Is Your Closet a Buffet? Learn 5 Natural Ways to Repel Moths & Silverfish
- Isabella Boston
- 1 day ago
- 5 min read
Updated: 10 hours ago
How to Repel Moths & Silverfish Away Naturally!
My home was built in the 1940s, so it's no wonder I might occasionally have a moth or a silverfish as an unwanted guest. I am not a big fan of insects; in fact, I am terrified of them.
And the thought of them hiding in my wardrobe is extremely unpleasant to say the least.
What are moths and silverfish, you might ask?
Moths are flying insects, similar to butterflies, whose eggs hatch into hungry larvae ready to feast on your clothes. They spend days eating before forming a cocoon and completing their life cycle.
Moths love keratin and gorge themselves on animal fibers such as silk, wool, cashmere, feathers, leather, and angora. However, they are also happy to eat other natural fibers, such as cotton and linen.
And, when nothing else is around, they will also eat synthetics.
Some signs of moth activity include damaged material, cast larval skins, and sand-like larval droppings.
So the next time you reach for that beautiful silk blouse you were saving for a special occasion, and you notice a hole in it, it was most likely a moth.
It is also worth mentioning that moths are attracted to clothing with traces of perfume, perspiration, and body oils. So it is important to wash all your precious garments before storing them away.
But moths are not the only culprit feasting on your nice wardrobe.
There are also silverfish.
I was surprised to learn that silverfish also damage clothes. This probably explains the holes in my favorite black cardigan. None of my other garments were damaged, and I hadn't seen any moths, yet my cardigan had several mysterious holes.
Silverfish are little grey wingless, crustacean-looking insects (they are harmless, but they give me the creeps). You might have noticed them on the ceilings in your home or lurking in a crevice within the wall.
They are nocturnal (they come out at night) and can grow to just under 1.5 cm in length. They feed off starch, sugar, and protein. But linen, cotton, viscose, rayon, and silk are all on the menu, too!
Other things silverfish can damage around the home are cereals, moist wheat flour, and paper with glue, such as wallpaper or book bindings.
They will even consume photos, coffee, hair, and dandruff!
What Do Moth Holes Look Like?
According to Mothexterminator.co.uk, you should look for the following:
Irregular holes in fabrics: They are caused by the larvae feeding on keratin, the protein found in animal fibres.
Bald patches or thinning fabric: Look for areas where the fibres are noticeably missing or sparse, particularly on carpets, rugs (especially in corners or under heavy furniture), or upholstered furniture.
Silvery-looking silken webs: Fine, sticky webbing found across the surface of cloth-based items. These webs are part of the larvae’s feeding tunnels or cases, giving the clothes moth the nickname ‘webbing moth.’"
What Do Silverfish Holes Look Like?
According to Perthpest.com.au, silverfish will damage the pages and covers of books (see top left photo above). They will also eat the organic compounds on the surfaces of old photos.
Both moths and silverfish like dark, dusty, damp, and humid environments.
So, this might be a good time to do some spring cleaning: open everything up, let the sunshine in, and give your clothing a good airing out. You should shake your clothes periodically to disturb any pests inside.
This is also a good time to sort through your clothing and donate things you no longer need or wear.
Vacuum your spaces thoroughly and be sure to get under hard-to-reach areas, such as underneath furniture.
Wash and dry-clean clothing before putting them back into your closet.
Doing this regularly can help to keep your living space free of pests, critters, and bugs.
But what else can you do?
Some people use mothballs as a deterrent against many pests; however, I do not like them because they are loaded with chemicals that are harmful to your health and the environment.
Not to mention, they leave you smelling like you live in an old musky attic.
So, I did some research on how to keep moths and silverfish away from your clothes, and here are five natural tips I found:
Tip #1 - Use Cedarwood
Cedarwood chips, blocks, or essential oils are highly effective at repelling silverfish and moths. It is best to use them in enclosed spaces such as closets and drawers, and they can be refreshed with oil. In addition, cedarwood can kill moth larvae, unlike other repellants.
