The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1869-05-22
Moths in Furniture.

There are two species of moth which
lnfest furniture. One is large fly of sill
very white color; the worm is also white,
shaped like chestnut worm, and is famil-
iarly known. 1t early infests furniture
The other is a small fly of 4 drab color; the
worm is about one-fourth of an inch long,
and tapering from the head to the tail 1t
was first observed by upholsters about seven
years ago. This fly penetrates a sofa or
chair, generally between the back and seat
of sofas, OF under the seat of sofas, where
the vacancy among the springs affords
safe retreat. 1t may make a Judgment in
one week after the furniture is placed in
house. If such should be the case, in two
months the worm will appear and the con-
tinual process of procreation i'll few
months increases the number to thousands
This moth has no season. 1t destroys in
winter and summer alike, as it is kept in
active life by the constant heat of the
house. We find, at the same time, in the
same piece of furniture, the fly, the worm
and the eggs; thus showing that they are
breeding and destroying all the time. 1t
does not eat good, pure curled hair, but
fastens its cocoon to it. The inside of fur
niture is used by it only for the purpose
of propagation. The worm, when ready
for food crawls out and destroys the cover
ing, if Of WOODEN or plush material, and
falling to the carpet, destroys it. They
rarely cut through plush from the inside,
as it is of cotton back, but there are nstan-
ces where they have cut up muslin on the
outside back of sofas. There is no protec-
ton against it except continual care New
furniture should be removed from the walls
at least twice week at this season of the
year, and should be well whisked all around,
particularly under the seats, to prevent the
fly from lodging. This is an effectual pre-
Ventive, and the only one known. Cay
enne pepper, Scotch snuff camphor, tur-
pentlne, and all other remedies for protec
ton from the large moth, are of little or no
avail against the furniture moth. Satura-
ton with alcohol will not destroy them
when in piece of furniture. If the furni-
ture Is infested, they may be removed by
taking off the muslin from under the seats
and off the outside ends and backs. where
they congregate most, and expose it to the
air as much as possible. Beat well with
whisk or the open hand, and kill all the
flies and worms which show themselves.
This done often will disturb them, and may
make them leave the furniture, as their de-
sire is to be left quiet. When the furniture
is free from moths and is to be left during
the summer months without attention. #
may be protected by camphor in small bags.
or highly concentrated patchouli The
safest way is to have the furniture well
whisked twice week. If the moths attack
the carpet, which they will first do under
the sofas and chairs, spread wet sheet on
the carpet and pass hot fat-iron over it
quickly, and the steam will effectually de-
stroy both worm and eggs. If furniture is
delivered in dwelling free from moths,
the upholster's responsibility ends there. !
and all rests with the housekeeper, as no |
tradesman can tell whether the moth will
attack it or not. There are cases where
furniture has been in use ten or twelve |
years before being attacked. 1t would be |
as fair to hold the tailor responsible for the |
safety of clothing, as to hold the uphoIster
responsible for the safety of furniture. |