Folk remedies for moths in the apartment: what plants and flowers repel the pest, do essential oils and lavender help, methods of application Russian farmer

The butterfly is one of the most beautiful insects on the planet. However, among the bright representatives of this species there are also inconspicuous specimens. They prefer to live in human houses, mainly in wardrobes or kitchen cabinets. Their name is moth. When such neighbors appear, the owners face a lot of problems, including spoiled food or clothes with holes.

Moths are a nasty pest.

Features of using folk remedies for moths in an apartment

All known methods of getting rid of pests differ depending on what type of moth you have to fight: clothes moths or kitchen moths.

But they all have the same quality: they simply repel insects without destroying them . The only drawback of all these methods is their slow action.

Next, we’ll tell you in more detail about how to get rid of moths in an apartment using folk remedies?

What plants produce phytoncides?

Some of the most reliable plant protectors of the garden include basil, onion, mustard, mint, lemon balm and dandelion.

Basil.

The phytoncides contained in this plant repel insect pests such as five-spotted hawkmoth, aphids, and many others. Planting this plant next to beans will reduce bean weevil damage.

Mustard.

Mustard powder is usually used against red apple mites, aphids, sawflies, cutworm caterpillars, whites and other pests. However, you can prepare a decoction from the above-ground parts of plants. Infuse 100 g of finely chopped raw materials in 1 liter of water in a tightly closed container for 1 day. Add 8 liters of water and boil for 30 minutes. Cool and filter.

Onion.

Used in the fight against bedbugs, aphids, copperheads, spider mites, and codling moths. For this purpose, an infusion of onion peels is used, which is sprayed on plants. Planting onions around the perimeter of the area where strawberries are grown gives good results. This will help repel the strawberry weevil.

Melissa.

This phytoncidal plant is used in the fight against aphids. Since it repels ants, which are carried by aphids, it is a good idea to plant lemon balm near your vegetable crops. In addition, for the same purpose, lemon balm infusion is used, which is sprayed on plants.

Mint.

Repels flea beetles, whiteflies, ants, cabbage whites, and caterpillars. In addition, peppermint attracts entomophagous insects, such as predatory wasps and hover flies, which destroy aphids.

Next, you will find out what other plants produce phytoncides.

Orange peels

Orange peels, as well as lemon and tangerine peels, are an old folk method of getting rid of moths. Their strong odor frightens adult butterflies .

Where the crusts are laid out: in cabinets or nightstands, they do not lay eggs. This is good for preventive purposes or to repel insects.

Rules of application:

Place fresh citrus fruit peels near food products.
Peels that dry out and lose their flavor must be replaced promptly.

Thyme

It is truly impossible not to notice this fragrant grass in fields or meadows! It has such a persistent smell that your hands will smell all day long after touching the shoots. At the same time, the aroma is not intrusive and pleasant.

Thyme has a very beneficial effect on humans - it has a tonic and invigorating effect, improves blood circulation and metabolism, and helps to quickly restore the body after illness. But it has a negative effect on moth butterflies. To quickly remove all insects, place bouquets of thyme in your apartment and closets.

Laundry soap

Another popular, but most importantly universal method , the main disadvantage of which is the unpleasant odor characteristic of soap.

Few people will wear expensive and beautiful clothes if they smell of laundry soap.

But laundry soap repels adult individuals and very noticeably limits the movement of caterpillars . This product is affordable to any buyer. It is especially convenient to use it to get rid of insects that have settled in pantries and closets.

For quality use, place pieces of fresh laundry soap inside kitchen furniture or place them in the pockets of clothing that needs to be protected.

Plectranthus (moth tree)

What flower repels moths? In addition to geranium, plectranthus, a small shrub brought to us from South America, also has such beneficial properties. In our country, the “molar tree” is valued for its ease of care and fresh aroma. The smell of plectranthus is reminiscent of mint, camphor, lemon balm or lemon. It perfectly purifies the air in the house and allows you to get rid of moths in the shortest possible time.

