Folk remedies for moths, household chemicals and traps: how to smoke voracious insects out of the closet

Wardrobes that smelled like mothballs are a thing of the past. Nowadays, stores sell a variety of moth repellents that work effectively and smell nice. They can be divided into two categories - aerosols for spraying in the apartment (usually they also work on other insects) and various sachets, plates that are hung in the closet to protect clothes from being eaten by moths. The choice of products is huge, from well-known and not so well-known manufacturers, the effectiveness also varies. But you can choose the best option. The rating of the best moth repellents will help you get rid of harmful insects faster.

The best anti-moth sprays

If you need to quickly and surely get rid of annoying insects, the best option is to use anti-moth aerosols. They treat all places where pests can potentially live - cabinets inside and outside, sofas and other upholstered furniture, clothes. When working with aerosols, you must observe safety precautions and be sure to ventilate the apartment after treatment, since the composition usually contains insecticides. They are safe for humans, but can cause allergies and even mild poisoning if inhaled excessively. If used carefully, aerosols will help get rid of moths in the entire apartment in one day and will not cause harm to its inhabitants.

How is it dangerous?

The damage caused by moths will be an unpleasant surprise for any housewife. The proximity to this small, inconspicuous insect causes holes to appear on clothes. They can be tiny or so large that the item can only be thrown in the trash. It is especially unpleasant when expensive wardrobe items, such as a natural fur coat, winter boots, or a mink hat, are attacked. This is associated with considerable financial losses, which significantly impact the family budget.

In extreme situations, a person in his own apartment may find himself hostage to insects. There are so many moths that they swarm around, land on your face, and get into your mouth and nose. In the evenings, following their nature, they circle around light bulbs and lamps, and at night they prevent sleep more than mosquitoes or flies. At night, the persistent desire of moths to settle on a human face causes especially strong irritation.

Contact specialists

Specialized companies provide services for the destruction of moths in houses, apartments, retail, office and warehouse premises. Treatment is carried out using the cold or hot fog method.

Treatment of the room with cold fog.

Cold fog is an aerosol spray of an insecticidal composition with a temperature equal to the ambient temperature.

It stays in the air for no more than 4 hours and is suitable for treating rooms where animals or plants are located.

Hot fog is a spray of a product with a temperature of about 60°C. Its hovering in the air lasts about 10 hours; this option is used to kill moths in greenhouses or non-residential premises.

Reasons for appearing in the apartment

Food moths are insects that eat sweet foods. Appears and uses the following products:

• sugar;
• cereals;
• brewed tea;

• cereals;
• potatoes;
• animal feed.

Causes:

• unscrupulous manufacturers have not checked their products for the presence of insects or their eggs;
• insects entered the apartment through the ventilation hatch;
• eggs were laid somewhere in the apartment, which began to hatch due to favorable conditions.

Many people believe that moths only appear in unscrupulous housewives, but in fact this is not the case. Insects do not appear because of dirt.

In 75% of cases they are brought into the house:

• with clothes and furniture made of natural or fur materials;
• with bound books;
• with shoes made of fur or wool;
• fur carpets.

Features of control by insect species

Since all types of moths still belong to the same family, the methods of combating these pests are similar. Therefore, we will not analyze the process of destroying each subspecies separately, but will divide it into only 2 classes: clothing (feeds on things made of fur, wool, natural fabrics, upholstery, furniture filler, carpet pile) and food (dangerous for food).

Check out our collection of quick cleaning tips.

Clothes moth

The fight against moths in the wardrobe begins with general cleaning:

1. need to get clothes
2. spread out in the sun (or take out in the cold),
3. and wash the inside of the cabinet thoroughly.

Important! Treating one compartment is not enough; if the closet is large, inspect, sort through and wash every shelf, drawer, and hard-to-reach corner.

After sunbathing, be sure to wash items on which larvae are found in water at the maximum permissible temperature for the fabric. If the moth is a furniture moth, the sofa, chair or armchair should be dry cleaned (or call specialists to your home).

