Moths

[Elvis]

Does anyone else suffer from moth attacks? I assume it's moths that are munching their way through our knitwear - though only the good stuff, 100% wool.
We've had the problem ever since we moved to this house. There is a big wardrobe in our bedroom which seems to be the source of the problem.
My new Christmas jumper has now been munched and I'm seriously pissed off. Any hints anyone?

[Snugs]

Elvis have you actually seen one so that you know it is moths? It could be carpet beetle - as you may have guessed they don't just eat carpets!

Look around on the floor of the wardrobe for tiny, hairy cocoon cast offs - they crush into dust very easily. You might also see little white caterpillar like creatures - but they are VERY small so hard to spot.

They always tend to appear if there is a birds nest nearby - so are very common in upstairs rooms due to nests in attics or roof eaves. The best way to get rid of them is a good spring clean to start with - EVERY piece of clothing, linens, towels etc in the area MUST be shaken out thoroughly. If you find much evidence of beetles, you might want to spray around the empty wardrobes with a pest control spray (the ones from vets are the best) if you don't mind using chemicals.

Next, ideally, you need to find and remove the birds nest - or else same problem next year. And by the way, it is always a good idea to remove old birds nests which are in unsuitable places - I have it on good experience that in the 2nd year you are likely to have a bees nest in the same place, and in the 3rd or 4th year, a wasps nest.

Bear in mind that once in the house they do have a habit of moving around - often carried on clothing or laundry (sorry if I'm making your skin crawl) and of course they LOVE carpeted floors, so it is a good idea to keep a sharp eye out downstairs as well.

By the way - I used to work in pest control!

[mollipops]

Epsom salts will get rid of moths; they also don't like ammonia so wipe shelves with a strong ammonia solution. Obviously keep both these out of children's reach!

PS Could be silverfish too!

[Janus]

I had this last Winter and had a about 5 jumpers ruined and was really upset. It's not actually the moths but the lavae that eat your clothes and are so hard to spot - tiny white, slightly long, looks like a tiny ball of cotton wool. I got advice and the only thing that would kill them is to wash EVERYTHING in the wardrobe. This took days, must be as hot as your clothes will allow, washing machine is best. I did take some to the dry cleaners too. Don't ignore clothes that look unaffected as they may have some lavae on you can't spot. It's a pain but wash it all. Sometimes they don't all come out so do give a little inspection and I picked off any remaining. It's a long slog!
Then go and get either moth balls or little hang up things that repel the moths. Since doing this I haven't had anything touched this year.
Good luck!

[Elvis]

I had no idea that there were so many potential nasties out there ready to much through my wardrobe, how revolting!

[Janus]

I know! I got really squimish about this last year and was so upset, I hated picking the little b* off my clothes! I blame it on a jumper a previous owner left in the wardrobe - because it was Nicole Farhi (or however you spell it!!) I decided I might wear it one day so kept it!! Serves me right for being so tight!!!
We went through a bit of a nightmare with the sale - ending in them taking the toilet roll holder, all light fixtures etc and I think she did it on purpose!!!

[Janus]

That should say 'sqeamish'!! (is that how you spell it??!)

[ChanelNo5]

Elvis, haven't got any useful tips, but I have got a joke to cheer you up:-

Q. Why do moths fly with their legs wide open?

A. Have you seen the size of moth balls!

Sorry, I'm going now!