I have MOTHS!

[Tobus]

I'm reviving this semi-retired thread because I've discovered (to my horror) that I have moths too. I've never had this problem before. But suddenly I'm noticing holes in my wool items in 2 separate closets.

I intend on buying some moth balls or whatever I can find at the store, but what do I do with them? Is it sufficient to put 'em in a small closet, or must they go in smaller sealed containers with the garments I'm trying to protect? In other words, will the smell of moth balls keep moths out of the closet?

Also, how can you tell if you still have moth larvae in your garments? Are they big enough to see? And if so, what do they look like?

[Pleater]

Moth larvae can be seen, they are white grubs with dark heads - they tend to get into the most hidden spots though - they do not like the light. They also create little dwellings of fibre for themselves so they are both disguised and secure. They can be disloged with a pin and squashed - do not squash them on the clothes. Do not iron moth infested clothes - blaugh!!!!

Wool needs to be kept clean - sponge over the apron after you have worn kilts where you ate or drank - do not rub just dab the wet sponge onto the fabric so it is damp and then dry it off with anything absorbent - you might be surprised at how many dirty spots are picked up.

Likewise treat jacket cuffs and fronts, and the collar, so they are kept clean.

It is advisable to take out all the items from your wardrobes from time to time, unfold and inspect them, give them a shake - just in case - and keep valuable items in a cover or bag. That also means that if you put mothballs into the wardrobe the smell isn't overpowering on the clothes, and it should soon disipate.

If you find damage from moths or other insects a quick way to exterminate them is to double bag the garments and put them into the freezer.

Anne the Pleater :ootd:

[MacLowlife]

I have found it useful to read the cubic footage allowances on mothball packages. A sealed closet will work as a fumigation chamber if you concentrate the fumes sufficiently. Cleaning and brushing are great ways to contend with moths, as is thorough vacuuming- like under sofas, etc.

Moths may not be inevitable, but wise people prepare for them as if they were. Save any extra fabric, yarn, etc. in case you need to reweave. I like seeing a moth repair now and then, especially on someone else. It shows the owner likes the garment well enough to wear it past its initial damage.

Lay not up treasures for yourselves on earth, where moth and rust can consume... (Matthew 6:19)

[Bugbear]

I blame the moths all on Linny and Squiggy from that TV show.

[Rex_Tremende]

When I moved into my last house, the farm, we discovered all sorts of insects were already in residence and were loath to leave. Our dogs were miserable because no matter what we did for for them specifically, fleas kept returning.

A friend recommended bombing the house with XO-Trol. We used one on each floor, including the basement and attic, and also used a fan to increase the pressure in the house so that the fog would find its way into the cracks.

I swear, nothing smaller than our cat survived in that house for over a year. Ladybugs collapsed into heaps at their annual infestation, and not a single cobweb was to be found. It was the most effective critter control I've ever seen.

Of course, I will probably end up with some horrid neurological disorder as a consequence, but at least the dogs were happy.

Regards,
Rex.

[Bugbear]

Bacillus thuringiensis might be effective aginst clothing moths, not sure. I'm also not sure how that would be applied to the clothing...

However, it would be a non-toxic, non-smell approach if the details could be worked out.

Crop dust your closet, maybe...

[ChubRock]

if you choose to bomb make sure you kill all open flames. Stove pilot light, furnace and water heater flames will blow up your house and moths will be your the least of your concerns.

http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/6575082.html

[joecool]

if you choose to bomb make sure you kill all open flames. Stove pilot light, furnace and water heater flames will blow up your house and moths will be your the least of your concerns.

http://www.wrdw.com/home/headlines/6575082.html

But, on the bright side, that would probably take care of your moth problem!

[Tobus]

But, on the bright side, that would probably take care of your moth problem!

Maybe not.

The term "like moths to an open flame" comes to mind.

[Pleater]

And I think I have problems with people not reading the instructions - earlier this week (when I was still feeling ill) I was getting phone calls all day from someone new to machine knitting, telling me her machine wasn't working - in the end I drove to her house and flicked the two levers which she had neglected to move into the right place.

I had asked earlier if the side levers were back and she said that they were - so I charged her 15 pounds and came home.

Igniting the fumes from a bug bomb though - that is a good one.

Was it Azimov who wrote 'Against stupidity the gods themselves contend in vain.'?

Anne the Pleater :ootd: