Evening star., 1942-04-24
Refuse Moths
Their Right
To Thrive
Take Precautions
Before Storing
Your WOOlenS
By Bureau OF Home Economies,
o. Q. Department Of Agriculture.


Eliminate all possible breeding
places for moths. Never leave wool
rags or old wool clothes lying care
lessly around the house. Don't let
lint or hair accumulate in floor
cracks or under baseboards or dog
or cat hairs remain In the basement.
Moths like to eat hair, feathers and
fur as well as wool.
Ordinarily, moths don't bother
clothes that you wear frequently.
But they are likely to set up house
keeping in wool coat or dress that
hangs In the back of dark closet
for weeks at a time. SO even If you
aren't wearing these garments lot
its a good idea to take them out
and sun and brush them occas-
ionally.
For safety and convenience, most
women like to clear closets of winter
clothing as soon as possible. These
clothes may be sent to reliable COM
mercial establishments for storage.
But they, can be stored safely at
home II the homemaker takes little
time and care to put them away.
Store wool garments, gloves and
shoes separately from articles Of
rayon, cotton, linen. or silk, which
need no protection from moths.
Half your battle is won If you
make sure you have no moths-moth
larvae-or moth eggs on the clothing
before you store it. The moths
aren't likely to be on the clothing
because they fly away the minute
they get out In the sunlight. But
the tiny, soft, white moth eggs can
easily 30 undetected. In 4 to 8 days
In the summer an egg matches into
the worm or larvae that does the
real destructive work.
Dry cleaning kills moths-destroys
eggs and larvae. So does washing
with strong solution of neutral
soap. And so will a good summing
and airing If you accompany 1t with
brisk brushing.
Once you get the clothing free of
moths, they may be put away in
paper bags, wrapped in paper, sealed
in boxes, or stored in trunks, chests,
or tight closets. Paper bags and
bundles should be stored where they
are not likely to get torn. Moths
won't eat through paper, but they
are opportunists who will take ad-
vantage of tear to get inside.
Trunks and chests should have
tight-fitting lids. And closets set
aside especially for storage of wools
should have all cracks in plaster and
around baseboards filled with crack
fillers-a gasket on the door so 1t
can be shut tight all around.
There's always chance that there
may be some moth larvae or eggs In
the clothing you store. So It's q
good idea to play safe by using fake
napthaline, or paradichlorobenzene
or mothballs which contain one OF
both Of these chemicals. As these
chemicals evaporate they give of a
gas which first discourages the moth
larvae from feeding on the wool
then kills the larvae II the gas is
concentrated enough. They ninst
be used generously If they are really
to do the Job.
Tie these crystals or balls in a
cloth sack and hang them on the
neck Of the hanger inside a paper
protector. Sprinkle them gener-
ously between the folds Of clothing
in boxes, trunks, chests. Put on the
top shelf Of q closet set aside for
storage or hang them In muslin bags
from hooks.
Naturally, If the gassis to do its
work the lid Of box or chest. and
the door of a closet must be kept
tightly closed-opened only a short
time when it is necessary to put
something away or to get out a gar
ment. About pound of flake nap
thalene or paradichlorobenzene Is a
safe amount to use in small chest,
trunk. or wooden box.