Defending The Wool Kilt Against A Moth Invasion

[Riverkilt]

Aye, ALL my wool kilts and jacket live in individual bags like that...STILL, I don't trust the moths to be kept out. The moths seem to manage to get into the tightest crevasse....

[Tobus]

Aye, ALL my wool kilts and jacket live in individual bags like that...STILL, I don't trust the moths to be kept out. The moths seem to manage to get into the tightest crevasse....

Agreed, and that's why bags should only be a first line of defence. Cedar balls, planks, etc., should still be employed inside the bag and around the top opening to deter them.

One of these days I'm going to find the time and wherewithal to follow through with my plans to convert one of my hall closets to a cedar-lined closet. It should be as simple as lining the walls with thin cedar planks, and then just lightly sanding them every couple of years to renew the effect.

[Riverkilt]

Aye, so last night I'm trying to fall asleep and keep hearing this weird plinking sound...turn on the light and its a moth banging against the blinds. Now the blinds are right next to the closet where I store my kilts in bags and hang cedar. Too close for comfort... Bug-A-Salt time...

[Macseobang]

Aye, so last night I'm trying to fall asleep and keep hearing this weird plinking sound...turn on the light and its a moth banging against the blinds. Now the blinds are right next to the closet where I store my kilts in bags and hang cedar. Too close for comfort... Bug-A-Salt time...

Clothes moths are very small (7-8mm) and would not be the kind that are large enough to bang into windows or blinds and make a noise. If my master's in entomology is worth anything, it is usually to calm peoples insect fears.

[Steve Ashton]

Remember that not all cedar is a moth repellent. Most recommend Eastern Red Cedar. Or Aromatic cedar.

And only fresh cedar works. While you may still be able to enjoy the scent of the wood, the concentration to deter moths must be very high. So most recommend refreshing cedar wood with cedar oil at least once a season.

In fact sprinkling cedar oil would be just as effective as the wood itself as it is the oil, not the wood, that does the work.

Camphor wood is felt to be a better deterrent than cedar. Many feel lavender to be a better than cedar but again it must be fresh.

Most feel that an airtight container to be more effective than a container made from, or containing the 'natural' deterrents like cedar, camphor or lavender.

In essence what you want is to suffocate the little larva. This is why moth balls have been used for so long. The balls dissolve (sublimate) directly to a gas and displace the air.

It is the larva that do the damage (The adults don't eat or drink) They are looking for dirt and sweat. They eat through the wool to get at the dirt. So meticulous cleaning seems to be the key.

As the common clothes moth prefers to walk, and not fly, most in my area feel the the sticky moth traps that will keep the adults from crawling around to be pretty effective.

[Riverkilt]

Ahh, an expert....thanks...but dang...I still have fears!

[kiltedsawyer]

Remember that not all cedar is a moth repellent. Most recommend Eastern Red Cedar. Or Aromatic cedar.

And only fresh cedar works. While you may still be able to enjoy the scent of the wood, the concentration to deter moths must be very high. So most recommend refreshing cedar wood with cedar oil at least once a season.

In fact sprinkling cedar oil would be just as effective as the wood itself as it is the oil, not the wood, that does the work.

Camphor wood is felt to be a better deterrent than cedar. Many feel lavender to be a better than cedar but again it must be fresh.

Most feel that an airtight container to be more effective than a container made from, or containing the 'natural' deterrents like cedar, camphor or lavender.

In essence what you want is to suffocate the little larva. This is why moth balls have been used for so long. The balls dissolve (sublimate) directly to a gas and displace the air.

It is the larva that do the damage (The adults don't eat or drink) They are looking for dirt and sweat. They eat through the wool to get at the dirt. So meticulous cleaning seems to be the key.

As the common clothes moth prefers to walk, and not fly, most in my area feel the the sticky moth traps that will keep the adults from crawling around to be pretty effective.

I keep my kilts in a closet lined with cedar flake board from the big box store. Just a few minutes with a sanding block seems to reinvigorate the scent of the cedar.
Cheers,

David

[Riverkilt]

Had such a closet once a few homes ago before my kilt addiction...thanks for the reminder....another project

[Katia]

Remember that not all cedar is a moth repellent. Most recommend Eastern Red Cedar. Or Aromatic cedar.

And only fresh cedar works. While you may still be able to enjoy the scent of the wood, the concentration to deter moths must be very high. So most recommend refreshing cedar wood with cedar oil at least once a season.

In fact sprinkling cedar oil would be just as effective as the wood itself as it is the oil, not the wood, that does the work.

Camphor wood is felt to be a better deterrent than cedar. Many feel lavender to be a better than cedar but again it must be fresh.

Most feel that an airtight container to be more effective than a container made from, or containing the 'natural' deterrents like cedar, camphor or lavender.

In essence what you want is to suffocate the little larva. This is why moth balls have been used for so long. The balls dissolve (sublimate) directly to a gas and displace the air.

It is the larva that do the damage (The adults don't eat or drink) They are looking for dirt and sweat. They eat through the wool to get at the dirt. So meticulous cleaning seems to be the key.

As the common clothes moth prefers to walk, and not fly, most in my area feel the the sticky moth traps that will keep the adults from crawling around to be pretty effective.

Or, as I do... a plastic container, also holding a piece of cloth with essential oils of lavender, cedar, and patchouli... (I also have cedar blocks I might choose to put the oils on instead.) Okay, this is usually for wool yarn and roving as I haven't many small tartan accessories, but you get the idea.

[Riverkilt]

Great idea! During an infestation toss all the wool in plastic thingies...like the giant Tupperware ones.