Why this basket
- English Heritage's guidance sets the order: pheromone traps to find where moths are coming from, freezing or a residual spray to kill the larvae, then clean clothes stored sealed. Traps come first because they show where to work, and never alone, because the lures catch only males.
- The Natural History Museum says the larvae do the damage, feeding on the keratin in wool, fur and feathers, while adult moths do not feed at all. So the basket is aimed at larvae and eggs; the traps only show where they are.
- English Heritage says regular vacuuming does more than anything else to stop moths building up, using the crevice tool along carpet edges and under furniture. Your own vacuum does that job, so it is not in the basket.
- Lavender, cedar and old moth balls sit under Skip or Can wait, each with the reason English Heritage gives.
Find them first
Pheromone traps to show where the moths are
Entopest moth monitoring pads (10)
4.3 on Amazon · 2,957 ratings · 1K+ bought last month · #6 in Moth Protection · recorded 27 Sept 2026
English Heritage says pheromone traps are very effective at showing where moths are coming from, but the lures attract only males, so traps alone will not control an infestation. Entopest says the same of these pads: monitoring only, for the common clothes moth. They can be used on their own or in a holder, and each pad is 130 x 60 mm, the listing says.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Pick up plenty of moths where they are active(5 of 8 reviews)
- Good value next to pricier traps(3 of 8 reviews)
Our summary of the 8 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Pack
- pack of 10
- In the box
- Pheromone pads 60 x 130mm
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 4 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 2 of them.
Kill the larvae
Vacuum carpet edges and wardrobe floors first, then empty the vacuum into a sealed bag for the outside bin, as English Heritage advises.
Large freezer bags to freeze infested woollens
Norvens freezer bags, 3 sizes (60)
4.6 on Amazon · 542 ratings · 2K+ bought last month · #7 in Food & Sandwich Bags · recorded 27 Sept 2026
English Heritage calls deep freezing the best way to kill adults, eggs and larvae in clothing: seal each item in a plastic bag, keep it at -18°C for at least two weeks, then leave it bagged for a day so condensation does not form. This pack includes 25 large 6 litre bags, 28.5 x 32 cm, the listing says.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- A useful spread of sizes, and the biggest bags are roomy(4 of 8 reviews)
- Strong bags with zips that seal well(3 of 8 reviews)
- Good value for the number of bags(3 of 8 reviews)
Watch out for
- The zip sliders can come off after repeated use(2 of 8 reviews)
Our summary of the 8 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 31 x 20 x 4 cm
- Material
- Plastic
- Capacity
- 6 litres
- Pack
- pack of 60
- In the box
- Freezer Bags
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 4 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 4 of them, including today.
An insecticide spray for carpet edges and fabrics you cannot freeze
Acana moth killer spray, 275 ml
4.3 on Amazon · 1,658 ratings · 2K+ bought last month · #4 in Moth Protection · recorded 27 Sept 2026
English Heritage says sprays kill larvae only where they touch them, so carpet edges and the areas under furniture need thorough, sometimes repeated, treatment. The Natural History Museum suggests spraying fabrics that cannot be frozen or cleaned. Acana's spray is a licensed insecticide for carpets, curtains and cushions, with transfluthrin, the listing says. Read the label before use.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Fewer moths turn up once it is sprayed regularly(4 of 10 reviews)
- The lavender scent is mild rather than overpowering(3 of 10 reviews)
Our summary of the 10 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Pack
- pack of 275
- In the box
- DG - Acana Fabric Moth Killer LAVENDER 275ml Spray
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 4 days; Amazon showed no discount of 10% or more on any of them.
Store them clean and sealed
Wash or dry clean first: English Heritage says moths prefer soiled fabric.
Vacuum storage bags for clean woollens
GONGSHI vacuum storage bags (12)
4.4 on Amazon · 41,097 ratings · 3K+ bought last month · #2 in Space Saver Bags · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Limited time deal
English Heritage says to store clean clothes in plastic bags, preferably vacuum-sealed ones, or in boxes with lids. This set has three bags each in small, medium, large and jumbo, with a hand pump, the listing says. For clothes still hanging, English Heritage suggests taking them out and shaking them once a month, because moths hate being disturbed.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Roomy bags, with a jumbo size that takes a double duvet(5 of 13 reviews)
- Easy to use with the hand pump and printed instructions(4 of 13 reviews)
- Handy for packing away winter clothes and bedding(2 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- Some bags slowly let air back in(3 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Material
- Plastic
- Pack
- pack of 12
- In the box
- Travel Hand Pump
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 4 days; Amazon showed a discount of 10% or more on 4 of them, including today.
