Herbs against moths

words by Angela Jones

I have a friend who believes in quality over quantity when it comes to fashionable clothes so she was mortified to find that her only cashmere sweater had been got at by the moths.

The Common Clothes Moth (Tineola bisselliella) is only 7mm in size and is a boring grey beige but enjoys some very expensive meals from February to September as it can be found indoors munching on our precious fabrics.

You can treat the problem with an over the counter chemical but prevention is better than a cure and there are herbs that can deter moths.

I have memories of childhood that still make me shudder, great aunts greeting me with a hug and enveloping me in the overpowering aroma of moth balls (naphthalene), nearly knocking me out.  

I put a bowl of dried lavender in the bottom of my wardrobe to keep the little blighters away, moths I mean, the great aunts sadly passed years ago.

I also add dried southernwood when I can pick enough to dry. It so much better than smelling like Methuselah’s great aunt.

Moth repellent sachets

Here’s a recipe of dried herbs from Richard Mabey to keep cupboard and drawers protected:

3 tablespoons southernwood
2 tablespoons mugwort
1 tablespoon rosemary leaves
1 tablespoon chamomile flowers
1 tablespoon thyme
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon grated nutmeg
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon orris root powder
Oil of cloves, or lavender, or lemon oil

Crumble the dried herbs into a bowl. Add the spices, salt and orris root. Stir and then decant into a screw-topped jar. Store away from the light for two weeks. During this time, prep some muslin or cotton bags. When ready, shake oil onto the herbs to scent them quite strongly, then fill the bags and tie or stitch the opening.