How to Get Rid of Moths in Garage

Last Updated:

One of the smallest, but most frustrating, kinds of pests is the moth. Moths can lay their eggs in your home or garage before you are even aware, and then once they hatch, it is too late– you have a moth infestation on your hands. If you are dealing with a moth problem in your garage, there are some ways that you can be rid of the infestation. You can also take preventative measures against the moths so that this does not happen again. Keep reading to find out more. 

How to Get Rid of Moths in Garage

When you have a moth infestation in your garage, you may think that you need to hire an expensive exterminator. This is not necessarily the case! There are many other tactics you can implement to deal with a moth infestation before you have to call a professional. Below, we will discuss some of these methods.

Use a Zapper

There are lots of great zappers available for killing moths. If your end game is to get rid of them in a more permanent manner this is a good option.

[azonpress template=”widget” asin=”B07M8VX4T9″]

Lower the Heat

This particular method can also be considered a preventative tactic against a moth infestation. Hot, humanoid temperatures are ideal conditions for moth mating and egg-laying, which will of course lead to an infestation if done in your garage. One of the ways that you can avoid this is to control the heat and humidity within your space. If you can lower the heat and the humidity, you make the space less hospitable for moths and less conducive to breeding. 

Related – How To Get Spiders Out of Your Garage

Use Smell

Another popular method for infestations is to use smell to combat pests. This can be used for other invaders as well– not just moths.

Some of the scents that moths do not like are cedar, lavender, clove, or eucalyptus. In order to use smell to your advantage, you can get essential oils of one or more of these scents. Then, you can either mix them with water in a spray bottle and spray your space, or you can soak cotton balls in the oils and leave them in key areas of the garage.

You can also spray or leave soaked cotton balls near entrance points and around the foundation to deter the moths further.

Use Traps

[azonpress template=”widget” asin=”B087YC886R”]

There are several different kinds of insect traps out there on the market that you can use in your garage. One such trap is the sticky trap, or glue trap. It traps the moths while they are flying around your space and come into contact with the hanging trap. You can cover it with moth pheromones to attract the moths to the trap faster. Alternatively, you can opt for bug zappers or bug shockers. These will kill a moth upon contact, and are often illuminated in order to attract insects to them. Typically, it is believed that bug zappers are more effective than sticky traps, but they are also more expensive. 

Read Also – Mice in the Garage and Traps

Keep Your Space Clean

Dirt and clutter is a trigger for many types of pest infestations. To avoid a moth infestation, you should be conscientious and make sure to clean your garage frequently. Any carpet should be vacuumed, for instance, and you should also ensure that you dust regularly. Dust and dirt can easily draw moths into your space. When vacuuming, you should empty the vacuum frequently so that eggs and larvae do not develop inside the vacuum– or on your dusting cloths. Be sure to wash any cloths or cleaning rags frequently as well. 

Clean with Vinegar

If you find any areas that have larvae or eggs, you need to be sure to clean and disinfect the area properly. Scrub the area with a solution of vinegar and water, which will help to kill both the larvae and the eggs, as well as prevent further egg laying in that particular spot. 

Contact Pest Control

Sometimes, an infestation is too large or overwhelming to handle alone! If the above methods, such as traps or smells, have not successfully addressed the problem, it is time to call in your local pest control or exterminator service. They will have expert knowledge in dealing with these sorts of issues, and may also have access to certain tools that you do not in order to deal with the pests. 

Read Also – How to Ger Bats Out of Your Garage

Frequently Asked Questions

What kills moths instantly?

If you are dealing with a moth infestation, you probably want to get rid of the insects as soon as you can. One of the ways to kill moths instantly is to use a spray such as the SLA Cedar scented spray. It kills insects like moths, silverfish, and carpet beetles on contact. It also has a fresh cedar scent, rather than an unpleasant chemical scent, so it is a good choice for enclosed or poorly ventilated spaces like a garage. 

How do you get rid of a moth infestation?

There are several ways that you can address and get rid of a moth infestation, whether inside your garage or in your home itself. These include using the scent of cedar and using sticky traps. You should be sure to keep the space clean as a preventative method, too.

How do I keep Miller moths out of my garage?

Miller moths can be a nuisance, especially if they have taken up residence in your garage. Luckily, there are some ways that you can keep them out, and one of them involves scents. Many pests are sensitive to different smells, so you can use essential oils to scent the area and make it inhospitable. Some of the scents that deter Miller moths are cedarwood, clove, eucalyptus, and lavender. 

What causes infestation of moths?

There are a few different factors that can lead to a moth infestation, and it is important to avoid these so that you do not find yourself with a moth problem on your hands. One of these factors is warm, humid environments, because this is when moths mate and lay their eggs. You should take pains to prevent your garage from being at these optimal conditions. For instance, you can install a dehumidifier to cut down on humidity levels.

James from the Privateers Garage
About the author

Lucas is one of the core writers and researchers for the Privateers Garage. He lives in Canada and Arizona and has two Garages. He loves writing about garage living, tech and getting stuff done. He is also a professional musician and sound guy.