8 Best Moth Repellents That Work for Clothes and Pantries

,If you've ever opened your closet to find tiny holes in your favorite wool sweater or discovered moths fluttering around your cereal boxes, you're not alone. Moths may be small, but they can cause serious damage to clothes and food. The good news? There are highly effective moth repellents or moth solutions that can protect your home—whether you're dealing with clothes moths in the wardrobe or pantry moths in the kitchen. In this guide, we share the best moth repellents tested for real results, explain how to choose the right one, and help you protect your belongings with confidence.

Moth Problem: Clothes Moths vs. Pantry Moths

Not all moths are the same. Before choosing a moth repellent, it’s important to understand which type you’re dealing with:

• Clothes moths feed on natural fibers like wool, cashmere, and silk. You’ll typically find them in closets, drawers, or storage bins.

• Pantry moths, like Indian meal moths, target dry food products. You’ll spot them near flour, grains, cereals, or dried fruit in your pantry or kitchen.

Using the wrong product for the wrong moth type won’t help. For example, a pantry moth trap won’t protect your winter coats.

How Do Moths Enter Your Home？

Moths can enter your home through surprisingly simple routes. Open windows and doors without screens provide easy access, especially during warmer months when moths are most active. They may also hitch a ride on secondhand clothing, rugs, or upholstered furniture, which often harbor moth eggs or larvae unnoticed. Pantry moths are commonly introduced via infested dry goods such as flour, grains, or pet food. Once inside, they find quiet, dark spaces like closets or kitchen cabinets to settle and reproduce. Regular cleaning, sealed storage containers, and proper inspection of new items are your first line of defense.

What to Look For in a Moth Repellent

When choosing the best moth repellent, consider the following factors:

1. Type of Repellent

There are many options, including:

• Cedar blocks or sachets (natural, best for prevention)

• Pheromone sticky traps (good for detecting and catching male moths)

• Mothballs (chemical, effective but strong-smelling and not pet/kid-safe)

• Sprays (kill moths and larvae, but some contain chemicals)

2. Scent

Strong scents like cedar, lavender, or clove can naturally repel moths. These are ideal if you want a chemical-free moth repellent.

3. Safety

If you have kids or pets, avoid traditional mothballs with toxic ingredients. Opt for natural moth deterrents or pet-safe options.

4. Food-Safe or Not

Not all moth repellents are safe for use around food. For pantry use, choose traps or sprays that are labeled food-safe.

5. Longevity and Coverage

Some repellents last up to 6 months; others need refreshing after 3. Make sure the coverage area matches your space.

Our Picks: The 8 Best Moth Repellents of 2025

From cedar sachets to powerful sprays, these expert-approved picks offer safe, effective solutions for every room in your home.

1. Household Essentials Cedar Closet Variety Pack

Price: $17.99

Best for: All-around natural protection in closets and drawers

This all-natural cedar variety pack includes blocks, rings, balls, and sachets that you can place in drawers, hang in closets, or store with clothes. It doesn’t kill moths but keeps them away long-term. You can sand the wood to refresh the scent.

Type: Cedar | Scent: Cedar | Safe for food: No | Safe for kids/pets: Yes

2. Enoz Para Moth Balls

Price: $10.88

Best for: Long-term storage and active infestations (closets only)

These powerful mothballs kill adult moths, larvae, and eggs using paradichlorobenzene gas. Extremely effective, but the strong smell and chemical content make them unsuitable for families with children or pets.

Type: Mothballs | Scent: Chemical | Safe for food: No | Safe for kids/pets: No

3. MothPrevention Clothes Moth Traps

Price: $39.95(3-Pack)

Best for: Detecting and reducing moth activity in closets

These pheromone sticky traps are safe, odorless, and highly effective. While they don’t kill larvae or eggs, they disrupt the breeding cycle and help track infestations.

Type: Trap | Scent: None | Safe for food: No | Safe for kids/pets: Yes

4. Dr. Killigan’s Premium Pantry Moth Traps

Price: $17.97

Best for: Eliminating pantry moths naturally

This is the top pick for pantry moth control. It uses natural pheromones and sticky glue, making it safe around food. The design is attractive, effective, and hides dead moths from view.

