The 9 Best Moth Repellents of 2023

Our top pick is the Household Essentials CEDAR FRESH Cedar Closet Variety Pack

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The 9 Best Moth Repellents, Tested By Experts

The Spruce / Chloe Jeong

While they are closely related to butterflies, moths are incredibly annoying—and often destructive—when they get into your home. We spent hours researching the top moth repellants on the market, evaluating formulation, effectiveness, and ease of use.   

Our best overall pick, the Household Essentials CEDAR FRESH Cedar Closet Variety Pack, contains an assortment of pleasantly-scented cedarwood accessories for drawers, hanging rods, and doorknobs.  

Here are the best moth repellents available online.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall

Household Essentials CEDAR FRESH Cedar Closet Variety Pack

4.7
Cedar Closet Variety Pack

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Easy to use

  • Pleasant scent

  • Effective

What We Don't Like
  • Doesn't kill existing moths

Our number one pick is this variety pack from Household Essentials. It comes in sets of 36, 56, 71, or 96 and includes an assortment of kiln-dried eastern red cedar deterrents to place around your home. You'll get rings, cubes, sachets, and hang-ups with metal hooks, all of which have a pleasant yet not overbearing wood scent.

This gives you lots of options. You can attach the hang-ups to your closet rod or on doorknobs, hook the rings to your clothes hangers, put the sachets in drawers, and place the blocks in any other enclosed space that needs protection. Bear in mind, this set won't actually kill moths, but it is an effective solution for repelling them.

Price at time of publish: $17

Type: Cedar pieces | Intended Use: Closets/dressers

Household Essentials CedarFresh Clothes Protector

 The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk

What Testers Say

"I haven’t had any signs of moths in two months of testing, and I’m very happy with the light cedar smell my closet and drawers have taken on. My daughter also loved the smell so much that she grabbed some of the cubes and sachets and put them in with her clothes."—Sarah Vanbuskirk, Product Tester

Best Budget

Enoz Para Moth Balls

Para Moth Balls

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Budget-friendly

  • Effective

  • Kills moths, eggs, and larvae

What We Don't Like
  • Strong odor

For households on a budget, we recommend Enoz Para Moth Balls. They contain paradichlorobenzene, which kills the most destructive species, plus their eggs and larvae.

You can place them in nearly any confined space, like your closet, dresser, or storage bins. Though the active ingredient has a somewhat strong odor, it won't linger on your clothes or linens.

Price at time of publish: $14

Type: Mothballs | Intended Use: Closets/dressers/storage

Best Natural

Armour Shell Lavender Sachet and Cedar Bags

Lavender Sachet and Cedar Bags

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Pleasant smell

  • Long-lasting

What We Don't Like
  • Lavender bags sometimes leak

If you're partial to chemical-free pest solutions, you'll appreciate this set from Armour Shell. It comes with 20 pre-filled sachets, half containing dried lavender flowers and half containing premium cedar chips. When you place a few in your closet and dresser drawers, you'll have peace of mind knowing moths will stay away for months.

Price at time of publish: $26

Type: Sachets | Intended Use: Closet/dresser

Best Spray

Reefer-Galler SLA Cedar Scented Spray

4.2
SLA Cedar Scented Spray

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Budget-friendly

  • Kills and prevents

  • Multi-surface solution

  • Long-lasting

What We Don't Like
  • Harmful if inhaled

When it comes to battling moths, SLA Cedar Scented Spray isn't messing around. This aerosol can contains pyrethrins and other pesticides that kill not only moths and their larvae but also ants, cockroaches, bed bugs, spiders, and other pests on contact.

You can spray it all around your home, including in your closet, on carpets and rugs, and upholstered furniture. Besides stopping them in their tracks, it leaves a cedar scent behind to keep the flyers away for up to three months.