Lavender for moths

Lavender is considered the most popular folk remedy. This plant has a strong and very pleasant smell. It doesn't run out of steam for a long time. Lavender effectively repels both caterpillars and adult butterflies .

At the same time, dried flowers and essential oil made from the plant , which is a component of many industrial products used to get rid of insect pests, are equally effective.

Place the leaves of the plant in porous bags around the apartment, place them in the wardrobe between stacked things . If we are talking about essential oil, then it is placed on the shelves of cabinets directly in open vessels.

Clothes can be protected by spraying them with lavender infusion . You just have to do this often.

Important! Do not spray lavender or any other essential liquid onto your clothing. The quality of this product varies. If it contains at least a little palm or sunflower oil, stains will remain on things that are difficult or even impossible to remove.

Rosemary

Rosemary repels mosquitoes and other insects that are harmful to plants. Rosemary is available today in various forms. The plants can be grown in pots on the patio and shaped into ornamental bushes in the garden (some varieties can grow quite large). Rosemary is also wonderful in cooking. The plant and its cuttings themselves are effective repellents.

You can make a simple repellent spray: boil 500 grams of dried rosemary in a liter of water for 20 to 30 minutes. Then cool and pour into a container with a dispenser. The solution must be stored in the refrigerator!

Other herbs:

Bay leaf: repels flies. Dried bay leaves, which are sold in stores for adding to soups and stir-fries, are not suitable. Therefore, grow bay leaves at home.
Onion: repels flies, Japanese beetles (aka Japanese beetles) and aphids.
Dill: against aphids, edgeworms, spider mites, cutworms, cabbage and hawk moths.
Fennel: Helps control aphids, slugs and snails.
Melissa officinalis: repels mosquitoes.
Oregano: repels many pests and adds moisture to the soil.
Parsley: repels various bugs.
Thyme: repels whiteflies, armyworms, etc.

Mint

Like lavender, this plant has a strong scent .

It is used in a similar way: the dried leaves are laid out in small bags and placed where there should be a large concentration of pests.

From time to time it is recommended to check whether the pouch is exhausted. If this happens, replace it with another one with fresher dried leaves. To increase efficiency, you can place them in the wardrobe in the pockets of sweaters, coats, fur coats and jackets .

Recommended plants

Using plants to control pests is one of the safest methods. Moreover, for a person the aromas of herbs will be, on the contrary, pleasant, but for a parasite they will be disgusting.

Sagebrush

This means of killing and repelling moths is used very often. It is not difficult to find; it grows in ravines and forest clearings. The stems and flowers of wormwood should be collected in July and dried in the shade. The dried plant is placed in fabric bags and placed in cabinets. In addition to moths, the aroma of wormwood also works against flies, ants, fleas and cockroaches. In addition to placing dead wood in cabinets, you can wash your living space (floors, furniture) with a decoction of this herb.

Geranium

This indoor plant grows on the window of many residents of our country. When in contact with the leaves and stems of geranium, the aroma intensifies, so intolerable by moths.

To repel insects, place fresh leaves in closets and bedside tables with clothes and keep them there until dry. After this, they need to be replaced with new ones.

You can also use geranium essential oil: 20-25 drops of essential oil per 1 liter. water. Wash the apartment with this solution. With the aroma created, the pest will not be able to live and will certainly not settle in such a home. If, nevertheless, the insect has already settled, geranium can significantly reduce the number of uninvited guests or “evict” them completely.

Lavender

This plant cannot be collected in every region, but you can buy dried flowers and leaves at almost any pharmacy. Moths are terribly afraid of the smell of lavender, and if you place self-made rag bags (sachets) with a dried plant in the cabinets, the insect will definitely not get in.

Ledum

The plant is poisonous, so it is better not to abuse this remedy. If its aroma is too strong, unpleasant consequences will affect a person: nausea or headache will be guaranteed. In small quantities, wild rosemary will not cause harm, but the moth will still feel it and try to retreat.