Type: Trap | Scent: None | Safe for food: Yes | Safe for kids/pets: Yes

5. Reefer-Galler SLA Cedar Spray

Price: $13.88 

Best for: Killing active infestations in closets or carpets

This potent aerosol spray contains pyrethrins and cedar scent. It kills moths on contact but should not be used around children or food. Works well on carpets, furniture, and closet interiors.

Type: Spray | Scent: Cedar/chemical | Safe for food: No | Safe for kids/pets: No

6. Professor Killamoth Cedar and Lavender Sachets

Price: $13.88 

Best for: Natural scent-based moth deterrence

With a mix of cedar chips and lavender, these sachets smell great and are a gentle way to prevent moths. Hang them in closets or place them in storage bins. They're a great chemical-free moth repellent option.

Type: Sachets | Scent: Cedar + lavender | Safe for food: No | Safe for kids/pets: Yes

7. Cedar Sense Cedar Rings

Price: $9.00 – $30.00

Best for: Simple protection on clothing hangers

Cedar rings slip directly onto hangers and provide consistent scent in tight spaces. They also help absorb moisture and odors. Includes sandpaper to refresh the wood when scent fades.

Type: Cedar | Scent: Cedar | Safe for food: No | Safe for kids/pets: Yes

8. Eco Defense Moth Killer Spray

Price: $9.00 – $30.0024.95

Best for: Eco-conscious consumers seeking a spray solution

Made from essential oils like peppermint and clove, this spray is non-toxic, smells fresh, and is safe to use in kitchens, bedrooms, and nurseries. While it may not be as strong as chemical sprays, it’s a solid everyday repellent.

Type: Spray | Scent: Herbal | Safe for food: Yes | Safe for kids/pets: Yes

Tips for Using Moth Repellents Effectively

• Identify the type of moth before selecting a product.

• Deep clean affected areas to remove eggs and larvae.

• Rotate and refresh sachets and cedar items every 2–3 months.

• Use airtight containers for off-season clothes or food.

• Combine prevention + elimination (e.g., traps + spray) for best results.

Combining Flying Insect Traps to Eliminate Moths Completely

To tackle a moth infestation at its root, consider combining moth repellents with flying insect traps. While repellents help deter moths from settling and laying eggs, electric flying insect traps (such as plug-in fly killers or UV indoor bug zappers) actively lure and eliminate adult moths. This dual approach stops the breeding cycle and offers a more complete solution. Place electric fly catchers near pantry entrances, closets, and dimly lit corners to intercept moths in flight, especially during the evening when they’re most active.

WowCatch Moth Trap JT02 Recommended Reasons

Price: $16.14

Best for: Home flies or bugs - Moths, Mosquitoes, Fly, Fruit Flies, Gnats, No-See-Ums, Beetles, Wasps, Yellow Jackets

• 1 Device + 4 Refills

• Safe for families and pets

• Chemical-free design

• Easy to set up or replace refills

• Daliy cost only $0.03 a day

Trap Comparison: 4 Hot-Selling Flying Insect Trap Refills

Why Trust Our Recommendations

Wowcatch reviewed and compared dozens of clothes moth repellents, pantry moth traps, natural moth deterrents, and chemical moth killers to create this list. Our selection includes products for every room type, safety level, and infestation severity.

Whether you're looking for a pet-safe cedar repellent, a powerful moth-killing spray, or an eco-friendly pantry trap, there's an option here that fits your needs.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the most effective moth repellent for clothes?
Cedar-based moth repellents like blocks and sachets are great for prevention, but sprays or mothballs are more effective for active infestations.

2. Are mothballs safe to use?
Traditional mothballs are effective but contain toxic chemicals. Use with caution and avoid in homes with pets or children.

3. Can I use moth repellents in the pantry?
Yes, but only use food-safe pantry moth traps like Dr. Killigan’s, which use pheromones and sticky glue instead of chemicals.

4. Do natural moth repellents really work?
Yes, scents like cedar and lavender can help prevent moths, especially when used early. However, they won’t kill larvae or eggs already present.