Moth Control Chemicals: A Review of Popular Products

A moth infestation in your apartment is practically a natural disaster. They contaminate food and ruin expensive carpets and clothing. Their larvae love to feast on wool and fur items. In less than three days, a distinctive holey pattern will appear on your favorite sweater, and some items of clothing will simply turn to dust. Using specialized chemicals, you can quickly get rid of this scourge.

The main types of chemical preparations against moths

Moths are a common pest, so there's a wide range of products available to combat them. On store shelves, you'll find:

• sprays and aerosols;
• fumigators;
• plates;
• flavored tablets and balls;
• sticky traps and tapes.

When choosing chemicals, consider the scale of the disaster. Do not spray cabinet shelves with sprays unless there are signs of pest infestation. For insurance, use moth tablets. If moths are visible, you'll need a moth repellent spray. For a serious infestation, use several types of products at once. First, treat infested items with an insecticide spray, set out sticky traps for control, and use a repellent (in tablet or sachet form) to maintain the chemical effect.

Repellents are odorous substances that repel insects. Insecticides are chemical compounds that have a toxic effect.

Moth Aerosols: A Review of Well-Known Brands

This is the most common form of release because it's easy to spray and the results are immediate thanks to the high concentration of active ingredients. Moths caught in the spray are killed instantly. Aerosols also have a powerful effect on insect larvae. Most sprays contain pyrethroid insecticides.

Synthetic pyrethroids are analogs of natural pyrethrins, which are found in pyrethrum powder—the dried and crushed flowers of the Dalmatian chamomile. These substances are characterized by selective action and low toxicity. Pyrethroids decompose when exposed to light and water, forming non-toxic products. They are classified as hazard class 3 for humans and pets (moderately hazardous) and 2 (highly hazardous) for bees.

When working with aerosols, observe safety precautions:

• use protective equipment - gloves and a mask;
• do not inhale chemicals;
• Dry clean treated clothing before wearing, as an allergy to the components of the preparation may develop;
• After spraying the product on the surface of the cabinet shelves, temporarily leave the room;
• During the next three days after treatment, ventilate the rooms regularly.

Dichlorvos

This term refers to products based on organophosphorus compounds. They have been known and widely used for decades. The main reason for their popularity is their versatility: the chemical components kill both crawling and flying insects. The average price is 150–200 rubles. Well-known brands:

• Dichlorvos Neo (190 ml);
  

  Dichlorvos Neo is odorless.

• Dichlorvos KRA - deo super (230 ml).
  

  Dichlorvos Kra Deo Super is a modern product with a less toxic composition for humans than the classic Dichlorvos.

To kill moths in wardrobes, the product is sprayed for a certain period of time, taking into account the approximate consumption: two seconds per 1 m² area. The active phase of action begins within 15 minutes. The product is aggressive: even updated formulas are highly toxic and can be harmful to humans. Therefore, use it only when absolutely necessary—if there are numerous pests and other treatments are ineffective.

Do not spray Dichlorvos on bed linen, surfaces and cabinets where food, medicines, hygiene products and cosmetics are stored.

Mosquitall for moths

This effective permethrin-based product is designed to kill moths and their larvae. It is also effective against carpet beetles. The spray can be used on any clothing, regardless of fabric, as well as carpets and upholstery. The bottle is small—150 ml—and costs about 150 rubles. When used correctly, it lasts a long time. The effect of the spray lasts up to six months.

The unique combination of ingredients produces good results: Moskitol has already saved more than one fur coat.

Raptor

The product contains the same chemicals—tetramethrin and permethrin. The manufacturer claims the aerosol can be sprayed on all fabrics, including fur and leather. It leaves no traces after processing, has a lemon scent, but the aroma is very pungent, chemical and bears little resemblance to the natural one. Therefore, when choosing this aerosol, be sure to take safety precautions. To avoid inhaling harmful fumes, it's best to leave the treated area immediately after spraying. The expected protective effect is 12 months.

