Published on September 1st, 2022

Last updated on February 6th, 2023

12 Working Ways To Get Rid Of Moths In Your Garage

Estimated reading time: 11 minutes
moth on the wood

Do you need to eliminate the moths you keep seeing in your garage areas? Forget about naphthalene, as it won’t be able to help you get rid of moths in a garage. You must first identify the moth’s habitat to fight for it efficiently.

About 30 species, all distinct from moths, are known. Moths can be various things, including caterpillars, eggs, and butterflies. The male moths are harmless to items because they don’t even have mouthparts. The females continue to produce many new, silver-white eggs in the closet throughout this time, from which hungry caterpillars emerge.

Why Is Moth Infestation Hazardous In A Garage?

moth on the rock

When they come into contact with the skin, moth larvae and adults can irritate and cause allergies. Most people do not notice any health effects from having moths in the garage. These insects do not transmit diseases, and most people allergic to dust mites or other household insects do not experience significant responses when exposed to them.

A skin condition known as lepidopterism, called caterpillar dermatitis, can develop after touching a moth infestation in a garage. A reaction to the insect’s body hairs results in this syndrome. The sharp “thorns” on some larvae can hurt and trigger an allergic reaction. An itchy, occasionally painful skin rash is one of the disease’s primary symptoms. Other, less typical symptoms include:

  • irritated eyes; 
  • a sore throat;
  • hard breathing. 

Antihistamines and topical lotions are typically used as treatments to lessen skin irritation and inflammation after contact with small moths in a garage. Additionally, moth larvae mechanically transport germs, especially harmful ones, with product particles. As a result, the moth was listed as an epidemiologically significant species under sanitary regulations.

How Do Small Moths Appear In A Garage?

Moths find your garage to be a tasty treat. It has a variety of ways to enter your garage: 

  • through an open door or window; 
  • via the ventilation apparatus;
  • used and new clothing; 
  • on a pet’s fur after a walk;
  • on the covers and spines of books on shelves.

One factor contributing to the appearance of pantry moths in a garage is humidity and wetness. As a result, before getting rid of a pesky insect, you need to understand how to dry up a garage. 

Many people think that moths in the garage can only occur in unhygienic settings. However, if there is something to gain from it, the moth doesn’t care if your garage is clean or not. Therefore, if moths have started to appear in your garage, hold off on berating yourself for being careless and having subpar cleaning abilities. 

How Can I Detect Pantry Moths In A Garage?

These signs can be identified in moths in a garage:

  1. The garments started to show holes and slits made by the larvae’s teeth;
  2. Inaccessible corners have cobwebs.

The moth infestation in a garage is expanding quite quickly. Females of viable species typically lay 40 to 200 eggs yearly, while food pest species can lay up to 300 eggs. They can put off larvae after five days, which start quickly consuming anything in their path. Therefore, it is crucial to understand how to get rid of moths in the garage before it is overrun with hungry parasite detachments.

Ways To Get Rid Of Moths In A Garage

man in yellow cleaning gloves

When a moth enters the garage, check every area to see whether there are any signs of its offspring. Check the wallpaper and walls, especially if you have laminate or wood paneling on the walls, then go through the closet to evaluate everything. If a nest is discovered, remove it with a vacuum and immediately empty the garbage bag. 

As a rule, wool moths, furniture moths, and clothing moths in a garage can all be classified as subspecies because they have comparable dietary preferences and habitats. You can use both conventional and modern methods to get rid of it. Take prompt action:

1. Perform A Thorough Cleaning

Cleaning the entire space is the first thing to get rid of moths in a garage. Vacuum all the shelves, walls, and drawers, then wipe them down with a moist cloth and soap. Clean any carpets, pillows, soft toys, blankets, and curtains that are kept in a garage. As the moth loves such surroundings, you should also devote attention to the deepest and darkest areas of the garage.

2. Pick Cedar Rather Than Naphthalene

Naphthalene balls were frequently used to fight moths. They include pesticides like paradichlorobenzene and naphthalene. However, research has indicated that these compounds are destructive to human health.

The cedar tree is a good substitute for preventing the appearance of pantry moths in a garage because these insects cannot stand its smell. You may make scent sachet by placing herbs in tiny cotton bags, or you can purchase one from one of the many stores and supermarkets that sell them.

3. Put Out Smells That Scare Moths

Smells are crucial in the battle against adult moths. Moths can be repelled by herbs like rosemary, thyme, cloves, lavender, and bay leaf, which you can spread out in a garage. You may make your scent sachet by placing herbs in tiny cotton bags. Let’s consider other options:

  • Many people also utilize geranium for moth infestation management in a garage and its aesthetic value. If you place geranium in the space, the moth won’t sit on your belongings;
  • Another choice is to spray diluted essential oils on furniture, rugs, and bookcases inside. You must be cautious in this instance, as stains can still be there;
  • Orange peels can be applied to surfaces in the garage. The most important thing is to replace the exhaled peel often, ideally once a month;
  • Place chunks of recent forest resin, recent fir needles, or strongly smelling cones in the corners of the garage. Be careful not to get tar on the things in your garage;
  • Moreover, you can spread chestnuts on the floors and shelves. Surprisingly, it is frequently claimed that it is effective in the fight against pests.

4. Buy A Strawberry Soap

Purchase strawberry soap bars from the shop, and break them up. Wrap each piece in newspaper or paper, and then put them on shelves. The smell won’t hurt you, and the soap keeps you away from small moths in a garage for a long time. 

