How can I protect my stash from moths?

[piemashandliquer]

I am building up quite a collection of yarns, some of them a bit on the expensive side, but wont be using them for a while. I've noticed we've had moths in our living room and one or two upstairs in DDs bedroom, but none in ours. I keep the wool in a cloth bag in my wardrobe.

How do I store the wool to stop moths from eating it? I saw some good plastic boxes in town today, but they had some air holes which presumably moths can get through. Do those vacuum bags work?

Also, what moth replellent should I use? I don't want to use any horrible chemicals that might do us harm. I've sprayed some lavender about but have no idea if that does anything.

Anyone had to tackle this?

Do not keep in plastic bags with openings or natural fibre bags.

But, honest answer? Ask someone else to store them, and treat affected rooms.

Have a look at this. It's not a new article, but probably not much changes

thanks for your replies. Why are plastic bags a bad idea? Would it help if I used those vacuum bag things? or what about a plastic box without any air holes?

I will sort the initial moth problem out, thanks for the article Dutchoma.

You could try storing your yarn with cedarwood mothballs or sprigs of rosemary. There are other natural solutions like lavender sachets. There's quite a selection in Lakeland.

Maybe you can work out where the moths are coming from? They like dark undisturbed places.

Plastic bags are fine. I have bought a pack of large ziplock ones from eBay. Then I store these in large plastic boxes with lids which stack well.

ThatBloodyWoman said not to store them in plastic bags with openings, closed plastic bags should be fine

Yes, for example, the bags put over clothes when they come back from the dry cleaners -good breeding grounds.

Cedar may be good as a deterrent, and lavender, but aren't a guarantee by any means.It doesn't hurt a bit to try it though!

I use the ikea ziplock bags and have a set of stacking really useful boxes.

(My stash is too big)

Thanks ll for your tips, have cleaned house top to toe today and got some pheromone traps. Have also put stash and lavender in a plastic box with lid.

I have expensive sable brushes to protect. Moths love sable. I have kept them in wooden boxes . One was given as a present which contained small jars of pickles, another had contained whiskey. In other words the right size to do the job.