What Pesticides Work Best on Moths?

Moths

• Adult meal moths do not feed, but their larvae do. They will feed on dried food such as grains, dry pet food and nuts. They usually enter the home inside infested food products. You’ll most likely spot the adults fluttering around your pantry or see the webbing left behind by the larvae in your food. Clothes moth adults live in closets and attics where woolen or fur items are stored. Their larvae feed on stored sweaters, runs and coats, ruining them with scattered, tiny holes.

Pesticides

• Pesticides are impractical for use with meal moths; there is too much risk of contaminating food in your pantry. Freeze infested food to kill the moths, then discard of it. Removing the affected food will get rid of the infestation. For clothes moths, use the pesticide paradichlorobenzene, or PDB. It is lethal to the moths as eggs, larvae and adults and will wipe out all stages of an infestation. Dichlorvos, or DDVP, is also effective against moths.

Use

• Paradichlorobenzene is available in crystal or flake form. Shake PDB flakes in a closet where you have seen clothes moths or their larvae. Scatter the PDB on and under the wool and fur items you wish to protect. Dichlorvos comes in long strips, ideal for hanging in closets. Use it for the upper portion of a storage area where you can’t use the PDB flakes. Both pesticides will begin killing moths immediately.

Considerations

• Keep children and pets away from the pesticides you use to kill moths. To reduce your family’s exposure to chemical insecticides, once the moths are dead, use other means to prevent a future infestation. Store food in airtight containers and carefully inspect all new dried food that you bring into your home. Use clear, airtight plastic containers to store your woolen or fur items. Inspect them carefully before putting them into a container to be certain that no moths or larvae go in with them.