We Tested 5 Popular Ways to Get Rid of Moths (And Found One That Actually Works)

by Fred Bell June 5, 2025 Home & Garden

If you’ve ever opened your pantry or closet and found tiny moths flying out—or worse, noticed holes in clothes or webs in your food—you know how frustrating these pests can be. Moths don’t just fly around annoyingly; they lay eggs in quiet corners, and their larvae do all the damage.

We were tired of finding ruined clothes and spoiled food, so we decided to test five of the most popular moth control methods. Some worked okay for a while, others created more mess than results—and one worked like a charm without any effort on our part.

Method #1: Mothballs

How it works: Traditional mothballs release chemical fumes that repel or kill moths. People often place them in closets or storage containers with clothing or linens.

Our experience: The smell was strong—too strong. While they helped keep moths away, the odor lingered for weeks and left clothes smelling awful. Plus, we didn’t love the idea of breathing in chemicals daily.

Final verdict: Works, but the smell and fumes are a big downside.

Method #2: Cedar Blocks or Sachets

How it works: Cedar naturally repels moths with its scent. You can use blocks, balls, or oil sachets in closets and drawers to keep moths from nesting in fabrics.

Our experience: The cedar smell was pleasant, but subtle. We noticed fewer moths, but it didn’t solve the problem entirely. Moths still found other places to hide.

Final verdict: A good preventive step, but not strong enough on its own.

Method #3: Pantry Moth Traps

How it works: These sticky traps use pheromones to attract adult moths, especially the kind that infest dry goods like cereal, flour, or rice.

Our experience: These definitely caught moths—sometimes a lot of them. But they only work for a specific type (pantry moths) and don’t affect larvae or stop moths from laying new eggs elsewhere.

Final verdict: Helpful, especially in pantries, but limited in scope.

Method #4: Electric Zappers

How it works: These devices attract moths and other flying insects with UV light, then zap them on contact. They’re popular in kitchens, garages, and entryways.

Our experience: They worked great near windows and light sources where moths gathered. We liked that they gave visible results. But like traps, they only target moths that come near them and don't cover the whole area.

Final verdict: Useful in combination with other tools.

Method #5: Ultrasonic Moth Repellers

How it works: These plug-in devices emit high-frequency sound waves that are completely silent to people and pets—but extremely irritating to moths. The sound interferes with how they navigate and nest, making your space feel unwelcoming.

Our experience: We plugged one in near the pantry and another in the closet. Within a few days, moth activity dropped sharply. No mess, no odor, and no effort. It kept working quietly in the background—and we haven’t seen any signs of new damage since.

Final verdict: Simple, clean, and very effective. Great long-term solution.

Our Top Pick for Getting Rid of Moths Indoors

After trying every popular method, the one that impressed us the most was ZeroZap Sonic.

This plug-in ultrasonic repeller sends out high-frequency sound that moths hate. It quietly protects your pantry, closet, or storage areas without using chemicals, scents, or sticky traps. Once the environment becomes uncomfortable, moths stop nesting—and stop coming back.

Why We Recommend ZeroZap Sonic

1. Ultrasonic Sound Technology – Makes your space feel unsafe to moths without affecting you.
2. No Smells or Chemicals – Perfect for food storage areas and clothes closets.
3. Safe and Silent – You won’t hear a thing. Pets won’t be bothered either.
4. Set-It-and-Forget-It – Just plug it in and let it run 24/7.
5. Trusted by Homeowners – Loved by people who want a no-fuss solution to keep bugs away.

Final Thoughts: A Cleaner Way to Keep Moths Out

Moths are sneaky. Whether they’re chewing through clothes or sneaking into your dry goods, they’re hard to catch and even harder to keep out—unless you make your space uncomfortable for them to begin with.

ZeroZap Sonic is the smartest way we’ve found to do that. It runs silently in the background, keeps moths away without chemicals, and protects your home before damage can start.

1. Repels moths using high-frequency sound
2. Safe for use around food and fabrics
3. No cleanup, chemicals, or refills
4. Ideal for closets, pantries, and storage spaces
5. Easy, effective, and long-lasting

If moths have been causing quiet chaos in your home, ZeroZap Sonic might be the clean, simple solution you’ve been looking for.