Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-05-03
THE CLOTHES MOTH.
How to Deal with This Destructive
Household Pest.

yehoWiSn HlOtn winch Is seen OCCASION
ally fitting about the lamp at night Is
an indication to the housekeeper that
clothes moths are beginning their work
OF destruction. In other words, egg lay
ing by these little moths is now under
way. and within month in the latitude
OF the District OF Columbia, later north
ward and earlier southwark. the eating
OF woolens and furs by the tiny cater
pillars coming from these eggs may be
anticipated.
The moths which are thus attracted to
the lamps at night or fly away from gar
ments 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
Destruction. as every housekeeper knows,
IL occasioned entirely by the tiny larvae
working underneath scanty webs or in
little cases made from particles Of the
garments on which they feed webbed
together by a whitish silk. The common
clothes moth Of this country is the web
bling species. known as the webbing or
southern clothes moth. and its presence
on garments can be detected by this
smoky or whitish web which is In evi-
dence 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 a stifr
brushing of the garments.
The protection of woolens, furs and
feathers and like materials from the at
tacks of the larvae of these moths il
secured only by constant vigilance and
careful inspection and treatment
Az early as possible in the spring. IN
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. IL 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 30
cleaned and summed should then be put
away in moth-proof containers Mate
rails which can not he thus put away
should be given the same thorough clean
ing and reinspected 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 wrappings of
paper or in well-nade baes Of cotton or
linen cloth or in paper sacks which can
DO tied or otherwise securely fastened. to
prevent ingress Of the moths. In these
packages can be placed such repellents as
tobacco dust. camphor. naphthalene cones
or balls, and cedar chips, etc. The odors
Of these substances are disagreeable to
| the parent moths and act as a repellant.
but they will not kill eggs or larvae
which may be enclosed in the packages.
Hence the necessity Of the thoroughgoing
| cleaning and airing prior to packing
/, away. The same precautions are needed
with cedar chests and wardrobes
The best means OF protection from
clothes moths and a method now avail
able in all larger towns. are the refrig
Grating rooms provided for that purpose
in practically all storage warehouses, and
the adoption Of this method Of protection
Tor all valuable garments or furs dur
ing the hot months Is strongly recon-
mended.
Articles in daily or weekly use, and
apartments frequently aired and swept
or used as living rooms. are not apt to
be seriously attacked. There is risk
that under these conditions attached car
pets may be eaten around the border
where the insects are not so much dis
turbed by walking and sweeping, and
particular attention should be given ia
the border areas. Loose rugs are much
less apt to be injured, but It In a good
plan during the summer, " these are al
lowed to remain on the floor, to turn
them over and thoroughly sweep or brush
the under surface once every two or three
weeks.
Rugs or carpets put away for the sum-
mer should be first thoroughly cleaned on
| hot hQafan nd
up in tight rolls protected by wrapping
with tar paper. The additional covering
or baling with burlap liz not necessary
except where the rolls or bales are to be
transported or will require considerable
| ho ndliu1