Tip #2 - Lavender & Neem Oil
A combination of lavender and neem oil is widely considered the best natural moth repellent. Lavender repels the adults, while Neem oil properties can inhibit larval growth.
To repel pests in your wardrobe, hang sachets or fresheners to allow airflow, whereas liners are superior for folded items like sweaters and linens.
"Lavender has been used for centuries for its bug-repelling properties...it has terpene compounds that are said to keep moths away." - Hannah Yokoji of The Laundress
Tip #3 - Diatomaceous Earth (DE) or CimeXa
DE is a food-grade powder that kills insects by dehydrating them. When placed in cracks and crevices, it is safe for children and pets.
An alternative, and even better option, is CimeXa. This is a highly effective, engineered insecticide dust. I treated my entire apartment with this powder. It will kill all insects, including fleas, ticks, bed bugs, and roaches.
It, too, is safe to use around children and pets. And it is not a repellent, which is why it is so effective. Insects don't know they are walking to their impending death.
I used an old makeup brush and dusted around the entire circumference of my apartment, working it into all the cracks and crevices. I even dusted inside the light fixtures.
This powder stays active for ten years when left undisturbed.
Tip #4 - Dried Herbs & Spices
Place rosemary, bay leaves, and whole cloves into pantries or closets to deter insects.
Tip #5 - Essential Oil Sprays
Lastly, use a mixture of essential oils (lavender, peppermint, cedarwood, eucalyptus) to spray around baseboards, cupboards, and in corners to repel silverfish and moths.
Closing Statement
Moths and silverfish can be a nuisance and ruin your clothing, books, photos, and other valuable possessions. But by experimenting with the five natural repellents in this blog, you can protect stored clothing, fabrics, and your wardrobe from any future damage.
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Citations & Sources
Naomi. (2022, August 1). How to make a natural moth & silverfish repellent. Megan Nielsen Patterns Blog. https://blog.megannielsen.com/2020/08/how-to-make-natural-moth-silverfish-repellent/
How to get rid of Silverfish naturally - tips & methods. Pest Ex - Pest control company. (2026, March 23). https://www.pest-ex.com.au/blog/how-to-get-rid-of-silverfish-naturally/
Walker-Jones, A. (2025, December 3). Top 7 natural moth repellent solutions: What works best?. Clothes Doctor. https://clothes-doctor.com/blogs/moth-protection/top-7-natural-moth-repellent-solutions-what-works-best?srsltid=AfmBOopLzj-QqLbRs8fHYEosGpc2keH5mLY6a1qRvrWKti_ErdHPovBn
Common signs of moth damage. Moth Exterminator. (2025, October 27). https://mothexterminator.co.uk/common-signs-of-moth-damage/
Chrisreeves. (2016, February 8). Silverfish: Clothes moths: Carpet beetles. Perth Pest Control. https://www.perthpest.com.au/types-of-pests/fabric-pests/
The ultimate guide to natural moth repellent: Protecting your wardrobe. The Master Herbalist. (2026, April 17). https://www.themasterherbalist.co.uk/blogs/herbal-home-living/natural-moth-repellent-guide-uk#:~:text=For%20instance%2C%20a%20study%20published,clothes%20moth)%20in%20controlled%20bioassays.
Author’s Bio
Isabella Boston is a wordsmith and the creator of Bella’s Attic Studio®: A multi-media writing platform and storytelling blog specializing in copywriting, marketing, and content writing.
She is well-versed in medical terminology and scientific research with a focus on neuroscience, immunology, and functional health. She is also a diarist, creative nonfiction writer, and self-published author.
Aside from being a writer, Isabella is a book & vintage-fashion lover, a language enthusiast, and, most importantly, a woman of God in Christ Jesus.
"Together we can share your stories, promote your cause, and connect you to your target audience one word at a time."