Price at time of publish: $32

Type: Spray | Intended Use: Closet/carpet/upholstery

Reefer-Galler SLA Cedar-Scented Spray

 The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk

What Testers Say

"To treat the rug, I took it outside, both for ventilation and because moths and their larvae hate the sun. I sprayed the critters I could see, and they died, proving that this is definitely a powerful insecticide." — Sarah Vanbuskirk, Product Tester

Best Mothballs

Honey-Can-Do Cedar Moth Balls

Cedar Moth Balls

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Budget-friendly

  • Long-lasting

  • Pleasant smell

  • Naturally absorbent

What We Don't Like
  • Requires periodic sanding to remain effective

Sometimes the simplest solutions offer the best results. That's why we love Honey-Can-Do Moth Balls. You'll get a pack of 24 balls, each made of premium cedar wood and measuring just under an inch in circumference.

You can place them in your closet, dresser drawers, pantry, luggage, or storage containers. The cedar repels moths and can even kill larvae. Plus, you can sand them to freshen up the scent every few months.

Price at time of publish: $11

Type: Mothballs | Intended Use: Closet/dresser/pantry/luggage

Best for Clothing

MothPrevention Powerful Clothes Moth Traps for Closets

4.7
Clothes Moth Traps

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Odor-free

  • User-friendly

  • Prevents mating

What We Don't Like
  • Expensive

  • Traps instead of repels

To stop moths from nibbling their way through your wardrobe, reach for these traps from MothPrevention. The no-nonsense sheets are coated with odorless pheromones that attract the creepy creatures before trapping them in a sticky residue. You can hang them in your closet, on the outside of your dresser, and in any other areas where moths are creating problems.

Price at time of publish: $39

Type: Traps | Intended Use: Closet/dresser

Moth Prevention Moth Traps

The Spruce / Sarah Vanbuskirk 

What Testers Say

"Flimsy appearance aside, these babies work. Despite seeing a moth here and there on our top floor, I wasn’t 100 percent sure that we had a problem. These traps confirmed my fear. I started to see moths in the traps after a few days (it sometimes takes a bit) but luckily only on the top floor—not in my closet, which is a floor below."—Sarah Vanbuskirk, Product Tester

Best Lavender

Richards Moth Away Sachets

Moth Away Sachets

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Pleasant smell

  • Natural

  • Long-lasting

What We Don't Like
  • Must be used before expiration date

For lavender lovers, we recommend Richards Moth Away Sachets. One box contains either 24 or 72 little packets, each filled with lovely-smelling dried lavender flowers. Place a few in your closet, on your shoe rack, and in your dresser drawers to prevent pesky moths from eating your favorite garments. While you can expect months of protection, bear in mind that the sachets need to be used before their expiration date.

Price at time of publish: $22

Type: Lavender sachets | Intended Use: Closet/dresser

Best Cedar

Cedar Sense Cedar Rings

Cedar Rings

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Natural

  • Pleasant smell

  • Absorbs moisture

What We Don't Like
  • May not be effective for larger infestations

Cedar rings like this 30-pack from Cedar Sense are great because the versatile shape gives you lots of options. You can attach them to clothes hangers, put a few in your dresser, or place a couple in your shoes to repel moths. And since cedar is naturally absorbent, you can also toss some in your gym bag, suitcase, or storage containers to absorb moisture, prevent mildew, and keep odors at a minimum.

Price at time of publish: $27

Type: Cedar rings | Intended Use: Closet/drawers/luggage/storage

Best for Pantry Moths

Dr. Killigan's Premium Pantry Moth Traps

Pantry Moth Traps

Courtesy of Amazon

What We Like
  • Prevents mating by entrapment

  • Odor-free

What We Don't Like
  • Traps instead of repels

If you're dealing with pantry moths, call on Dr. Killigan to take care of the problem. These structured paper traps contain a potent pheromone that attracts Indian meal moths and other species that go for your food.

An ultra-sticky glue then imprisons the pests and stops more infestations from forming. Place them on your pantry shelves, kitchen counters, or wherever you want to expel moths.

