Clothes moths don’t like the smell of lavender so it’s a great natural deterrent (Image: Getty)
Households across the UK are being urged to put lavender in their wardrobes from April to deter moths.
The spring season may mark the start of longer days and warmer temperatures, but April and May are also the start of peak clothes moth season in the UK. Moths are most active during these months, as warm conditions create the ideal environment for larvae to hatch, which can wreak havoc on your wardrobe if you’re not careful. Clothes moth season can last until August, and as moths tend to be most active at night, it allows their larvae to feed on your clothing without you noticing, meaning you could wake up to find your favourite items damaged.
The larvae of moths feast on natural fibres like wool, silk and cashmere, leaving holes, tunnels, silky webbing and sand-like droppings in your clothes, with the damage often occurring in dark, quiet and undisturbed places like your wardrobe and drawers. But fortunately, there is a cheap and easy way to tackle this problem – and all you need is a bit of lavender.
Read More: easyJet issues flight cancellations and air fares update to passengers
Read More: Tesco makes major barcode change in UK supermarket ‘first’
Clothes moths are naturally drawn to materials like wool and silk, but lavender helps disrupt that process, so it’s a great natural deterrent to help keep them at bay that won’t cost you very much.
Chris Hutton, storage expert at Adams SelfStore, said: “A lot of people don’t realise moths have already been there for a while. By the time you notice holes in clothing or damage to food, the problem has usually been building in the background.”
“As soon as the temperature starts to rise, eggs begin to hatch. That’s when wardrobes, drawers and those overlooked areas around the home suddenly become prime spots for activity.
“A lot of people overlook lavender, but it’s incredibly effective. It’s not just about the smell; it actually helps stop moths from identifying places to lay their eggs.
“Moths are looking for specific scents when they’re choosing where to lay eggs. Lavender masks those smells, so it makes it much harder for them to settle in the first place.”
Experts recommend filling some small fabric sachets with dried lavender, along with a few drops of lavender essential oil, and placing these inside your wardrobe and drawers, particularly between wool or silk clothing, as well as storage boxes and cupboards.
He added: “Moths tend to target undisturbed areas, so it’s important to think beyond just wardrobes. Storage boxes, cupboards, soft furnishings, even kitchens can all be at risk if you’re not careful.”
“Pantry moths are another common issue this time of year. Keeping food sealed is essential, but using lavender nearby can help reduce the chances of a problem starting.”
If you can’t get hold of any lavender sachets, you can try making your own lavender spray instead by mixing around 20 drops of lavender essential oil with water and spritzing this in your wardrobe and drawers. For an extra kick, you could also add some drops of rosemary essential oil, as this is another strong scent that moths dislike.
You can also add a few drops of lavender oil to wool dryer balls and place them in your wardrobe, or use them in the dryer to infuse your clothes with the scent.
With spring a popular time for household cleaning, this simple step is worth adding to the checklist as prevention is much easier than dealing with an infestation later on.
Mr Hutton said: “Once you start seeing damage, you’re already on the back foot. A small bit of preparation now can save a lot of time and hassle later.
“It only takes a few minutes, but it can make a big difference. For something that costs pennies, it’s one of the easiest ways to protect your home this time of year.”
