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Housekeeping

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Original poster

aargh moths! Help

19 replies

ConnorTraceptive · 05/08/2010 17:24

I'm pretty certain we have a moth problem although they only seem intent on destroying my clothes

I've completely emptied m wardrobe washed every item of clothing and hoovered and cleeaned. I don't want to use chemical mothballs. I just bought a pack, opened them and they stank then I read all the warnings on the back and have terrified myself that I've exposed us although to hideous chemicals!

What can I use instead as a deterrant and where do I get it?

TIA

OP posts:
solo · 05/08/2010 22:27

Cedar wood discs or balls. I got mine some years ago in Asda I think.

solo · 05/08/2010 22:28

My moth problem saw my dining room carpet disappear up into the Dyson

Original poster
ConnorTraceptive · 06/08/2010 10:14

Thanks I will try and get hold of some. I've been blaming the washing machine for ages. I'm so cross at all the holes!!!

OP posts:
solo · 06/08/2010 14:20

They are very hard to get rid of IME. I had them for two or three spring/summers. They are horrible. Hope you get it sorted soon.

hellymelly · 06/08/2010 14:22

I have lots of the blighters.I am using pheremone traps that are supposed to reduce numbers over time.We will see...

SparkyToo · 06/08/2010 20:50

I too hope you get it sorted. Little so-and-so's have put holes in some of my nicest, newest t-shirts and other clothes............ it's very annoying!

tom57 · 06/08/2010 23:31

Just thought I would mention freezing.

Once stayed in a posh hotel with a big moth problem,

Put all our clothes in the freezer for 48hrs when we got back-kills moths ,eggs and larvae cases which being almost glued down are hard to hoover up.hth

tom57 · 06/08/2010 23:33

Oh and a steam jet/hoover round the edges of rooms where they lay eggs is good

tom57 · 06/08/2010 23:34

I hate moths.Can you tell....

We don't have any thoGrin

One good coat too many....

CarGirl · 06/08/2010 23:35

It's a growing problem because most of the old over the counter rememdies have been banned for over the counter sale. Sadly you have to get a moth man in to get rid of them I'm afraid.

hellymelly · 07/08/2010 20:09

tom57 what steam clean machine do you have? I'm thinking that might be a good idea.I have lots of lovely vintage clothing and after the last couture dior 1950's moth attack I have decided to get super vigilant.I used to try and catch them and gently put them outside.Now they get squashed.

jaffacakeaddict · 07/08/2010 21:31

I've heard that if you use cedar wood strips or balls that they work best if you sand them lightly with sandpaper from time to time. Apparently if freshens the smell which deters the moths.

size6feet · 08/08/2010 14:22

I have bought a length of cedar wood skirting board and put offcuts of that everywhere . Its a lot easier to rough up with a bit of sand paper than rolling balls. In the dark ages all chests were made of cedarwood because it works.
Along with sprigs of lavender, moths dont like that either. I grew my own and put bunches everywhere. When I am in the linen cupboard or wardrobes I give them a little squeeze. My workroom is full of cloth and clothes and I have never (touch (cedar)wood) had a moth problem.

There was a recipe for natural moth repellant shown on tv recently by James Wong.

Pick Sage leaves and sprigs of Rosemary. Dry them out (I did in a very low oven). Crumble them up. Add splashes of Vodka. Put 2 tablespoons of each for one bag of muslin.

I think I have so many things on the go that it all builds up over time and keeps the moths away.

Original poster
ConnorTraceptive · 08/08/2010 21:03

Thanks for all the advice. I've been on a mission this weekend cleaning wardrobes, hoovering and freezing all our clothes. I've been putting cedarwood everywhere too.

I might give the steam cleaner a go to around the edges of the carpets!

OP posts:
tom57 · 08/08/2010 23:46

hellymelly-It's a 'Vaporetto Leco aspira polti'
It's a sort of hoover,I bought it to kill dust mites in carpets but one can steam curtains/clothes ect.There are many attachments.....

Was about £400 tho,I imagine you could get one especially for clothes at a more reasonable cost.

solo · 09/08/2010 02:02

You are right jaffacake re the sanding now and again :)

moragbellingham · 09/08/2010 09:31

Colibri I get these sachets from Hangerworld via Amazon. They are pleasant smelling and am waiting to see if I have any more problems.
I didn't want to have moth balls around DDs clothes or them (I know lots of the worst pesticides have been banned).
Have vacuumed everywhere and rewashed the wardrobe contents.
My one and only cashmere sweater was the last casualty!!!Sad

hellymelly · 09/08/2010 22:12

I have those colibri things,as I have heard goo things about them,but the moths are just mothing away right next to them ,the little bastards

JaynieB · 09/08/2010 22:19

I've had a moth infestation this year too - several cashmere jumpers ruined, holes in rugs (and so on) - all of the above are good tips, the freezer is great for fragile items that won't wash. Keep hoovering! I'm down to just the occasional moth now but have those sticky moth traps in their favourite haunts and all the wardrobes.
I'd also check any items you have in the house that are made of fur or leather - we had a couple of things we'd brought back from holidays - a skin drum for example and it was crawling with moth grubs.

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