Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1917-11-12
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The Clothes Moth
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In the spring of the year the tiny,
yellowish moth which is seen DC.
casionally fitting about the lamp at
night is an indication TO the house
keeper that clothes moths are begin
ming their work of destruction
The moths which are thus attracted
to the lamps at night or ny away
from garments or portieres when
these are handled do not themselves
eat anything and could not eat ii they
wanted to, as they have no biting or
chewing mouth parts. The destruc-
ton, as every housekeeper knows, is
occasioned entirely by the tiny larvae
working underneath scanty webs or
in little cases made from particles of
the garments on which they feed web
bed together by whtish silk. The
common clothes moth of this country
is the webbing species, known as the
webbing or southern clothes moth,
and its presence on garments can be
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web which is in evidence even before
the garments have been much eaten.
II from these indications the larvae
are discovered in time, the larvae and
webs can be easily removed by stiff
brushing OF the garments.
The protection Of woolens, furs and
feathers and like materials from the
attacks OF the larvae of these moths
is secured only by constant vigilance
and careful inspection and treatment.
AS early as possible in the spring,
all woolens, furs, etc, the use of
which can be dispensed with, should
be put away in safe storage for the
summer. Before being packed away
such articles should be thoroughly
brushed and beaten and, If possible,
exposed to the strong sunlight for
several hours out OF doors. The
brushing is very important in order
to remove the eggs or young larvae
which may have escaped notice
Articles SO cleaned and summed should
then be put away in mothproof con-
tanners. Materials which can not be
thus put away should be given the
same through cleaning and reinspect-
ed during the summer. preferably
every two weeks. In no case should
such examinations be at intervals OF
greater than three weeks or a month.
Wooden clothing and furs. etc, may
be packed away safely for the summer
by enclosing them in several wrap
pings Of paper or in well-made bags
OF cotton or linen cloth or in paper
sacks which can be tied or otherwise
securel: fastened, to prevent ingress
of the moths. In these packages can
be placed such repellments as tobacco
dust, camphor, naphthalene cones or
balls, and cedar chips, etc. The odors
OF these substances are dsagreeable
to the parent moths and act as "A re-
pellent, but they will not kill eggs or
larvae which may be enclosed in tie
packages. Hence the necessity OF the
thoroughgoing cleaning and airing
prior to packing away. The same pre-
caution, are needed with cedar chests
and wardrobes.
The best means OF protection from
clothes moths and method now
available in all larger towns, are the
refrigerating rooms provided for that
purpose in practically all storage
warehouses, and the adoption of this
method of protection for all valuable
garments or furs during the hot
months is strongly recommended.
Articles in daily or week.. use, and
apartments frequently aired and
swept or used III living rooms, are not
apt to be seriously attacked. There
is risk that under these conditions
attached carpets may be eaten around
the border whore the insects are not
so much disturbed by walking and
sweeping, and particular attention
should be given to the border areas.
Loose rugs are much less apt to be
injured. but 1t is good plan during
the summer il these are. allowed. to