Rosemary

The principle of using rosemary is the same: leaves laid out on furniture shelves. However, its smell is not so persistent, so it will require frequent updating. The smell of this plant is specific; the flying pest cannot stand it. It is also possible to use its oil.

You can grow rosemary at home in pots. In this case, the moth repeller will always be available; you only need to replace the “exhausted” leaves with new ones as needed.

Lemon mint

Disgusting to moths, but very pleasant to humans, the aroma of mint will not only help get rid of the parasite, but will also calm you down and create an aura of comfort in your home.

Moth butterflies, so sensitive to odors, will never risk settling in a house that smells of mint.

Tansy

Tansy, also popularly called “wild mountain ash,” grows everywhere, and it is not difficult to get it. As a last resort, buying it at the pharmacy (herbal preparations with it are also suitable) is even easier. A medicinal plant, which at the same time can be poisonous to humans in inappropriate doses, is very good at repelling moths with its smell.

The dried plant must be placed in areas where moths are most likely to gather, after which the insect will have to say goodbye to its “habitable” place.

Immortelle

Immortelle baskets can be stored in dried form for years, emitting a pungent aroma that is intolerable to moths. An insect will definitely not risk settling in a home if it smells this plant.

Thyme (thyme)

Prepare fabric cases or gauze pads, fill them with dried thyme and place them on each shelf where clothes attractive to moths are located (fur, wool, etc.). Things will acquire a very pleasant smell, and the moth, which cannot stand it, will hastily leave the room and will not want to return there again.

You should not constantly use the same plants or oils, as their aromas can gradually become addictive to the moth. It is better to periodically change the herbs, then parasites will not be able to settle in the home.

Geranium

The fight against small gray butterflies that have settled in the house is not always active and involves the use of means specially prepared for this. There are also passive ways. Often it is enough to place an indoor flower on the windowsill, like an ordinary geranium .

Many insects cannot tolerate the smell of this plant. If the apartment is large, get several bushes. Place one pot in each room. Geranium is equally effective against both kitchen and clothes moths.

Always keep live flower bushes in your apartment. Periodically open kitchen cabinets, wardrobes and bedside tables, ventilating them once every few days.

horse chestnut

It turns out that chestnut protects well from insect pests. Its seeds should be collected in late autumn.

After drying them in the oven (raw chestnuts quickly become moldy), place them on shelves in the cupboards. You won't need bags here.

Chestnut has several advantages:

The fruits are easy to collect and just as easy to arrange;
They act effectively and do not have a strong aroma ;
The fruits are quite large in size, so they are not capable of littering the apartment.

Chrysanthemums

The ingredient in chrysanthemums that makes them such an effective insect repellent is pyrethrum. Chrysanthemums repel ants, Japanese beetles, ticks, lice, fleas, bedbugs, spider mites, beetles, etc.

Pyrethrums in chrysanthemums can kill flying and jumping insects, are used in the most common American home and garden insecticide, and are often used in room sprays, homemade shampoos and aerosol bombs.

However, pyrethrum may be a human carcinogen and caution should be exercised. Make sure you are not at risk

Vinegar and garlic

Vinegar and garlic do not have a very pleasant smell. Although it is precisely because of it that they are considered a good means of fighting insects. It is better to store garlic in the kitchen, inside cabinets or in pantries next to other food products, and it is recommended to add vinegar to the water when cleaning the floor in the apartment.

The butterfly does not tolerate spicy plants, including thyme, rosemary and cloves. They can be placed in bags, combined with each other, or used each separately. Such sets are distributed throughout the apartment and repel pests from the premises for a long period.

What is he afraid of?

To understand what the kitchen moth is afraid of, you should determine its habitat. In the kitchen, the parasite can be found in cereals, flour, and any dry food products. To eliminate larvae, you should carefully review all packages of cereals, seasonings and similar substances.

