What is everyone doin to keep moths at bay?

**gKeith** · 9th May 13, 03:13 PM

Originally Posted by Canuck

If you have room in your chest freezer, store your kilts in there. The moth larvae doesn't like the cold.

I second the freezer issue. I have some wool items that I roll up, toss him in a freezer bag, and throw them in the freezer. Works wonders with kilts, too, from everybody I've talked to about this and will NOT DAMAGE YOUR KILT!

**TheOfficialBren** · 9th May 13, 04:28 PM

What if it's one of these?

I believe that this is called a "sphynx moth."

I encountered this sonuvagun at my sister's home the other night. HUGE bugger (pardon the pun)!!! He was highly aggressive and territorial. It took a few gentle and humane nudges with a stick to get him off of that doorknob.

**Dale Seago** · 9th May 13, 05:40 PM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

What if it's one of these?

I believe that this is called a "sphynx moth."

I encountered this sonuvagun at my sister's home the other night. HUGE bugger (pardon the pun)!!! He was highly aggressive and territorial. It took a few gentle and humane nudges with a stick to get him off of that doorknob.

Those are known mainly for damaging agricultural crops. The big ones are for our puroses nothing to be concerned about, unless perhaps it's this guy here:

**TheOfficialBren** · 9th May 13, 05:47 PM

I was wondering when Mothra was going to be referenced!

I was intrigued by how hairy this moth was and how large his eyes were! He had an unusual amount of focus and presence for an insect, a bit more of that spark of life than most bugs have.
I humanely removed him from the door but his determination (and grip) were instantly evident.
I am derailing a bit, I know, but this particular animal earned my respect quickly. He will be a worthy adversary in the wild.

**chemist93** · 11th May 13, 09:35 AM

To add a note on cedar blocks, when there's no smell, take sandpaper to it. Remove the dried surface. Some shops use a cedar oil spray, and of course the paradichlorobenzene cakes.

**Pipersson** · 12th May 13, 08:30 AM

Does it help if the fabric is teflon coated?
Gives it any protection against moths?

**unixken** · 12th May 13, 09:52 AM

Originally Posted by TheOfficialBren

What if it's one of these?

I believe that this is called a "sphynx moth."

Ironically, I think that would make one hell of a KILT PIN!

**Farquhar** · 22nd May 13, 08:59 PM

I don't have my kilt just yet (hoping to have it by the end of July at the latest), but I plan to use the same method I use for storing my wool jacket; a cedar "ring" that slips onto the hanger ( I have one both on the outside and on the inside of the garment bag), a cedar block placed at the bottom of the bag as well as a few randomly palced cedar blocks and satchels in the closet. It may be a bit excessive, but I figured it's better to be safe.

**Dale Seago** · 12th June 13, 12:00 PM

While freezing one's kilts has been mentioned, what if you don't have enough space in your freezer?

Well, I just ran across a related alternative I'd never heard of before: cryofumigation. Seal your kilts or other items in plastic bags containing dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) for 3-5 days. The garments are thus bathed in carbon dioxide gas, denied oxygen, and it kills moths at all stages from egg to adult.

**artificer** · 12th June 13, 12:08 PM

Originally Posted by Dale Seago

While freezing one's kilts has been mentioned, what if you don't have enough space in your freezer?

Well, I just ran across a related alternative I'd never heard of before: cryofumigation. Seal your kilts or other items in plastic bags containing dry ice (frozen carbon dioxide) for 3-5 days. The garments are thus bathed in carbon dioxide gas, denied oxygen, and it kills moths at all stages from egg to adult.

Cool idea, but presumably you need to keep the dry ice from coming in contact with your kilt, right? I'd worry about the extreme cold of DIRECT contact with the dry ice damaging the material.