5. Consider Vinegar

You should also combine water and vinegar 1:1. You can use a spray bottle to lightly sprinkle the surfaces and wipe them down from time to time with this solution.

6. Call A Laundry

You can clean clothing in the washing machine at its highest setting. Extremely high temperatures can also be effective. By getting in touch with a dry cleaner, you may accomplish the task of killing moths in a garage with the aid of experts.

7. Store The Clothing Properly

If you store the clothes in a garage that you won’t frequently wear, you can preserve them in unique airtight vacuum bags to prevent moth infestation. Robust packages will be impossible for the moth to eat through. The closet where clothing is kept should be dry, cold, and well-ventilated to avoid encouraging bug reproduction.

Chemical Methods To Get Rid Of Moths In Garage

getting rid of moths with chemicals

Insects can be successfully and swiftly eliminated using radical approaches. Use caution and adhere to the guidelines below when utilizing them. Keep in mind that the chemicals in these products are not safe for youngsters. After using them, make sure to wash your hands properly. Observe the guidelines listed below:

  • Avoid using chemicals near food;
  • Treat the surfaces, then step away;
  • After processing, ventilate the space before cleaning it with water;
  • You should read each tool’s instructions.

The following ideas are the most efficient if you want to eliminate moths in a garage chemically.

1. Use Moth Traps

You can place traps for moths in a garage to capture adult insects and eliminate them, stopping their further reproduction. These are typically bits of sticky tape that have been pheromone-impregnated to draw an insect’s attention. Moths that become hooked to the tape cannot release themselves and perish.

2. Use A Specific Aerosol

You need to process clothing that has already been thoroughly cleaned of dirt with the aid of aerosols available at hardware stores. Make sure the garage is ventilated after application.

3. Purchase A Fumigator

When plugged into a power outlet, this electrically powered device can run based on a unique liquid that is dispersed and prevents moth infestation in a garage. Additionally, there are fumigators built on individual plates. The anti-mole ingredient that is infused in them evaporates when heated. 

4. Apply Scented Tablets Or Sachets 

In the garage, pre-made sachets and tablets are arranged on shelves alongside other items. They deter insects and stop their reproduction because of the strong smell. 

5. Request A Reputable Pest Control Service

Sometimes the chemical and folk solutions may not always be sufficient to control a moth infestation in a garage. If these methods are unsuccessful, you should call the experts and clean the residence.

How To Prevent Pantry Moths In A Garage

pantry moth on white cloth

Now that you know what to do, you won’t be afraid of the unwanted insect that has possessed your garage. Regular preventive actions are necessary if you don’t have moths or if, after they’ve been eradicated, you don’t want to fight them again.

1. Clean Regularly 

The first step is emptying the closet and vacuuming every shelf and drawer. Then wipe all internal surfaces with a cloth dipped in any detergent to get rid of moths in a garage because the moth prefers to hide in dark, warm places.

It is also helpful to vacuum carpets and difficult-to-reach areas where dust typically collects, such as under furniture, in the crevices of chests of drawers, and behind radiators. Finally, wash every piece of thing, including the curtains, bedspreads, and furniture.

2. Inspect For Antiquity

Vintage clothing acquired from a great-grandmother or purchased at a flea market needs to be dry cleaned first, and only then can it be hung in a closet. Even if something doesn’t seem suspicious at first glance, moth larvae can readily dwell in the seams.

3. Keep Your Alert

It would help if you periodically go over your wardrobe and routinely air out your garage. Where there is constant access to air and periodic inspection of the state of the clothing, furniture, and books, the small moths will not begin to breed in a garage.

Summary

If you manage to catch one butterfly, don’t assume the issue is resolved; instead, take quick action. Sadly, this is a typical issue when storing wool and fur products, but you can stop its occurrence.

It’s easy to get rid of moths in a garage. To prevent re-infection, you only need to process responsibly and take precautions in the future. Order a hygienic service if you don’t want to worry or, conversely, if you want to get rid of all the moths as quickly as possible. They can reach all the garage’s cracks, crevices, and corners with authorized materials. Such locations are almost tough to self-treat. The price of these services is pretty affordable.

FAQ

Do Flying Moths Pose A Threat?

No. Since only males actively fly, their primary purpose is to fertilize females. And they have a limited lifespan. The larvae are the most harmful. Therefore, you can identify a female butterfly by its colossal body and reluctance to fly. It needs to be eliminated since it’s looking for a spot to give birth.

What Damage Does A Moth Cause?

No instances of the moth carrying dangerous illnesses for humans have been documented. Additionally, these bugs do not bite humans. However, living among them is impossible for purely pragmatic reasons because it spoils food and clothing.

How Long Are Moths Able To Live In-house?

You are erroneous if you believe you can wait a month for the moth to die. Moths have a 15–29 day lifespan. The moth will lay an enormous number of eggs during this month. Thus it is not possible to wait for them to hatch.

At What Temperature Do Clothing Moths Die?

Freezing clothing moths to death is equally simple but slightly more complex. The clothes must be at least 70°F and then stored in a freezer set to below 18° F (-8° C) for at least 72 hours to kill clothing moths effectively.

What Does The Moth Not Like?

Moths dislike cleanliness, movement, and light most of all. So sort out, wash and air out things regularly.

How Long Does It Take To Get Rid Of A Moth Infestation?

It takes at least four to five weeks to stop the life cycle of a moth infestation. If an infestation is already well-established, you could require more time or think about using a more potent full-moth heat treatment.