Do Wicker Baskets Attract Moths?

In this article, our team at Northern Willow explores whether wicker baskets attract moths and if so, how we can prevent moths from ruining them. So, let’s jump straight into the big question, do wicker baskets actually attract moths. 

Unfortunately, the answer to this question is usually yes. Clothes moths can be attracted to wicker baskets because they can chew through it during their larval stage. However, there’s no need to despair as we’ll highlight some of the best ways to ensure that your wicker baskets remain moth free. 

Keep reading to learn more about why moths are attracted to this material and how to prevent them from chewing your wicker baskets. 

Are Moths Attracted To Wicker Baskets? 

Yes. In the larval stage, clothes moths can be attracted to wicker baskets because they can chew through it. They can also be attracted to paper, cardboard and hemp for the same reason. Pantry moths, otherwise known as Indian Meal moths or Grain moths, often infest areas where dry food goods are stored. 

However, it's not all bad news as there are many ways to prevent moths from ruining your wicker baskets. Please also remember that not everybody will experience moth issues. 

Other Things Moths Are Attracted To? 

It might be useful to learn what other things moths are attracted to. These include:

Animal fibres - Clothes moth larvae prefer animal fibres like wool, silk, cashmere, fur, and leather. They can also damage plant fibres like cotton, hemp, and jute.

Dry goods - Pantry moth larvae like dry food like flour, cereal, rice, grain, and dog food.

Quiet areas - Moths may be more likely to inhabit homes when people are away on vacation, or in new construction or renovation projects. 

How To Prevent Moths From Chewing Your Wicker Baskets

So, moving onto the most important question of how to prevent moths from ruining your wicker baskets. Luckily, there are plenty of methods you can take to stop moths from chewing your belongings, including: 

Cleaning 

It’s important to remove food sources for moths by keeping your space clean and organised. This includes hoovering regularly, especially in dark corners and crawl spaces, to remove dust and eggs. Another great way to deter moths is to launder and dry clean clothes often as they tend to prefer dirty clothes. 

Store Properly 

Whilst you can use our wicker baskets to store certain food items, we would recommend that you avoid storing loose grains, flour or pasta in them. For these types of items, use storage bags or airtight containers so that the food remains safe. 

Use Repellents

Using natural repellents is one of the best ways to deter moths from your wicker baskets and luckily, you’ll most likely have many of these ingredients already! 

Below, we highlight some of the most common natural moth repellents:

• Cedar oil
• Lavender
• Rosemary
• Lemon
• Bergamot
• Sage
• Mint

You could try filling your home with cedar as moths are repelled by the pheromones in this material. You could also combine dried, crushed and powdered herbs. Combine lavender, bay leaves, cloves, rosemary and thyme in a bag and place it in or near your wicker baskets. This should prevent moths from damaging them. If you have a diffuser at home, you could also try using essential oils such as lavender, rosemary and lemon to repel any moths you might have. You can also buy anti-moth paper and place it underneath the cotton lining of your wicker basket. 

Use Traps 

Moth traps use sticky flypaper covered with moth pheromones to attract and trap adult moths before they can reproduce. There are also pheromone traps that lure male moths to prevent females from laying eggs. 

Final Thoughts

While most species of moth aren’t ever going to be interested in your home, a few species are common fixtures in closets, food pantries or just generally throughout the home. Whilst moths are not the most harmful pest you can find in your home, they can cause plenty of damage to clothes, food and belongings. 

But, try not to worry, as there are plenty of ways to get rid of moths and stop them from damaging your wicker baskets. We hope this article has helped you gain a little peace of mind if you’re experiencing moth issues. 

Wicker Baskets At Northern Willow 

At Northern Willow, we’re a small family-run business dedicated to delivering timeless baskets and home accessories to customers in the UK. Take a look at our vast range of handmade wicker baskets. From kitchen storage to elegant bathroom baskets, we offer a wide variety of wicker baskets to suit all tastes and styles. 

Shop our gorgeous wicker baskets today!