Raptor aerosol is a powerful moth repellent, but it has a pungent smell, albeit with hints of lemon.

Armol

This product contains one active ingredient: permethrin. Like other aerosols, the instructions state that it can be used on all fabrics. Guaranteed protection is 6 months. It has a lavender scent that is not offensive. It leaves no streaks and is economical: one can is enough to treat an entire wardrobe twice. The product costs about 100 rubles for 140 ml of product.

The smell of Armol aerosol is truly lavender.

Use of fumigators

This device can help combat more than just mosquitoes and flies. While reputable manufacturers don't produce special plates or liquids for moths and larvae, mosquito repellent tablets are made with the same chemical as many moth repellents—vaporthrin.

Vaporthrin (empentrin) is an insecticide found in tablets and liquids for electric fumigators, as well as in plates designed to protect fur and wool products from damage by insects.

Heating releases the chemical impregnation of the plate or evaporates the liquid from the bottle. The toxic components in this case are lower than in aerosols and sprays, making the method safer for humans. However, its effectiveness is questionable, as the following rules must be followed when using electric fumigators:

• the maximum duration of the device operation is no more than 8 hours per day;
• the need to keep the window open in the room for the entire time it is turned on.

This might repel the moths, but to control larvae, the substance must be applied in a closed, chamber-like space—a cabinet or drawer. Thermal fumigation is more effective against moths.

Electric fumigators are not the most effective way to combat moths.

Raptor Thermal Fumigator (Express Moth Elimination System)

The operating principle is based on the slow thermal evaporation of the active substance, transfluthrin, an insecticide with contact and inhalation activity. Thanks to its high volatility and penetrating ability, adult insects and larvae are destroyed 10 times faster than when using products based on other pyrethroids. A special heating pad is used for heating. Five minutes of exposure to air heats the product to 65°C, evaporating the substance and depositing its molecules on clothing, effectively protecting against moth larvae and egg masses on any fabric. The effect lasts for at least four months. The product costs approximately 250 rubles.

The Raptor heat fumigator, installed in a cabinet, provides fast and long-lasting protection against moths at all stages of their development.

Mothballs and tablets

This form of larval and moth repellent is quite common. They come in scents such as eucalyptus, lavender, and lemon. A package costs about 50 rubles, and the method of use couldn't be simpler: simply place a few tablets or balls on cabinet shelves or in pockets.

Mothballs

This is a “grandmother’s” remedy, proven over the years, effective and inexpensive. But the effect of using naphthalene tablets is purely preventative. The active ingredient—a solid aromatic hydrocarbon derived from petroleum and coke—does not kill clothes moths, larvae, or eggs. In addition to pellets, manufacturers also offer other forms of release, including briquettes and plastic sections with clips.

Research has proven the carcinogenic properties of naphthalene: the substance is harmful to humans and pets.

Photo Gallery: Naphthalene-Based Products

Greenfield tablets

They come in the form of talc balls specially impregnated with lavender essential oil and synthetic additives. The application is standard: place a few tablets on closet shelves or cabinets. You can also place a couple in your pockets. The repellent effect lasts up to six months. A 100g sachet costs about 30-50 rubles. This amount is enough to protect a large closet from moths. Some people dislike the overly pungent odor, which takes a long time to dissipate. Others note that it is relatively pleasant and does not leach into clothing.

Greenfield tablets are a remedy that moths fear.

This product provides reliable protection for natural fiber items against moths and their larvae, as well as carpet beetles. The application method is the same as other products of this type:

1. Open the bag and take out the balls.
2. Place them among items prepared for storage (wool items, furs). Use 2–3 pieces per shelf, drawer, box, or section.
3. Replace the balls after six months of use.

The product does the job, but many are put off by the strong chemical smell of mothballs.

Moth balls often have an unpleasant odor for humans, but they repel moths well.