Advice! To prevent moths from getting in, hang clothes on cedar hangers - insects are repelled by the smell of this wood.

food moth

Mechanical methods

The most effective mechanical means of killing moths, other than swatting with your hands, include:

Adhesive tapes

The operating basis of the device is a special glue containing pheromones. Usually 2-3 pieces are used indoors. per 10 sq. m. The tape is carefully removed from the sleeve and hung in the place of greatest concentration of moths. An example is the “Ferokar” tape, which is especially effective at night. The advantages of the described means include:

• High belt efficiency.
• Stopping insect reproduction.
• Long validity period (4-6 weeks).
• An environmentally friendly and safe way.

They are good for removing pests and traps of various types.

Traps

It is immediately worth noting that such devices:

• Easy to use.
• Safe for humans.
• They have an affordable price.
• Great for prevention.

A trap with pheromones is visually very reminiscent of a children's pyramid, which has holes on both sides. At the bottom of a simple structure there is a bait that attracts the male half of the moth. The insect flies in, sticks and dies. Slowly, little by little, but there are fewer pests. Sticky devices that can be attached to the inside walls of kitchen cabinets work in a similar way. Traps are effective for a month, and the most popular include:

• "Raptor".
• "Argus".
• "Delta-250".
• "Aeroxon"
• "Natural Control"
• "Global".

You can use a Swissinno type house trap. It is completely safe for humans, attached to a well-degreased surface, inside has a bait with an aroma attractive to insects, and is open on 4 sides. Moths easily get inside and stick to the walls of the structure.

Glue-based traps act as an amplifier of the effect of other means in the fight against insect pests.

Fumigators

The improved fumigator Raptor provides reliable protection against moths. The operating principle of the heat fumigator is that the heating element (heating pad) heats up to 65 °C from contact with air within 5 minutes from the start of operation. Contact-inhalation insecticide begins to act quickly against insect pests.

When this temperature is reached, the active substance begins to evaporate from the plate. Mixed with air molecules, it actively fills the dressing room. There, molecules with insecticide settle on the fabric. If insect larvae are present on any surface of the clothing, they all die.

Transfluthrin is an effective, fast-acting substance that kills both moths and their offspring. This substance is highly volatile and penetrating, so it affects insects 10 times faster than any other known pyrethroid.

Advantages of a heat fumigator:

• rapid onset of action and prolonged effect;
• the active substance is distributed in the form of vapor;
• effectively protects against moths, their larvae and egg laying;
• The heat fumigator is odorless.

After placing the heat fumigator in the cabinet on a flat surface, you should keep its doors tightly closed. For maximum effect and consolidation of the result, it is recommended to carry out repeated treatment 4 months after the first one.

Video

Heat fumigator raptor - effective protection against moths

Preparations and devices for controlling butterflies and larvae

If you need to destroy moths urgently, pay attention to more radical remedies for moths in the apartment. Professional preparations guarantee quick results with minimal problems with their use. Supermarkets offer a wide selection of anti-moth products. You can choose a drug for each case and at an affordable price. (Cost data is as of January 2018).

Aerosol

An effective remedy against moths and larvae in the apartment, which begins to work immediately after spraying, retains its effect for up to six months. The toxic substance enters the pest's respiratory tract and kills it. It works best when insect oviposition is detected and destroys all future offspring at the same time.

• "Armol". Used to combat any type of moth. It has the scent of lavender flowers and leaves no residue when sprayed. The price of a cylinder does not exceed 100 rubles.
• "Raptor". It is used both to destroy clothes moths and to prevent their occurrence. The spray smells of lavender and is suitable for spraying on thin and natural fabrics. Cost - 150 rubles.
• "Moskitol". Destroys butterflies of any kind, but has no effect on larvae. It has a pleasant smell and does not leave stains on clothes when processed. Costs 200 rubles.
• "Clean house". Suitable for processing upholstered furniture and wooden surfaces. No additional spraying on clothing is required. Has a light herbal aroma. The price is 150 rubles.
• "Antimol drKlaus." Destroys larvae and adult butterflies, has a long-term effect. Designed for processing furniture, suitcases, mezzanines. The average price per cylinder is 170 rubles.
• "Extramit". Used for processing production and warehouse premises. Long-acting aerosol retains its properties for up to six months. The price of the bottle is 70 rubles.

