelf liners are easy to replace and clean in case of spillage. You can remove the shelf liner if there’s spillage and prevent moths’ access to food.
11. Use a Natural Spray
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Use a natural spray made of peppermint oil, tea tree oil, and eucalyptus oil to repel moths. These essential oils aren’t toxic and won’t affect your food. After cleaning your pantry, spray the solution to keep moths at bay.
Moth Bait – Wrap Up
Whether you’re talking about clothes or pantry moths, there are several moth bait solutions that help you get rid of these bugs and prevent them from returning to your house. There are lots of natural remedies that work if you don’t want to use chemicals around your food and clothes. After getting rid of moths, clean your house regularly to keep moths at bay.
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