Does Citronella Repel Moths? 

Moths are flying insects related to butterflies, but they typically come out at night. If you are entertaining guests, they can be annoying when flying around, but they can also be destructive in the home and garden. You might be wondering how to keep moths away and enjoy your backyard in peace. The good news is, there’s a natural way you can do this: citronella.

Are Moths Destructive?

Moths only see on the ultraviolet end of the spectrum, so they are attracted to outdoor lighting, especially fluorescent and incandescent bulbs that emit in this range. You might want to try replacing these bulbs with yellow bulbs that are specially made for repelling insects. 

 Moths can be annoying outside your home, but it is not necessarily the moth itself that you need to worry about. Moth larva can be destructive when they eat and grow before pupating to become adult moths. 

 Some moths are attracted to natural fabrics like wool and other fibers. The adult moth will lay the eggs in the fabric, and when they hatch, they will begin consuming the fabric and create small holes. In the garden, moth larva loves to eat plant leaves and can destroy your plants quickly.

 The adult moth feeds on nectar from night-blooming plants and will not destroy your plant’s leaves. Some types of moths, like the silk moth, do not eat at all as adults. They only live long enough to lay eggs. It is not the adult moths that you have to worry about, but you know that if there are adults around, the larva are soon to follow, and they can be destructive. That is why it is important to control adult moths. 

How to Use Citronella to Repel Moths

 You can use citronella to repel moths in several ways. You can soak cotton balls with citronella oil and place them around your home in your home. This will also work for keeping them from around your plants outside. Keep in mind that they will need to be replaced from time to time because the citronella oil will dissipate.

 You can also purchase citronella oil for tiki torches to place outside when you are entertaining. Another suggestion for using citronella oil to repel moths is to wipe a bit of citronella oil on the porch lightbulb. This is especially effective if you use yellow light bulbs that are not as likely to attract them in the first place.

Citronella Moth Spray Recipe

You can also use citronella oil to keep moths away by making your own citronella spray and spraying it around your home or entertaining area.

This is easy to do, and all you need to do is purchase citronella oil. You can add 15 drops of citronella oil to an 8-ounce spray bottle. Fill the rest of the bottle with water, and give it a vigorous shake. 

 Continue to stop and shake the bottle occasionally as you are applying it. It is only effective for about two hours, and then you will need to respray it. You will also need to respray it if it rains or you water your garden. Citronella sprays are effective at repelling ants, wasps, ticks, gnats, bees, cockroaches, flies and fleas.

What Smells Do Moths Hate

 Citronella repels moths, but they do not like several other herbs with a strong smell. You can create sachets of herbs and place them around your home. You can also spray essential oils around the outside of your home. Some of the herbs that work to repel moths include: 

• Cedar
• Rosemary
• Thyme
• Cloves
• Lavender
• Bay Leaves

 You can use these herbs alone or combine them with citronella to create a blend. These herbs not only repel moths but will also repel other insects, like fleas, ticks, spiders, and mosquitoes. You will need to replace them when they begin to dissipate or become weak.

 Using essential oils for moths is an excellent way to get rid of them without resorting to harmful chemicals. Many of these oil blends and herbs also have a pleasant scent. They make an excellent alternative indoors, outdoors, and in the yard or garden.