The chemical composition of the aerosol is harmful to health, so cover your breathing organs when spraying, and leave the room for a while after spraying.

Fumigator

A plastic device for repelling moths, mosquitoes and flies, powered by electricity. The full cycle of pest destruction takes several weeks, which is why moth fumigators are less popular than aerosols. In addition, it only kills butterflies, leaving caterpillars and oviposition intact.

The plate or container with the insecticide is placed in a special compartment inside the device, then the fumigator is connected to the network. When the block is heated, active substances begin to be released, a subtle smell destroys the butterflies. The following models are popular.

• "DiK-3". There are two types of model, operating with liquids and plates. The active action of the fumigator begins 12 hours after being plugged into the network. The cost of the device without the unit is 50 rubles.
• Raid. It goes on sale together with the plates. Depending on the modification, you can adjust the intensity and set a timer. The price of the fumigator is from 150 to 400 rubles.
• Raptor. An improved version of "DiK-3" destroys moths and mosquitoes. The cost of the fumigator is 300 rubles. Plates are sold separately.

The content of toxic substances in the fumigator is minimal. The device can be turned on in the apartment without fear for your health.

Trap

Pheromone bait is safe for human health and pets, since it contains no chemical components. It consists of an adhesive base and pheromones. Males, interested in the exciting aroma, fly to the trap and stick tightly. And since reproduction is impossible without males, the life cycle of the moth gradually stops.

• 
  "Raptor". An effective remedy for moths in the closet. The sticky base is impregnated with synthetic resins, rubber and mineral oils. The trap's action begins after the protective coating is removed. She has been active for two months. The cost fluctuates around 150 rubles for two plates.

• Aeroxon. Used to protect the apartment from any type of moth. It is attached with the back side to the surface of the chest of drawers, near the source of infection. To activate the trap, you need to remove the transparent film. Maintains effect for three months. The average price is 300 rubles.
• Global. Destroys food moths. The glue bait consists of three parts, divided by perforations. It can be used separately, hanging in several places, or folded into a “house”, placing it in a chest of drawers. The trap is valid for two months. The average cost is about 200 rubles.

Too many traps in one room can cause the opposite reaction: the males will not smell due to the excess amount of pheromones.

Cases

Allows you to preserve outerwear in the off-season. The mechanical method prevents moths from breaking through dense material. Use breathable covers to prevent clothes from smelling musty later. Wash and iron items before storing them. For prevention, you can hang a moth section in the case. This is an option for those who want to use odorless protective products.

Pills

An alternative to scented aerosols. Anti-moth tablets will protect clothes and drive voracious individuals away. The product does not affect oviposition and larvae. But the affordable price (a pack of 12 pieces can be bought for just 10 rubles) and ease of use make the tablets popular in their segment.

For the best effect, place several tablets in a gauze bag and place them in the corners of your wardrobe. Update your protection every two weeks. The most popular among the population are the anti-moth tablets “Cinderella”, “Dezmol”, “Lavender”, “Crash Moth”.

Sections

This is a plastic container with a hook that is filled with a special gel. The sections operate on the principle of aromatic herbs. The plates permeate the entire cabinet with an unpleasant smell for moths, creating unbearable conditions for reproduction.

The sections are harmless to people and pets. But there is a significant drawback - they do not destroy the larvae. The price for one piece ranges from 80-150 rubles. The best reviews about moth repellents were collected in the “Raid”, “Raptor”, “Taiga”, “Antimol” and Mosquitall sections.

If you see a pest in your apartment, promptly use the selected moth repellent at home. The sooner you start the fight, the greater your chances of winning without losses. It works best to use several methods in combination. Also don't forget about prevention.

Video on the topic

Prevention measures

There are effective methods that help prevent the appearance of unpleasant neighbors in the wardrobe.

Preventing moths from appearing in the closet

First of all, this is the use of essential oils, sharp-smelling plants, tobacco and citrus peels, which repel insects and prevent them from laying eggs on clothes. In addition, special tablets have a similar effect.

Careful care of your wardrobe, regular washing, airing, and storing clothes in covers also help protect things from damage.