Price at time of publish: $17

Type: Traps | Intended Use: Pantry/Cupboards

Final Verdict

The best moth repellent solution overall is the Household Essentials CEDAR FRESH Cedar Closet Variety Pack. It comes with an assortment of solid cedar wood pieces and sachets, which you can place throughout your home to keep pests away. However, if you're dealing with pantry moths, your best bet is Dr. Killigan's Premium Pantry Moth Traps (view at Amazon), which use a pheromone to attract the pests and a sticky glue to trap them.

What to Look for in Moth Repellent

Moth Species

You may be surprised to learn that not all moths are the same. Clothing moths and pantry moths are two different species and therefore require different treatment methods. So don’t think that any moth repellent is a one-size-fits-all solution. Instead, make sure to pay attention to what type of moth you're dealing with and buy a repellent for that type.

Application Method

You can treat the infested area in a variety of ways. Some sprays kill moths (or their larva) on contact and create a protective barrier on surfaces like carpets and rugs. Mothballs and cedar blocks are very hassle-free—just place them in the affected drawer or corners, and let them do their job. There are also traps, which kill moths using a sticky substance—but you’ll need to dispose of them as they become full and replace them until the infestation is eradicated.

Scent

While you’re probably familiar with the "classic" scent of mothballs, you’re likely not a big fan of the odor that originates from naphthalene. Fortunately, there are a variety of other scents available in moth repellent products, including cedar, lavender, and other herbal blends.

FAQ
  • What is a natural moth repellent?

    To get rid of moths without moth balls, try a natural moth repellent. These solutions are usually comprised of various spices and/or essential oils that keep moths at bay by distracting them with smells they dislike and avoid. These natural solutions work the same way as moth balls, but without any chemicals. Many people favor a more natural solution since the naphthalene found in common moth balls can be toxic to both humans and pets, according to the National Pesticide Information Center.

  • How do you make moth repellent?

    The easiest way to make a moth repellent is to fill a small bag or sachet with a few dried herbs and spices. Some effective choices are cloves, thyme, and rosemary, dried lavender, or mint leaves. To make these DIY options even more effective, add a few drops of essential oil to the mix. These smells ward off moths while keeping your clothes smelling fresh.

  • What is moth repellent?

    Moth repellent is anything that keeps moths from finding or returning to their food source. The insects love to eat at clothing since they get their nutrients from keratin found in many animal-based fabrics (like cashmere, wool, or silk) as well as dead skin cells and debris found on our clothes. Moth repellent keeps moths from nesting and destroying your clothing items by keeping them away from smelling or ingesting these materials.

Why Trust The Spruce?

The Spruce contributor Theresa Holland is a commerce writer specializing in home improvement, cleaning, and pest control. Over the years, she's tried her fair share of pesticides and insect-prevention products to keep pests out of her home. For this story, she combed through user reviews, researched repellent ingredients and moth species, and evaluated products from a range of brands and retailers before making her selections. Additional reporting was done by Mackenzie Dunn, a writer and editor with expertise in the fashion, beauty, home, and lifestyle spaces. Her work has appeared in Good Housekeeping, Woman's Day, HelloGiggles, Real Simple, MyDomaine, and more.

Updated by
Mackenzie Dunn
Mackenzie is a writer and editor for The Spruce with expertise in the fashion, beauty, home, and lifestyle spaces.
Learn more about The Spruce's Editorial Process
Article Sources
The Spruce uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
  1. Clothes Moths | UKY Entomology.

  2. Clothes Moths Management Guidelines--UC IPM.

  3. Chaudhary, Abha et al. Chemical composition and larvicidal activities of the Himalayan cedar, Cedrus deodara essential oil and its fractions against the diamondback moth, Plutella xylostella. Journal of insect science (Online), vol. 11, pp. 157, 2011. doi:10.1673/031.011.15701

  4. Yongze Bao, Yongdong Zhou. Comparative study of moisture absorption and dimensional stability of Chinese cedar wood with conventional drying and superheated steam dryingDrying Technology, vol 35, no. 7, pp. 860-866, 2017. doi:10.1080/07373937.2016.1222417

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