The aromatic pantry staple you need in your closet to deter clothes-damaging pests, according to entomologists

It's that time of year again when closet pests such as moths, cockroaches, and silverfish, are rife. But, did you know, the key to deterring them is probably stashed away in your pantry already?

What you need, our pest pros reveal, is bay leaves, for a non-toxic, affordable, all-natural deterrent that also keeps your clothes smelling fresh all season.

Here's why entomologists suggest this clever way to prevent moths in the closet.

Why you should put bay leaves in your closet to deter pests

So, why do bay leaves work to prevent insects that cause holes in clothes?

Jeff Schumacher, owner at All-Safe Pest & Termite, explains, 'They work as a natural pest control method because of their strong scent and the oils they release, such as eucalyptol and cineole.

'These compounds irritate insects, confuse their sense of smell, and can even make food sources harder for them to find. That’s why pests like moths, cockroaches, and silverfish tend to avoid areas where bay leaves are present.'

Additionally, highlights Adham Perriseau, licensed pest management professional and eco solutions specialist at Dr. Killigan's, these compounds also mask food or fabric odors, making the space less attractive to common indoor pests in general.

But, says Ed Dolshun, vice president of business development and tech director at Catchmaster, 'This is going to be more of a mild deterrent than a true fix,' which is important to keep in mind. For example, when dealing with significant infestations, you need to keep an eye out for the signs it's time to call pest control. This is because pros, like those at Orkin, will be able to provide targeted treatments tailored to you.

How to use bay leaves to deter pests in your closet

To try this non-toxic pest control method, advises Ed, the easiest way is to tuck dried bay leaves into small drawstring mesh bags, available at Walmart, or sachets, and hang them in your closet

'Some people also put a drop of bay leaf essential oil on a cotton ball for a stronger effect,' he adds. 'This will need to be refreshed often, since the scent fades quickly.' We recommend the Bay Leaf Essential Oil available at Amazon for this. Using a carrier oil, such as refracted coconut oil can help the essential oil last longer.

Also, says Jeff, 'You can mix a few drops of bay leaf essential oil with water in a spray bottle [such as the Great Value All Purpose Plastic Spray Bottle available at Walmart] and spritz shelves or fabrics.'

Drawbacks of using bay leaves to deter pests in your closet

The main drawbacks here, says Adham, is that the scent of bay leaves will fade fairly quickly, so the leaves or oils will need to be replaced regularly to stay effective.

Additionally, 'Bay leaves only repel pests – they won't kill existing infestations – and in rare cases, dried leaves can become brittle and crumble, creating a bit of mess,' he warns. If this does happen, using your best vacuum, is the quickest and easiest way to clean it up. We recommend the BLACK+DECKER dustbuster QuickClean Cordless Handheld Vacuum available at Amazon.

So, concludes Jeff, 'While they're a great natural option, they won't fully solve a bigger infestation.'

What to shop

All prices were correct at the time of publication.

Meet the experts

Ed Dolshun

Ed is the Catchmaster® brand’s vice president of business development and technical director, and an expert in trapping tips with over 12 years of experience in the pest management industry. In his role, Ed is responsible for both the development of new products and the validation of existing products.

Jeff Schumacher

Jeff is the second-generation family owner of All-Safe Pest & Termite, which was founded in 1984 by his father.

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