Battling the moths: what do you do?

bengal-stripe · Sep 18, 2011

porcelain monkey said:
As for sealing things up in garment bags etc, that is fine as long as there are not eggs on them already - not always a safe assumption. My wife sealed up a bunch of sweaters once and when she opened them up next season, moths literally flew out, and had eaten through several over the summer.

Thorough brushing will help to dislodge eggs. The best way to ensure items are not contaminated before being bagged-up, put them in the deep-freezer for at least 48 hours.

That will kill any insects, larvae or eggs.

stubloom · Sep 18, 2011

Sorry. Will repost when I figure out why the SF link feature is not working.

Threadbearer · Sep 18, 2011

Man Of Lint said:
What do you recommend for those moth species that eat for pleasure or snack?

To say nothing of the ones who eat out of depression or lack of self-esteem.

robinsongreen68 · Sep 18, 2011

i have no affiliation with this company whatever.. but the only product i've found effectively to control the moth population is mottlock moth boxes, you can get them at wholefoods or online. they're amazing.

bengal-stripe · Sep 18, 2011

Threadbearer said:
To say nothing of the ones who eat out of depression or lack of self-esteem.

Counselling might help!

jc4jax · Sep 18, 2011

Dry cleaning before storing really helps. If there is some spill or stain from food, the moths seem to go right there first. You could try fumigating the closet, I remember using a glue board that came with a moth attractant in the pantry that seem to work too well, the board was covered with moths. Bleh

jhcam8 · Sep 18, 2011

I generally use moth balls in drawers and bags and they've worked well for years until I bought some a few years ago that were left an unpleasant odor that took (really) a couple years to air out. Other than that one experience, they've worked well.

Twotone · Sep 18, 2011

My solution is pretty simple -- I live in Denver. No clothes eating moths here. Has anyone tried a cold storage company that stores furs?

If I lived in moth country, I'd pick up a used upright freezer on craigslist. The are usually under $100. Store your clean woolens in garment bags, pop them in the freezer for a week, then into the cedar closet.

Twotone

eHaberdasher · Sep 19, 2011

We use these pheromone traps in our warehouses and they work very well:

http://store.insectslimited.com/SearchResult.aspx?CategoryID=92

Fred H. · Sep 19, 2011

I'm amazed at how frequently this comes up on the various fora. Dry cleaning and cold storage are the only viable options. Moth balls, cedar, etc. simply don't work. Find a good dry cleaner (took me 20 years!) and use them religiously. Bite the bullet or be bitten!

Agatha Crusty · Sep 19, 2011

Fred H. said:
I'm amazed at how frequently this comes up on the various fora. Dry cleaning and cold storage are the only viable options. Moth balls, cedar, etc. simply don't work. Find a good dry cleaner (took me 20 years!) and use them religiously. Bite the bullet or be bitten!

It has to be considered that cold storage is not a viable option for everyone. I mean I have used a deep freeze for individual items before storing, but that's it. And mothballs actually do work, in a sealed bag (in fact even ones not completely sealed) they build up a vapour which kills all moths and larvae, they are fumigants.

Some clothes also don't see enough wear to need dry cleaning, two of my jackets have seen no wear this summer and I don't want to put them through harsh chemical cleaning.

MadAboutPlaid · Sep 19, 2011

stubloom - so I just noticed your avatar picture. I have to tell you - I eat lunch at Corleone's fairly often. I have sat there and looked at your place many times and I had no idea what it was. I thought it was all auto-related stuff back there.

MikeDT · Sep 19, 2011

By not having anything that the moths like to eat.

Fortunately moths are illegal in Neimenggu Province, unlawful possession can attract a lengthy sentence in a forced labour camp.

Fred H. · Sep 20, 2011

Agatha Crusty said:
It has to be considered that cold storage is not a viable option for everyone... Some clothes also don't see enough wear to need dry cleaning, two of my jackets have seen no wear this summer and I don't want to put them through harsh chemical cleaning.

Passions and opinions run deep when it comes to moths. So do inadequate approaches. Dry cleaning and cold storage is my preferred combination. I have too much at stake with my clothes. I pay $45 each for two storage boxes that my dry cleaner picks up and delivers to me. I'm glad to know that my topcoats, suits, jackets, trousers, and sweaters are safe during the off season.

patrickBOOTH · Sep 20, 2011

Will there ever be a time when moth and human can live in harmony?

Battling the moths: what do you do?

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