It is important to get rid of all contaminated food items, otherwise others will gradually become affected.

Shelves can be treated with laundry soap or essential oils. This will be safe for the health of household members. Also, to repel, bunches of fragrant herbs such as mint and lavender are laid out. Spicy odors do not kill parasites, but only force them to look for another home.

Also, in the absence of lavender and mint, use bay leaf and garlic against kitchen moths.

But what you should be more afraid of is not flying individuals, but their larvae, which hide in secluded dark places and spoil food and things.

Fragrant tobacco

Tobacco is another effective folk method against gray butterflies. Fragrant tobacco is usually used as a houseplant, but as for smoking tobacco, it is better to use it in the form of small dry leaves, as in the cigarettes we are used to.

Place regular tobacco in bags and place inside pieces of furniture. Don't forget to ventilate your wardrobe periodically.

Attention! Do not use tobacco to protect clothing from moths. Things soaked in it will lose their attractiveness.

Dill

Perhaps the most accessible plant against household pests. Its Latin name - anetum graveolens or strong-smelling - speaks for itself. This spice has a sharp and rather specific aroma that is difficult to confuse with anything else. You can safely use both fresh bunches of dill and crushed and dried powder.

Scented herbs

Insects are repelled by bunches of wild or cultivated fragrant herbs. Among them, the most effective means are the following:

Sagebrush;
Tansy;
Chamomile;
Valerian;
Marigold;
Carnation.

Other folk methods and means to repel annoying pests:

Camphor . Soak swabs in it and place them in places where butterflies accumulate.
A combination of lemon and cloves . The buds of a spicy plant are stuck into half a lemon and suspended on a strong thread above the shelves with things.
Pieces of cedar twigs and wood are also not carried by insects. Place them in wardrobes where fur coats hang. You can also use cedar needle oil for this purpose.
black pepper (peas) using the same method .
Residents claim that sometimes gray butterflies are repelled by the smell of fresh newspapers . But experts consider this method rather dubious.

Advice! To prevent insects from infesting the kitchen, the best solution would be to store cereals in closed containers or tightly tied bags. Before storage, clean outer clothing and put plastic covers on it.

Do not forget to regularly ventilate the apartment and constantly clean it using disinfectants. Moths are afraid of low and high temperatures. So washing in hot water, frying clothes in the open sun or airing in frosty air makes it possible to get rid of females, eggs of pests or their larvae.

By the way, the larvae and eggs are attached to clothes very weakly, so they fall to the floor at the slightest shaking. For this reason, items that are constantly worn are rarely damaged. Those who hang in wardrobes for a long time and wait in the wings suffer the most.

We lure enemies of pests

Don't complain that your crops have a lot of pests.

These same pests have no less enemies: predators simply destroy them, parasites lay eggs on their body, and the hatched larvae then feed on the body of this insect. Many predators and parasites perform double duty, being at the same time pollinators of cultivated plants. These are the insects that are beneficial to you and need to be attracted to your plantings. But for this you need to know something about their biology and preferences. Crawling predators (spiders, ground beetles and others) love shaded, damp places and live among low, densely growing plants such as savory, rosemary, and mint. Ground beetles prefer nightshade plants and acorn grass. Flying predators and parasites include ladybugs, lacewings, parasitic flies and predatory wasps. parasites. The adult lacewing insect and its larvae kill caterpillars, beetle larvae, aphids and eggs of some pests. They lay their eggs in shady, cool places, such as thickets of ferns or evergreen shrubs. The ladybug chooses tansy and yarrow for laying eggs. Parasitic wasps (Chalkidae, Ichneumonidae, Trichogramma) are very effective in controlling the proliferation of caterpillars, aphids and other soft-bodied insects. Adult insects feed on nectar, and their young insects feed on caterpillars and larvae. Since these wasps are very small, they take nectar from small open flowers - such as anise, dill. Plants of the celery family provide a good shelter for parasitic wasps. Predatory wasps and flies (hoverflies, moths) are attracted to plants from the aster family - goldenrod, chamomile, daisies, as well as various types of mint - catnip, peppermint and spearmint. The tastes of insects do not coincide with ours: if we like large, beautiful flowers, then predatory insects are more attracted to small, inconspicuous flowers of savory, chamomile, and especially plants from the celery family. Hover flies, which kill aphids and soft-bodied insects, prefer to obtain nectar from flat, open flowers such as daisies and marigolds.

