Yikes!! Moths in my Kilt Kloset!!

[ForresterModern]

While prepping outfits with the WIFE this morning for the Kentucky Derby and Kentucky Oaks day races coming in two weeks, we noticed a number of adult moths in the bedroom and associated kilt kloset, prompting me to immediately open up several more cedar and lavendar scent blocks as well as a few real moth ball hangers. Unfortunately I don't wish to smell like moth balls for the races, and I am still worried that they may already have laid their eggs, meaning that it may be too late for mothballs, cedar and lavendar. I will dryclean the stuff I plan to wear to the races, easy enough (two kilts and two jacket/waistcoat sets), but what to do for the remainder of the closet's contents---14 more kilts and three more jacket/waistcoat combos, plus innumerable other wool hats and hose, etc....? No obvious damage so far at first brief review of inventory, but don't want to worry for the next few months when and where the holes are going to start opening up.

Suggestions?

jeff

[JSFMACLJR]

Hand wash your socks.
Put everything in a deep freezer, if you have one, for a week or so. That will effectively kill any larvae or eggs that might be there.

I find moths here in KY to be a REAL NUISANCE!!! Lst year they were especially mean to a number of cashmere sweaters.

[ForresterModern]

Another thought hit me so I checked one last thing in the closet, and found the moth source---a full mask dress sporran red fox by Toby MacGregor Sporrans, totally eaten away face and spots on the fur, and a dozen or so moths visible as soon as I opened up the box it came in and was stored in. So double dose of bad news--- ruined high end sporran AND moths. At least I found the source, but still need to know how to treat the rest of the inventory to keep them from following suit with the sporran. The whole room and closet now reek of cedar and mothballs.

[CMcG]

ForresterModern, that is absolutely awful and you have my sincere condolences.

I would vacuum the infected area thoroughly and then dispose of the dustbag immediately. Inspect all your clothes carefully and destroy moths, eggs, or larvae that are visible to the naked eye. Follow up with extreme temperature for ALL you kit: 30 minutes in the dryer on highest heat or 5 days in the deep freeze.

[EagleJCS]

Jeff,

That's terrible news about the moths, and the sporran in particular. I have a virtually empty chest freezer - just a few freezer packs in it at the moment - if you want to make use of it. It's got 9 cubic feet of space. Just bring your stuff over - LMK.

[Cowher]

ForresterModern, that is absolutely awful and you have my sincere condolences.

I would vacuum the infected area thoroughly and then dispose of the dustbag immediately. Inspect all your clothes carefully and destroy moths, eggs, or larvae that are visible to the naked eye. Follow up with extreme temperature for ALL you kit: 30 minutes in the dryer on highest heat or 5 days in the deep freeze.

I second the heat or freeze methods. But do it quickly!!! I recently lost a kilt to those little buggers. And it was only stored for 7 months. Admittedly I had no protection from them. stinking little buggers

[mookien]

Jeff: Terrible news! I'm sorry to read about it. Good luck getting rid of the little blighters. The freezer trick should kill any eggs.

When you have won the moth war and the dust settles, please write a post mortem and give us the benefit of your experience and advice, so we can avoid, or at least minimize, any similar damage to our woolen clothing. Thanks.

John

[Bugbear]

Can borax be used when washing a kilt?
Seems to be used to keep moths from eating wool insulation...

[AKScott]

Forrester, get those puppies in a freezer stat. Dry clean at leisure after several days in the cooler.

[McClef]

I always cringe when I read about moths attacking kilts - bring back memories of what happened to my first kilt!