The Washington herald., 1921-10-02

THREE species of clothes moths attack articles
Il made Of wool. fur. bristIes. hair and feathers.
and their life histories similar that one system
of control is applicable to ALL says the Department
of Agriculture. in a recent bulletin. These moths
pass through the usual life cycle of insects-adut
parent moth. the egg. the larVa or worm, and the
pupa or chrysais stages. The adult parent moth
is the miller, commonly flying about rooms and
closets. Although moths are particularly abundant
during the spring and late summer in heated houses
they may prevail at any time
The moths themselves do not damage clothing
carpets or similar articles but they lay many small
white eggs, in some instances many as 400 eggs
each in a period OF three weeks. Dependent on the
temperature these eggs hatch in from FIVE days.
the tiny worms beginning to feed as soon as they
hatch and reaching maturity in from three months to
year. The rapidity of growth of the larvae
depends upon favorable weather conditions and the
kind of material available for feed 1t is the larvae
that the destruction of clothing they prey
upon clothes. furs. skins and the like being well
equipped for such activities with welldeveloped jaws
1t is simple matter to control moths where the
proper precautions observed All clothing that is
stored should be frequently brushed beaten and
well summed regular intervals The larvae and eggs
of clothes moths very delicate. and a thorough
brushing beating will either crush them.
In brushing. pay special attention the and
pockets, where dust and lint may have collected.
A IL clothing should be we'll cleaned before it is
"A packed away in chests, clothes moths pros
per upon soiled spots in wearing apparel. After
thoroughly brushing, beating and summing. articles to
be stored away should be wrapped tightly in several
thicknesses of newspapers heavy wrapping paper,
making certain that the paper the end of the bundle
is we'll bent back upon itself that opening is
left through which the moths crawl These pests
will not eat through paper. while tight wrapping
makes firm of clothing which still further
protects il.
Another excellent method of protecting clothing
comes through the liberal of naphthaene in the
form of moth balls fakes. In tight chests
trunks pound of naphthalene, we'll distributed
among the clothes. will kill all moths and eggs and
larvae. Well-grown larvae killed with difficulty
by naphthalene, it is essential brush clothes
thoroughly before placing them in the chests and
posing them to such control treatment. Unless the
trunk container is very tight the fumes of naph-
thalene will escape and not kill the moths, this
chemical is effective killing agent only when in
closed in airtght receptacle. Naphthalene scat
tered about bureau drawers may keep moths away
to some extent but will not kill them.
The best method Of clothes protection. and the
commonly adopted by dealers in furs and
tcles held at temperature of 20 degrees Fahrenheit
will be absolutely protected against damage while in
storage. Where the cost of cold storage is not a
critical factor the adoption of this method of procc-
ton of goods during weather is strongly