Five Tried & True Tricks for Preventing Closet Pests

Before you begin the battle, you must know what you are up against. According to Colorado State University, residents may combat closet pests that you may not face prominently in other areas. Rest assured, moths are a problem you will have to deal with.

The most common pests found in Colorado include:

• Ants 
• Black Widow Spiders 
• Earwigs 
• Wasps 
• Cockroaches 
• Mice

Not all of these pests will damage your clothes or other belongings, but they are not exactly welcome guests. Black widow spiders are dangerous and should not be allowed to stay. While not harmful to everyone, Wasps can be hazardous to those with allergies and painful for everyone else if stung.



If you find that your pest problem is severe, call for backup to deal with the problem. If it’s a matter of a few bugs or you haven’t seen any yet, but want to keep them at bay, you can do a few things without resorting to using pesticides.

One of the biggest things you can do to keep pests out of your closets is to make sure everything is clean. Closets tend to get overlooked when it comes time to clean the house. These areas sometimes become a catch-all for junk and clutter. If you don't want to see something, the common mantra is to “stick it in the closet.”

To start, you need to go through your belongings and get rid of all of the items that you do not want any longer. Gently used clothing should go to a donation center. Other items should be disposed of, recycled, or donated.

During your decluttering spree, take time to organize your closets. This way, it is easier for you to find items. Use bins and hooks to keep the clutter to a minimum.

Make sure you vacuum the floors once the clutter is clear. Pests can easily hide in nooks and crannies that you cannot see. If there are any other fabric or carpet surfaces in your closets, make sure you vacuum them as well. Additionally, wipe clean any shelves or drawers to prevent pests from making their way into those hidden spaces.

Fewer things invite bugs into a closet than unclean clothing. While it may be necessary to leave your dirty clothes hamper in the closet, it is best to keep it out. Food particles or even the smell of food can bring in pests. It will not just bring in the creepy crawlies either. Mice are also attracted to the food smells you might have on your clothing. 



Even if you wore the clothing for a couple of hours and they pass the smell test, it is best to go ahead and put them in the washer. Oils from your body can get onto your clothes and attract bugs and mice in the same manner that food particles or heavily soiled clothing might draw them in.

With a clean closet, you can see where pests might be getting in. Holes and cracks can be an entry point for different invaders. Broken seals and missing caulk can be an invitation. Even if the spot does not look large enough to you, it may still be an entry point.

When you see a crack, fill it immediately. Depending on the opening's location, you may be able to use sealant or caulk to block the gap. For certain areas, you may need to use concrete to sufficiently close the holes.



You should also check more than just your closets for holes and cracks. Check the rest of your home for any other hidden entrances for pests. 

With your closets cleaned, organized, and all holes sealed, it is time to focus on making sure there are repellants in place to help keep them out. According to quickenloans.com, there are several natural repellents that you can utilize.

Lavender not only helps to keep bugs out of your home, but it also has a pleasant smell. Lavender repels flies, fleas, beetles, mosquitos, and moths. You can also use lavender essential oils to treat bug bites. It is one of the few essential oils that does not need dilution before use.

There are different ways to use lavender in your closets.

• Make sachets with dried lavender
• Place them in drawers and on shelves
• Sprinkle lavender essential oils around your baseboards
• Make a solution of lavender oil and spray it on clothing

If you want to spray your clothes, test a small patch of cloth first to ensure there are no stains. 

Cedar is another common natural repellant. Using cedar chips or blocks can help deter pests from coming into your closets. Like lavender, cedar has a pleasant smell and can also deodorize your closets while keeping out insects. It helps to prevent mold and mildew from growing as well.



If you choose to use cedar chips or blocks, make sure they do not make contact with your clothing. The natural oils in the wood help keep the bugs out, but they also stain clothes. If you choose chips, put them into a breathable container to contain the oils away from your fabrics.

Cayenne pepper is useful for keeping ants out of your closets. While you might not realize you have some sweet-smelling scents drawing them in, they can sense it better than radar. Cayenne pepper helps to block the ants from knowing there is anything in there to enjoy.

The spice acts as caution tape across the area laid. Ants sense it, and they know it's not an area in which they want to venture. It acts as a sign stating, “no goodies here.”

If you are trying to keep out a wide variety of pests, peppermint oil may be the solution. It repels beetles, fleas, lice, mice, and moths. Most importantly to Colorado residents is its ability to repel ants and spiders, including the dreaded black widow.

The best way to keep pests out with peppermint oil is to put some in areas where you know insects could potentially gather. It might take a few tries to locate the best spot, so don't be deterred if it doesn't work the first time.

When using peppermint essential oils, there are three main ways to do so:



• Soak a cotton ball and place the ball in the designated spot
• Directly apply the oils to the spot
• Dilute the oil with water and spray the perimeter of your custom closets

Pests in your closets are no laughing matter. By cleaning your closets, storing only clean clothes, sealing entrance points, and using natural repellants, you can stop pests in their tracks.

• https://webdoc.agsci.colostate.edu/ipm/Colorado%20Pest%20ID%20Handbook%208-18-15.pdf
• https://www.quickenloans.com/blog/5-diy-natural-insect-repellents-protect-home