Description, life cycle and reproduction

The moth looks inconspicuous: it is a small butterfly of golden yellow or straw color, the wingspan is 15 mm. The insect is afraid of daylight, so it leads a nocturnal lifestyle. During her life cycle, the female manages to lay about 300 eggs. Flying butterflies do not harm clothes. Their digestive system does not function; they only consume water. The danger is posed by small caterpillars - the larvae of household moths.

Knowing how the pest reproduces, you can take preventative measures. At home, the insect prefers to breed in the folds of clothing. Females love dry and warm habitats. After mating, the female is ready to lay eggs within four hours. The higher the temperature, the faster the larvae will hatch from the eggs. Moths in apartments feed on keratins, which they obtain from home textiles: woolen fabrics, fur coats, fabric pads in furniture, curtains and carpets. She is especially attracted to worn clothes with traces of dirt and sweat.

The larvae have a translucent or light yellow body color, due to this the entire contents of their stomach are visible. There are eight short legs on the abdomen; the caterpillar's head is brown. The larvae reach a length of 12 mm, have powerful jaws and a voluminous digestive system. Thanks to this, clothes quickly become unusable, leaving gnawed tracks on the product.

If you see a flying clothes moth, then it is a male. Females do not know how to fly, they stay in one place, and the males fly to them themselves, finding them by a specific smell.

Using garment covers

Covers for clothes, made of fabric with special insecticidal impregnation, are an additional means of protecting expensive clothing from flying pests. The duration of use of such a cover is 1 year, however, experts recommend renewing the impregnation of the cover every 3 months, using a special poison for this.

Special cases for storing clothes.

When choosing a moth cover, it is better to give preference to one that matches the size of the product, is made of dense, light-proof fabric with a texture that allows the fur to “breathe” freely.

Pouches

Raptor produces a convenient pest control device in the form of bags. They are filled with natural wood chips and also contain a plate impregnated with transfluthrin. The active substance begins to actively mix with air and fill the space after opening the original packaging.

After some time, the required concentration of insecticide is collected in the cabinet or drawer. All moths or larvae that are close to the active substance die. At the same time, the pleasant aroma of cedar aromatizes the space and deters new insects from reappearing.

Advantages of the product:

• reliable protection against moths at all stages of its development;
• The effect of the bag lasts for 4 months;
• the product looks attractive and has a pleasant cedar smell;
• The composition contains 95% natural ingredients.

It is recommended to hang the bag by a string on a closet rod or clothes hanger. For an average double-door wardrobe, two bags are enough.

It is advisable to place them next to winter clothes at the rate of 1 bag per closet or chest of drawers. The bag can be used for long-term storage of winter items. To do this, the device is placed in a storage box.

Spray

A universal spray against 17 types of insects from Raptor allows you to get rid of various pests indoors in a matter of seconds. Before use, it is recommended to shake the can and keep it upright. The product should be sprayed carefully from a distance of 20 cm onto places where insects accumulate, their routes of movement and possible habitats.

In order for the product to spread throughout the room in the best possible way, it is advisable to spray the aerosol upward, closer to the center of the room . 20 minutes after treating the room, it is recommended to ventilate it thoroughly for half an hour. To achieve the best result, the treatment should be repeated after 4 weeks.

How to find pest habitats?

There is no point in laying out or spraying moth repellents throughout the apartment. So you will have to inhale toxic substances yourself, and the insects will continue to eat.

Butterflies do not eat food or things. They only lay eggs, from which voracious larvae emerge. Look for the latter.

Many people mistakenly believe that moths feed on fabrics: wool, cotton, fur, feathers and even synthetics. In fact, the larvae's goal is organic matter.

Moths love to eat sweat, fat, and particles of epidermis that remain on human clothing and shoes. And the larvae bite through the tissue fibers on the way to the main food. Pests do not touch clean and fresh things.

Remember, did you take care of washing and cleaning your clothes (shoes) before putting them in the closet? If not, take out and shake up old things, look into boxes with boots.

Grain moth larvae accumulate in the following products:

• flour;
• pasta;
• cereals;
• beans;
• dried fruits and nuts.

The grain moth's favorite food is muesli. Store groceries in tightly closed containers or in the refrigerator. A plastic bag does not protect against moths - voracious larvae can bite through it. Check the products listed above for pests.