Non-Toxic Moth Traps

There is no insecticide in them, and the manufacturers describe them as non-toxic. The lure is a pheromone that imitates the female moth, and the catch is held on an adhesive board, so there is no active substance and nothing sprayed into the room. That makes them the option to reach for around food cupboards and children's rooms, and the sensible first step before any spray.

The lure imitates the scent of a female moth, drawing adult males onto the sticky board. Taking those males out reduces the number available to mate, which disrupts breeding and brings the population down over the following weeks. It also tells you whether moths are active, which room they are in and roughly how many. Read our honest answer on whether moth traps work.

Not on its own. The trap works on the adults, but adult moths do not eat fabric or food - the larvae do, and no trap reaches them. Use it to bring the adults down and to show you where the problem is concentrated, then wash or freeze affected garments, or find and bin the infested packet of dry goods, and clean out the storage space itself.

Yes. Pheromone lures are species-specific, so a clothes moth lure will not draw pantry moths and the reverse is equally true. Holes in wool, cashmere, silk or carpet means clothes moth traps; webbing or larvae in flour, cereal, rice or dried fruit means pantry moth traps.

Inside the enclosed space with the problem, close to the fabric or the dry goods rather than by the door - wardrobes, drawers, under-bed storage, or the pantry shelf. Keep them clear of draughts, vents and extractor fans, which carry the lure away, and use a separate trap for each cupboard rather than one for a whole room.

A lure lasts several months, with the exact figure stated on the pack - follow that and note the date you opened it. Replace sooner if the board fills or gets dusty. Keep spares sealed in the wrapper until you need them, because the lure starts working the moment it is opened.

The traps are non-toxic and there is nothing to swallow. The adhesive is sticky enough to be a nuisance on fur or fingers, so site traps inside wardrobes, drawers and cupboards and out of reach. Use as directed.