I have MOTHS!

[denmcdough]

A good way to store your wool kilt, if you have no cedar chest: use an old cotton pillow case and wrap it over the kilt/hanger, making sure there are no openings! Storing it in plastic is a no-no. Wool has to breath, and over time, if left in the plastic, the wool becomes brittle. Good luck! DJM

[auld argonian]

I've got some suit bags from Target that have plastic backs and a sort of a woven synthetic fabric on the zipper side...that takes care of the ventilation.

Maybe pack your stuff up in bags like these with some cedar balls or blocks in the pockets? Don't know if that will eliminate any bugs that are already there, though. I am getting ready to re-do a closet with the cedar boards available at the home improvement center.

Best

AA

[Bugbear]

Back where I grew up, we had huge moths that showed up now and then.

I think this might be it, though it doesn't seem to give size measurements.
http://www.texasento.net/Dysschema.htm

We measured one in our house with a six inch wing span.

They weren't as scary as the giant, tarantula eating wasps, though.

Ah, New Mexico...

[Tobus]

They weren't as scary as the giant, tarantula eating wasps, though.

Ah, I miss tarantulas. We had them when I was growing up out in West Texas.

The main creepy critters we have here where I live now are scorpions. They'll get under your pillow, in your boots, even inside your folded underwear! Can't do anything around here without first checking for scorpions. The only good thing about them is that they eat all the other bugs.

[unaspenser]

Since it hasn't been mentioned yet, lavender is another moth-repelling substance. I have lavender sachets and lavender wands with my wool goods, and try to send them out with knitted orders. It smells a lot better than moth balls...

[Bugbear]

Ah, I miss tarantulas. We had them when I was growing up out in West Texas.

The main creepy critters we have here where I live now are scorpions. They'll get under your pillow, in your boots, even inside your folded underwear! Can't do anything around here without first checking for scorpions. The only good thing about them is that they eat all the other bugs.

Ya, not sure where you are, but I'm over here near Phoenix. We have scorpians, but they tend to mass in the same areas. So one city is completely covered with them and others aren't so bad...

I have a herd of cats that prowl my property, but the scorpians really aren't a problem in my area. Spiders, whole different story.

[MacBean]

But let me know first, so I can avoid you at the dance!

I had a moth infestation 20 years ago. Despite being anti-chemical, I called in an good exterminator who sprayed all the baseboards in the house (that's where they go), while we double bagged everything wool, feather, or fur in the house (and there was a LOT of stuff). Each bag had a good scoop of napthalene, and was kept sealed for a month before we aired it. The piece that was infested was kept in nathalene bags even to the present, though I would love it if someone could repair it. Alas, probably not possible. I would take this seriously - they do hide.

[Fedgunner]

As a precaution put the garments into plastic bags then place in a freezer for a few days. That will kill any eggs/larva before they get chomping. A hardware store should have moth balls which you can then use as a short-term deterrent until your cedar chest is ready and I would recommend the freezer treatment before putting the items into it.

I was warned off of mothballs by Kathy Lare.
They pose a danger to anyone pressing a kilt. Appearently the out gassing while pressing the garment is very hazardous to the person performing the work.

[Frank McGrath]

On the subject of Moths........I am reminded of a joke I once heard.


Yeah.....That one.

[thescot]

I've heard that if you have a woolen garment that is a lost cause, you should place it next to a good piece of wool, set fire to the old garment, and as the moths run to the new one, stab them with an icepick.

I haven't tried it, so don't blame me.