Marigolds attract hover flies, which kill aphids and other pests

Such plants can be placed along the edges of the garden or border areas with vegetables. You should select types of plants so that they bloom for a long time, replacing each other. Marigolds, alyssum, tansy, chamomile, and daisies are suitable for this. Savory, lavender, hyssop, basil, rosemary, and oregano bloom for a long time. They can be used as border plants. Most plants in the celery family bloom in mid to late summer, while biennial parsley and carrot plants produce early spring flowers. An interesting way to attract beneficial insects to a citrus orchard is described in the book “One Straw Revolution” by Masanobu Fukuoka. In his garden, he planted Morishima acacia - a tree that grows all year round and constantly forms new buds. Aphids feed and reproduce in large numbers on these buds. Ladybugs, in turn, feed on aphids, and they also multiply intensively. Having destroyed all the aphids on the acacia, ladybugs are forced to move to citrus trees, where they begin to eat their pests: mites, scale insects, and scale insects. We don't have Morishima acacia growing here, but obviously a similar technique could be used with some other plant that is loved by aphids. In English literature there are similar ideas: in order to protect cabbage from pests, clover was planted under it. When white clover was sowed under Brussels sprouts, the number of adult cabbage white caterpillars decreased significantly, although the number of eggs laid by the butterfly did not decrease. The reason is that the number of predator insects, ground beetles and spiders that ate the caterpillars increased by 2-3 times. Root fly damage to roots has been reduced. The cabbage harvest has increased. Overseeding red clover under cauliflower was less successful, although the number of cabbage aphids was reduced several times and the number of root flies was reduced by 1.5 times. But red clover grew faster and more actively than white clover, which had a depressing effect on cabbage due to simple competition.

White clover increases Brussels sprouts yield

Essential oils

Essential liquids are an excellent and very effective folk remedy for repelling pests.

fir, eucalyptus, rosemary oil, as well as patchouli, lemongrass and citronella oil are actively used .

Mode of application:

Rinse the floor with water, after adding a few drops of essential liquid;
Wipe the shelves and surfaces where moths may accumulate with oil;
Lay out the swabs soaked in liquid;
Spray cabinets and rooms;
Place open bottles of anti-pest oils in wardrobes, kitchen cabinets and bedside tables.

Larvae

These transitional insect organisms are the most important pests. Caterpillars eat a large amount of lint, which is why bald spots and holes are clearly visible on products. The larva has a white or yellowish color and is small in size. The head of the caterpillar has a brown tint, and small legs are located on the body. The body is adapted to active movement and eating surfaces. Usually there are no holes on fur products, but as the insect moves, a gnawed path remains. Moth larvae are easily transported from one place to another along with clothing, so moths can be brought in if old things were brought into the house from outside.

At the first sign of flying insects, it's a good idea to inspect your closets and carpets. All damaged items must be removed. Treatment for prevention is carried out several times a year.

Naphthalene

Perhaps the most famous and most effective folk remedy for moths is naphthalene.

IMPORTANT! today it is not recommended for residential buildings .

But mothballs are still popular and help get rid of butterflies and insect larvae that cannot stand its pungent smell. Bags of mothballs are usually placed between stacks of clothes on the shelves of wardrobes.

