How to get rid of moths forever: folk remedies and drugs

There are different types of moths: grain, furniture, woolen, carpet (the latter is also called kozheed, since she is not averse to eating leather goods), even rye and cabbage – only about 30 species.

In addition, moths are not only butterflies, but also caterpillars and eggs. It turns out that chasing moths flying around the house is a useless activity, because by killing them, we only incapacitate males, which are harmless to things and products. Meanwhile, the females lay in the closet all new silvery-white testicles, from which voracious caterpillars soon appear. We will get rid of them.

Grain (food) moths attack our food supplies: cereals, flour and dried fruits most often suffer from its larvae. This moth loves warmth, high humidity and lack of ventilation.

• Prevention: all groceries should be stored in tightly closed jars or, in extreme cases, tied plastic bags.

• How to get rid of: Products heavily affected by moths will have to be thrown away, and those in which there are few insects can be sorted out and dried in the oven, opening its door slightly, at a temperature of 60–70 ° C for 15–20 minutes. You can use the microwave for the same purpose. The cabinet where the food was stored and the moth lived should be washed from the inside with warm soapy water, and then with clean water, the grooves and cracks should be smeared with a brush with table vinegar. Keep the cabinet open until dry.

Woolen (it is also – felt, fur coat, nightmare) moth breeds all year round. And at the same time he eats wool, felt, feathers, natural velvet, fur, book bindings and much more, gnawing through synthetic fabrics and plastic bags on the way to food. Caterpillars can easily withstand temperatures lower than 0 ° C and can go without food for 30 days. Considering that the moth lives for a long time – about two years – you can imagine how many things it will have time to spoil during this time.

• Prevention: the larvae cannot stand bright sunlight and fresh air. That is why moths are not scary for things that are often in use. And winter clothes sent to the closet for the summer need to be taken care of in advance. Caterpillars of moths begin their meal with dirty and sweaty spots, completely eating away the fabric along with the dirt. Therefore, the fight against moths must begin with washing and cleaning clothes before storing them. After cleaning, fur and woolen items are placed in plastic bags, and fur coats are placed in covers made of thick paper with an antimolytic drug. Shake things well before packing: the eggs of the moth are not too firmly attached to the fibers of the fabric or fur, so they will fly off.

• Get rid of: the affected things are treated with drugs based on dichlorvos. A more radical means of killing moth caterpillars does not yet exist. In addition, dichlorvos is the only sure remedy against the skin.

Mole killers come in the form of plates, sections, sprays and classic tablets.

The cheapest option is pills и briquets, which are an alloy of naphthalene and camphor. The tablets are traditionally placed at the top of the cabinets. Heavy vapors of naphthalene and camphor descend, preventing moth butterflies from laying eggs on clothing. These old remedies would be good for everyone, but they are by no means safe for human health, especially in high concentration.

Improved inserts from moths are devoid of an unpleasant odor. According to the manufacturers, they destroy moths and larvae, scare off carpet bugs and skin beetles. You can count on the combat readiness of the plates within 6 months.

Sections of moths – the most civilized form of anti-malaria drugs. They can be scented with lavender, tangerine and chamomile. Special sections are produced for delicate protection of children’s clothes. It is necessary to remove the protective tape and place the section at the top of the cabinet. Antimal action of one section extends to 0,5 cubic meters. m. It will have to be replaced with a new one in 4–6 months. However, the warnings on the packaging that in a room up to 15 sq. m, you can use no more than two sections, and the product should be stored separately from food in places inaccessible to children, they clearly indicate the toxicity of these repellents. Can you replace them with something more natural?

Our grandmothers and great-grandmothers did not know a more effective remedy for moths than naphthalene. However, as it turned out, it only scares away moth butterflies from clothing, but cannot destroy either eggs or caterpillars. In addition, according to the latest scientific evidence, volatile naphthalene is classified as a possible carcinogen leading to the development of cancer in humans and animals.

Lavender and fir essential oils can be used as natural and safe moth repellents. Bouquets of dry lavender in gauze, tampons soaked in lavender or fir oil will protect items stored in the closet from moths.

Butterflies do not like moths and the smell of tobacco, pepper, dry orange peels, strawberry soap … The moth cannot stand the smell of leaves of such houseplants as coleus (aka nettle) and geranium. From time to time, fresh leaves of these unpretentious plants are put into the wardrobe to replace the old ones.

However, remember that all herbal remedies are only repellents. They scare away moth butterflies, protecting things from the invasion of insect pests. If the moth has already occupied your closet, putting a bunch of lavender in it is useless. We’ll have to resort to chemistry.