Did I just make a mistake?

[plaid preacher]

So, let's begin with the observation that I am still new to the whole kilting culture! Anyway, I just returned from holidays and hung my two kilts out on the clothesline to air out before hanging them in the closet. As I was taking my wool kilt off the line I thought to myself ... uh-oh! What if there are moths around? (IT was late afternoon on a very hot day, if that matters.)

My question ... should I have done this? Now that I have done this, what should I do next? (I do keep my kilt in a breathable bag with cedar balls.)

Thanks for the advice.

[mookien]

It probably didn't hurt. In fact airing out a kilt is a good thing to do from time to time.

But, if you are in a moth rich environment and/or if you are really worried about it, you can wrap each kilt in plastic and put them in a deep freeze for a couple/few nights. The actual period of time seems to be a subject of uncertainty. It's supposed to kill the moth eggs that otherwise would hatch out and start munching. But, I don't know of any research that substantiates that prophylactic effect. It sure sounds good though.

[Dale Seago]

But, if you are in a moth rich environment and/or if you are really worried about it, you can wrap each kilt in plastic and put them in a deep freeze for a couple/few nights.

Another possibility if you don't have room in your freezer is cryofumigation:

Fumigating an object with dry ice, that is enclosing it in a plastic bag for 3–5 days with dry ice so it is effectively bathed in a high concentration of carbon dioxide, denied oxygen, and thus will kill all stages of clothing moths. For details, see Clothes Moths Management Guidelines, under "Household Furnishings".
(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tineola_bisselliella)

[TJ Kelley]

my mother swears by 24hrs in the freezer technique... and my mother is never wrong, she will tell you.

[Pipersson]

Is teflon coating a special protection against our friends?

[Katia]

Many in the fiber art community will swear by freezing, so it can't hurt.

[Steve Ashton]

You need to remember that it is not the moths themselves that do the damage. It is the larva that hatch from the eggs laid by the moth.

What attracts the moths is the dirt, dead skin cells, and sweat embedded into the fibers. This stuff is what the larva feed on. If you want to keep your kilts moth hole free make sure they are clean and well aired out.

This attraction to their food source is one reason that you commonly find moth holes in the center of the under aprons of kilts.

Moths and their larva hate sunshine and fresh air. It is actually the best thing you can do is hang your kilt on the line outside. Not only will moths not go near clothes on the line but the sunshine actually helps clean the wool.

The worst thing you can do with woolens is seal them in an airtight plastic bag. They cannot breathe and the moths will be in heaven finding all those smells sealed up awaiting them.

One note on using cedar as a moth repellant. Only aromatic cedar will work. Most of the chips and flakes of cedar you buy are not the aromatic type and do nothing. If you can't find aromatic cedar you can use potpourris of lavender, thyme or rosemary. These actually work quite well. They have been used for centuries.

Freezing will kill the eggs if you have them. It may be far better not to get them in the first place by keeping your kilts clean. If you want to bag them use cloth bags that allow air circulation.

And BTW, moth balls of napthalene do not repel moths. They poison and suffocate the larva. The moth balls themselves evaporate over time. As they evaporate they release Naptha that will melt plastic. So do not use Napthalene in plastic bags or near synthetic kilts.

Will moths lay eggs in synthetic garments? Yes. It is not the fibers they are after but the dirt and oils. The larva do not eat the synthetic fibers as much as eatable wool but if the kilt is dirty and sealed up, yes they will put their holes there too.

And no, this is not a polystermite story.

[andycwb]

Freezing will kill the eggs if you have them. It may be far better not to get them in the first place by keeping your kilts clean. If you want to bag them use cloth bags that allow air circulation.

When I ordered my kilt I was told the best way to store it was rolled and inside an old stocking. The thin fabric will protect it from moths and allow it to breathe. I've noted the comments about airing before storage and also ensuring the under-apron is cleanQ

[New World Czech]

This is from Wikipedia.
"◦Heat (120 °F or 49 °C for 30 minutes or more) – these conditions may possibly be achieved by placing infested materials in an attic in warm weather"
So with the current heat wave in the US there should be plenty of hot attics and cars around to toast your kilts.
As Steve stated the best method is prevention.

[Nile]

And no, this is not a polystermite story.

Ha, ha, good one Steve!

Thank you for this truly useful post.

Nile