Moth plates

These are chemically impregnated cardboard sheets. They resemble mosquito repellent tablets for fumigators. They are placed in areas that attract insects. The sheets protect against moth larvae, preventing adult moths from reproducing. Unlike balls, they are indestructible, making them easier to use. They are safer than many moth repellents and are inexpensive.

1. Armol. One package contains 10 pads. The impregnation contains the insecticide empenthrin (a pyrethroid). It has a distinct lavender scent and is used indoors, especially where fur and wool clothing is stored. It is better to place the sheets in the upper parts of the furniture - drawers, mezzanines: the spread of odor and evaporation of chemical impregnation occurs from top to bottomConsumption: no more than 2 packages per 15 m²If there are a lot of larvae, more will be needed to control them, as the plates have a limited range. The price is about 30-50 rubles per box.
   

   To protect one large item, you should use at least two Armol plates.

2. Glorus. An Israeli product for repelling moths and their larvae. It contains no chemicals, making it safe for humans. Avoid using in large quantities; ensure the room is well ventilated, especially if the home is inhabited by people prone to allergic reactions. The sheets have a pleasant citrus scent, as they are infused with orange essential oil. A lavender-scented product is also available. It contains no insecticide, so it's more of a moth preventative. A pack of 10 sheets costs 40-70 rubles.
   

   A safe moth repellent is Antimol plates soaked in lavender or orange essential oils.

3. Dr. Klaus. The patches are available in two varieties: lavender-scented and organic (odorless). The active ingredient in the impregnation is vaportrin in a high concentration (4%). It affects the pest by destroying the larvae. The effect is immediate and lasts for at least 6 months. Its convenient form makes it easy to use on any furniture. It doesn't stain clothing. It's a great budget option: a pack (10 packs) costs about 30-50 rubles.
   

   Dr. Klaus moth repellent contains a large amount of insecticide but is odorless.

4. Raid paper hangers. These are a cross between sheets and hook sections. The cardboard sheets contain round holes, which are used to attach them to clothes hangers. The impregnation contains transfluthrin, an insecticide. Several hangers are used to hang expensive fur coats and cashmere coats. The product has a floral, but rather pungent, scent. The promised effect of using these paper hangers is 3 months. Price: 150 rubles per pack (12 hangers).
   
   

   Raid paper charms with the scent of spring flowers are used to protect the most precious items of clothing.

Anti-moth sections: compact and safe

The product works similarly to balls and sheets. The differences lie in the method of application and installation. The sections are the same sheets, but housed in a plastic case with a hook or adhesive tape at the base for attaching to cabinet walls or baseboards. Their advantage is that they reduce direct contact between people and their belongings and the repellent during use.

1. Lavender-scented Raptor. This budget-friendly option comes in the form of a cardboard pendant with a plastic hook. One piece is designed for 0.5 m.²It's convenient to hang it on a rod at the top of the closet to better distribute the scent. The active ingredient is transfluthrin. One section lasts for 4 months. The product costs 30-50 rubles.
   

   Raptor sections have a convenient plastic hook

2. Mosquitall Lavender Sections. They come in the form of round plastic containers with holes for the active ingredient, empenthrin, to evaporate. Lavender is an interesting color choice. The containers are placed in a cabinet or can be glued to a wall. Do not place more than two containers per 15 square meters. Otherwise, the concentrated vapors may cause discomfort.
   

   Mosquitol sections have not only a lavender scent, but also a lavender color.

Sticky moth repellents

Sticky traps and tapes are non-toxic. They attract small moths. When the pest approaches, it adheres to the sticky substance. Traps like Swissinno or Aeroxon work on this principle. They can be attached to any surface. A special anti-moth tape, Ferokap, has recently been released. The adhesive contains pheromones that attract males. However, it only works on pantry moths:

• grain;
• mill;
• dried fruit;
• barn.

The trap limits pest reproduction and prevents larvae from appearing in food products. Its effect on clothes moths has not been demonstrated.

There are four entrance holes in the trap body for pest access.