Clip-lock boxes for knitwear, scarves and hats
Cetomo 20 litre clip-lock boxes (3)
4.6 on Amazon · 1,128 ratings · 200+ bought last month · #6 in Lidded Storage Bins · recorded 27 Sept 2026
Boxes with sealed, tight lids are the other storage English Heritage suggests, alongside vacuum bags. These are clear 20 litre plastic boxes with lids held by latches, three to a pack, the listing says, so you can see what is inside without opening them.
What buyers say
Buyers like
- Sturdy boxes that stack neatly(5 of 13 reviews)
- The clips hold the lid firmly shut but are easy to use(4 of 13 reviews)
Watch out for
- One box in a multipack can arrive cracked or missing parts(4 of 13 reviews)
Our summary of the 13 reviews Amazon showed on 27 Sept 2026, counted by us.
More about this pick
- Size
- about 42 x 30 x 25 cm
- Material
- Plastic, Polypropylene
- Capacity
- 20 litres
- Pack
- pack of 3
- In the box
- Box bodies, Lids
From the Amazon listing, recorded 27 Sept 2026. Sizes are the listing's own.
Price: we have checked it on 4 days; Amazon showed no discount of 10% or more on any of them.
Can wait
- Hanging moth killers for the wardrobe. English Heritage says sachets with the insecticide transfluthrin kill adult moths in enclosed spaces. The larvae doing the damage need freezing, cleaning or spraying first.
Skip it
- SkipLavender sachets or cedar balls as the fixEnglish Heritage says they repel adult moths for three months at most and have no effect on larvae inside clothes or carpets.
- SkipOld-style moth ballsEnglish Heritage says many old moth ball formulations are now banned or not recommended.
- SkipA fly spray for the moths you can seeEnglish Heritage says aerosols kill adults, but used alone they will never solve a deep-seated problem, because the larvae hide where the spray cannot reach.
Quick questions
How do I get rid of clothes moths?
Find them, kill the larvae, then store everything clean and sealed. English Heritage suggests pheromone traps to locate them, freezing infested clothes at -18°C for two weeks, a residual spray along carpet edges and regular vacuuming with the crevice tool. Clean items before storing them in vacuum bags or boxes with tight lids. It warns that moth control will not be quick.
Do moth traps get rid of moths?
No, they show you where the moths are. English Heritage says the pheromone lures attract only male moths, so traps will not control an infestation. What's Eating Your Collection adds that only half the population is caught, although catching males can help cut breeding. Use the catches to decide where to vacuum, freeze and spray.
Does freezing clothes kill moths?
Yes, if it is cold enough for long enough. English Heritage says to seal items in plastic bags and keep them at -18°C for at least two weeks, then leave them in the bag for 24 hours afterwards to avoid condensation. The Natural History Museum says heating fabric to 49°C for over 30 minutes also kills every stage, where the care label allows.
Does lavender keep clothes moths away?
Only the adults, and only for a while. English Heritage says lavender and cedar repel adult moths, last three months at most and work best in enclosed spaces, but have no effect on larvae already inside clothes or carpets. Clean, freeze or spray first, then store sealed.
Where do clothes moths hide?
In dark places nobody disturbs. English Heritage says to look in creases, under collars, in pockets and turn-ups, under rugs and heavy furniture, and at the edges of fitted carpets. Stained fabric is attacked more than clean fabric. Check wool underlay, upholstery with wool or horsehair, feather cushions, and old bird nests in the eaves or chimney.
Sources: English Heritage: Clothes moths, prevention and control (PDF) (checked 27 September 2026); English Heritage: Understanding clothes moth infestations (checked 27 September 2026); Natural History Museum: Clothes moths identification guide (checked 27 September 2026); What's Eating Your Collection?: Pheromone traps (checked 27 September 2026).
