Blankets being eaten by moths

[adam2]

Displeased to discover that moths* have attacked my spare blankets and eaten a few small holes

The damage is minimal and of little consequence in itself, but of course I dont want it to get worse, or affect other blankets.

What is the best way of detering or preferably killing moths ? must be harmless to cats. Old fashoined moth balls perhaps.

*to be strictly accurate I think that it is the larvae that do the damage, however it is invariably refered to as moth damage.

[fuzzy]

What about those storage bags you zip up then suck out the air with a Henry? They sell them at Wilko etc. Obviously they would need to be bug free when sealed. How about a few drops of chloroform on the sheets - evaporates when you air them. I never like the thought of moth balls are they really harmless??

[sam_uk]

"Old fashoined moth balls perhaps."

Naphthalene moth balls have been banned in Europe since 2008, not surprisingly since their properties include being toxic, carcinogenic and highly flammable!

Seems Cedar is used these days:
http://www.wilko.com/garment-care+prote ... vt/0273272

Not sure how effective it is. The bags seem like a good idea, but expensive.

[RenewableCandy]

Cedarwood ftw.

[plotter]

To get rid of any larvae which may still be in the blankets, put them in a plastic bag then in the freezer for a few hours !

Many herbs make good insect repellents, particularly good against moths is wormwood (artemesia absinthium ) but I use dried lavender as I grow lots of it. No moths on my unbagged jumpers in 20 or so years

[clv101]

If you put them in a -20C freezer for 48 hours, you'll kill any moths, larvae and eggs. Then airtight sealing is probably the best bet.

[Tarrel]

Cedar balls would work well, especially in an airtight environment. That's why wardrobes are traditionally made of cedar.

[adam2]

Cedar wood certainly works if the woollen goods are substantially enclosed in cedar. As posted above wardrobes used to be made of cedar which was also used for blanket chests and shelves in linen cupboards.

Not certain how effective small balls or blocks of cedar would be, as distinct from making furniture substantially out of cedar.

[Wrynn]

I agree with dried lavender. I hate the smell which some find very pleasing and adorable. Anyways smell is bad and it sticks to your clothes so you later walk around smelling like lavender BUT it works. It deters little buggers.

[kenneal - lagger]

My aunt had a camphor wood chest, bought when they were working in Singapore I think, in which they kept spare bedding.