Reviews

I used to use Mosquitall only for mosquitoes. Then we bought our child a pair of high boots, and apparently the manufacturer was very kind and sold us a moth squirt along with them—a bonus for the purchase. Of course, we didn't notice them right away. Summer passed, and by fall, I noticed those nasty moths in our house, the clothes-destroying creatures. I panicked—there were tons of edible items for them at home. I couldn't eat them. I started searching for the source. I went through all my things and placed lavender sprigs between them—it also repels these insects. I got to my shoes, and there, in my eaten high boots, besides the moths' mess, I also found babies. Ugh, disgusting. My boots went in the trash, and the neighboring ones too. And off to the store for a special product. I chose this aerosol specifically because it also kills larvae. I came home and sprayed the entire apartment. I closed it for an hour and went for a walk. Then I aired out the room and that was it. The product smells pleasant—like lavender. It leaves no residue. Now I use it for annual maintenance when I put away my winter clothes. I've tried it—it's very effective.

Unfortunately, those nasty moths pop up in the house from time to time... You take good care of your clothes and try to put all natural items in covers, but sooner or later you still see those flying nasties. Of course, you really don't want to take out your favorite wool sweater in the winter and find holes in it... so we always have a moth repellent spray in the house, just in case. Now we have a Raptor in the nightstand. We haven't used it for a while; as I said, moths don't show up very often. But one day it really helped. A dried bouquet of flowers—well, they sell those, I think we bought them on some religious holiday—had a moth infestation. At first, I didn't understand what it was—it was just flying around, where did it come from? Then I thought to look inside—oh, horror! It was full of that nasty stuff. In the end, the bouquet, of course, went in the trash. I closed all the windows, grabbed a spray can, and sprayed almost everything in the house—closets, carpets. Of course, no one stayed in the house. Such products aren't exactly helpful, and the smell is pungent and unpleasant (though they all are, whether Raptor or any other). The moths disappeared, truly, and for a long time. So I confirm its effectiveness and recommend keeping it at home just in case.

We have a large storage room in our apartment, and even relatives put temporarily unneeded items in our storage room, like bags of newborn clothes containing knitted socks, mittens, and overalls. We also store felt boots, fur hats, and fur coats here, making it a true haven for moths. We already had moths eat a baby wool blanket, so now, even if we see a single flying moth, we take immediate action. I tried placing cotton pads with lavender essential oil in the storage room—to no avail. But Armol lavender-scented aerosol spray worked immediately. We used it only once a month ago, and the next morning we saw a couple of lifeless moths on the floor. My husband actually bought this aerosol, giving up on my futile efforts to fight moths with folk remedies. At first, I didn't believe it would be effective and was afraid to spray it because we had kids and a dog at home. I was especially worried when my husband started spraying it at night; I could just imagine the smell we'd all have in the apartment. My husband simply sprayed the walls and shelves of the pantry and closed the door tightly. There was no smell in the apartment. And when we went into the pantry for the first two days, there was only the scent of lavender, and that was it. And there are still no moths.

Back in Soviet times, moth tablets smelled awful, and I hadn't bought them in a long time. Then a friend told me that modern tablets are practically odorless. I found Greenfield moth tablets at the store for 65 rubles a pack. The smell is really very faint and not too offensive. Of course, they don't smell like lavender either. There are 10 tablets in a pack, and I placed one on the bottom and top shelves of each cabinet. According to the instructions, these tablets protect against moths for six months, but I've had them for a whole year and haven't seen a single moth. Although the tablets themselves emit a slight odor, the smell doesn't leach into the laundry, although they do come into contact with each other every now and then. I really like these moth tablets—it seems to have banished moths once and for all, and my apartment doesn't smell of any strange odors.

The smell reminded me a lot of the old, tried-and-true mothballs. It was there even through the unopened package. And when I opened it… if I were a moth, I would have been absolutely floored, as they say. The package contains 100g of mothballs, 6 tablets. You need 1-2 tablets per section (although it's unclear what constitutes such a volume; it would be better to specify cubic meters). I wrapped them in a napkin just in case, so they wouldn't stain my clothes, because they looked greasy. The smell in the closet was overwhelming, so at first I left the window open for a whole day, but then the smell almost disappeared. Let's hope the moths won't eat any felt, leather, or fur now.