Naphthalene is not able to fight food moths (more about fighting kitchen moths), only clothes moths, since food actively absorbs odors. Therefore, it would be unwise to expose food to spoilage. But there are many modern substitutes for naphthalene against pests that are no less effective.

Modern chemical compounds, which are freely sold in specialized stores, are always ready to help folk remedies for moths in the house.

But you shouldn’t neglect your grandmother’s old methods either, which, as practice shows, do not lose their effectiveness over the years and can be used when really necessary.

So, we told you how to fight moths using folk remedies, described flowers and plants that repel the pest, and also gave advice on how to remove moths from the kitchen using folk remedies?

NOTE! Find out where moths come from in an apartment? Did you know that wax moth exists, and the tincture of its larvae has many medicinal properties.

Review of chemicals

As a rule, the use of chemical means of control is started when folk and available substances do not cope with their task. Chemicals have a great effect, but their use requires special protective equipment and a number of recommendations, as well as preparatory operations. The whole point is that at the time of processing the premises there should be no residents in it. Sometimes such conditions are simply impossible to meet. This is especially true when sick people who are unable to move independently live in the house. In addition, you need to find a roof over your head to wait until the chemistry wears off.

Special anti-moth sections

Such means of control are placed in closets, chests of drawers, etc., where these insects like to climb. There are types of plates that can be used even in the kitchen. These plates are valid for 6 months. They repel insects due to the unpleasant odor that these plates emit. As a rule, after some time the moth will completely disappear from the apartment.

The plates “Moskitol”, “Raid”, “Armol” and “Raptor” are produced. Manufacturers have thought about how to conveniently attach the plates anywhere. In this regard, this type of product is very popular.

Using moth traps

The traps are distinguished by the fact that they are absolutely safe for others, but have a detrimental effect on males, attracting them with a special aroma. Therefore, over time, the reproduction of insects decreases and, as a result, the moth disappears. This type of trap is safe for humans, since there are no harmful vapors or any ultrasound that affects the hearing organs. Such products include Mosquitall and Raptor traps.

Aerosols

Some chemicals are available in aerosol form. Like all other chemical components, aerosols have a detrimental effect on larvae and adults, but can also cause allergic reactions and have an unpleasant odor. They are also not always suitable for use in homes.

Rules of application:

Do not spray the product anywhere. You should focus on areas where larvae and adults are concentrated.
Aerosols are sprayed only when wearing personal protective equipment.
Before spraying begins, all family members with pets must leave the apartment.
You can return to your home only after the time specified in the instructions.
Before returning, it is advisable to do a wet cleaning by wiping all surfaces with a soap and soda solution.

Recommendations for the use of aerosols:

Aerosol "Raptor".
Aerosol "Dichlorvos".
Aerosol "Raid".
Aerosol “Clean House”.
Aerosol "Difox".
Aerosol "Extra Mit".

Spray

Sprays are produced in plastic containers with spray nozzles. Some of the drugs have a high degree of toxicity. Such control agents effectively destroy insects and are also suitable as a prophylactic agent.

The product is sprayed onto knitted and fur items, including the surface of furniture. Often the moth dies after the first treatment.

Compositions available for use:

ARGUS.
Mosquitall.
Tornado.

How to get rid of moths using folk remedies: a description of effective methods, methods of using essential oils and plants that repel the pest

Features of using folk remedies for moths in an apartment

What plants produce phytoncides?

Orange peels

Thyme

Laundry soap

Plectranthus (moth tree)

Lavender for moths

Rosemary

Mint

Recommended plants

Sagebrush

Geranium

Lavender

Ledum

Rosemary

Lemon mint

Tansy

Immortelle

Thyme (thyme)

Geranium

Popular questions

horse chestnut

Chrysanthemums

Vinegar and garlic

What is he afraid of?

Fragrant tobacco

Dill

Scented herbs

We lure enemies of pests

Essential oils

Larvae

Naphthalene

Review of chemicals

Special anti-moth sections

Using moth traps

Aerosols

Spray