moths eating my jumpers - do i need to do something or will it just go away?

[pollypeachum]

i have just noticed that moths have been busy in my house. they have nibbled:-

underneath the collar of my coat (hanging on rail in wardrobe)
about four shawls (in drawer)
a blanket (on a bed)
a skirt (also hanging in wardrobe)

none of the holes are big, although they had a good munch on the coat. now i think about it, i noticed the hole in the blanket about two years ago - thought it had got snagged on something, didn't think of moths. ditto the skirt. i have no idea how long the holes in the coat and scarves have been there. the best i can do is sometime in the last 5 years....

i have checked everything else in the wardrobe inc DH's suits and there is no other damage as far as i can see. no moth cases or other signs of activity. no little blighters scuttling away under the skirting board.

has anyone else had this? do i need to panic? is it possible that they just dropped in for a bit and have now moved on? i really don't want to spray chemicals everywhere. (although in a fit i bought MOTHBALLS and have put them in my drawers. am conscious that will now smell like my granny and not even sure that they will do any good)

Lavender bags might help and smell pleasent

They are the antichrist.

Once you have them, they're yours for life. Esp in an old house it is almost impossible to get rid of them permanently. The main thing is to make sure that woollens are not left stored for ages without being moved -- for carpets you need to move the furniture around regularly and be meticulous about hoovering in all the nooks and crannies.

For clothes, washing and ironing prior to putting away will help. Seal in a plastic bag if you have to store something over the summer. Pay particular attention to cornery bits like under the lapels of coats or turned-up sleeves. Take things out into the garden and spray them before storing.

These things will help a bit. But the price of hole-free woollens is eternal vigilance.

said with feeling frogs. what gets me is that there is NO EVIDENCE whatsoever of their activity apart from the holes. how can you fight a menace you can't see!

what you say is perversely reassuring though. had you told me i had to act now to adopt a scorched earth/chemical policy, i'd have felt v depressed.

as it is, i'm going to buy moth proof clothing bags for the few decent items i've got and shake everything regularly. am also going to purge the stuff i don't wear.
DH's suits, which by the way are 100% wool, really quite old and probably never cleaned esp the more outdoors pursuits ones, and therefore you'd think ideal food for moths, have not been touched.
life is not fair.