We bought it, but we never imagined it could smell so bad. It's the naphthalene in this product, in my opinion, that works wonders. This product will certainly protect you from moths, but you must always be careful, as inhaling its vapors will have no positive effect. Therefore, it's best to use this product in an isolated room, but not where there are children. And although this product is effective against moths that devour everything in their path, you mustn't forget about the environment around you. So, everyone chooses according to their preferences, and I won't buy this product again.

I recently discovered that several small gray butterflies sitting on the kitchen ceiling are moths! Well, there's a first time for everything, what can I say. And I finally figured out what was causing the little holes on my T-shirt. That same day, I went to the OK, where there was a whole shelf labeled "moth repellents." I couldn't even imagine that this was such a common problem! I never buy the most expensive moth repellents (a principle, since I'm an advertiser by education and I know that you can sell anything). I carefully studied all the products, their consumption, and so on, and settled on this one... And the packaging is cute)) I bought four of them. Inside are 10 sheets that look exactly like mosquito repellents. Following the instructions, I placed the sheets under carpets, on shelves, cabinets, and under the sofa. In short, everywhere. And after a couple of days, I noticed that the moths had disappeared and I haven't seen them since. True, I was told that they would fall in and would need to be vacuumed up, but nothing of the sort happened.

I first bought these sheets two years ago when it was time to put away my winter wardrobe. I was looking for something moth-proof, but unscented. Most moth repellents are lavender-scented, and I don't like that smell. The Dr. Klaus package contains 10 sheets. That's enough for all my hats, mittens, and sweaters. I also hung the same brand's "anti-moth with a hook" sheets in my coat and sheepskin coat closet. The packaging says these sheets kill moths and their larvae. I don't know if the moths aren't coming, or if Dr. Klaus is working, but the fact is, there are no moths. I bought these sheets for my yarn chest this summer, as I was seeing signs of moth infestation there. I put the sheets away and forgot about them, but I never saw the bitten yarn again. And the best part is that you take your clothes out after a long time, and they're odorless! I highly recommend them!

I place all the pendants in the closet where I store my winter fur clothes. Their effectiveness doesn't depend on how they're arranged in the closet. This year, I decided to hang them all on the coat hanger. I should point out that those who prefer mild, neutral scents probably won't appreciate this product. The floral scent from the pendants lingers in a closed closet for two to three months. This doesn't bother me. The main thing is that the pendants do their job. For the second year in a row, my fur and wool winter garments are reliably protected. I like the scent of these things, but my family, not so much. They simply try not to look in that very closet too often.

I can say that the scent of the Raptor "Moth Protection" section is simply killer. Judging by the ingredients, there are no essential oils here, but only fragrances. That's what makes it stink. The scent only vaguely resembles lavender. It's very intense. Immediately after installing the sections, our entire house was filled with the aroma. My son howled, as he also doesn't like strong smells (like me). But the moths howled too, and within a couple of days, they were all gone. I can also say that the flies that sometimes appear in flowers have disappeared. So, I have no doubt that the Raptor "Moth Protection" sections are working. I hope that if there were any larvae, they were also caught in the blast and died. After a couple of weeks, the smell became weaker, but if you open the closet, it's simply a stench. Fortunately, the smell doesn't linger on clothes and evaporates immediately when you take them out. As long as it's warm outside and I can keep the windows open, lavender infestations don't bother me too much. But in winter, when windows are rarely opened, I wouldn't risk using Raptor Sections "Moth Protection." They're too fragrant. Overall, I recommend them. They're truly effective.

There are many moth control products. Most are insecticide-based, which not only repel moths but also kill larvae and eggs. When choosing a product, consider the severity of the infestation, and for prevention, use products with the lowest concentration of chemicals or natural ingredients.