Moth Killer Sprays

Our sprays are effective against clothes moths, pantry moths, and other common household species. Always check the label for specific coverage. The thing to understand is that a spray is aimed at the larvae and the places they live, not at the adults flying around the room, because the adults do no damage.

On the surfaces the larvae are on, not into the air. For clothes moths that means the emptied wardrobe or drawer - back panel, corners, joins and the undersides of shelves - plus carpet edges and the floor beneath heavy furniture. Take the contents out first, wash or freeze anything affected, treat the empty space, and let it dry before putting things back.

Some are formulated for fabrics and soft furnishings and some are not, so check the label before spraying anything you care about. Where a product does allow it, spot-test on a hidden seam or hem, let it dry, and check for marking before treating the whole garment.

Ventilate the room while you spray and afterwards, keep children and pets out until treated surfaces are dry, and avoid spraying near food, food preparation surfaces or fish tanks. Wear gloves where the label calls for them, and do not treat bedding or anything worn against skin unless the label specifically allows it. Follow the label directions in every case.

Follow the label. A knockdown product acts fast on what it is applied to and needs topping up if activity returns; a residual or IGR product is meant to stay on the surface for longer and works as part of a programme rather than a one-off. Re-treat after cleaning a treated surface, since washing takes the deposit off. Read our guide to knockdown, residual and IGR treatments.

Only where the label says so, and never in contact with food or food preparation surfaces. Empty the cupboard, bin the infested packets, wipe it out, then treat if the label permits and let it dry fully before restocking. With pantry moths the packet is usually the whole problem - use pantry moth traps afterwards to confirm activity has stopped.

Two symptoms with different causes. Adults reappearing within days usually means the source was never treated - a garment, a carpet edge or a packet still holding larvae. Activity returning several weeks later, after everything looked clear, usually means eggs that survived the first pass have hatched, which is what residual and IGR products are for. Leave a trap running either way, so you can tell the two apart.