Very informative 0:00: 👗 Debunking myths about clothes moths and how to prevent damage to your clothing and knitted items. 5:11: 🦋 Research shows clothes moth larvae are not attracted to clean wool, indicating it is safe from damage. 11:24: 🦋 Clothes moths are more problematic in larger cities across America, but also present in various environments. 16:08: 🦋 Preventing clothes moths infestation: tips and common sources of entry. 21:38: 🦋 Effectiveness of different treatments on clothes moth larvae damage prevention studied. 25:56: 🦋 Inaccurate perceptions of clothes moth infestations are fueled by availability heuristic and emotional contagion. 30:46: 🦋 Prevent clothes moths by inspecting, cleaning, and using pheromone traps in storage areas. 35:42: 👕 Identifying fabric damage causes: mold, insects, rodents, not necessarily clothes moths. 40:47: ⚠ Risks of Using Mothballs and Benefits of Moth-Proof Wool Recap by Tammy AI
Two years later, and I keep coming back to this video again and again and sending it to people who tell me to ward off moths by putting cedar chips in my closet. This video is the gift that keeps on giving.
THIS is the exact indepth video I needed! A social psychologist is the perfect person to explain this to a Virgo who prefers deeply researched, near empirical data vs “anomalies driven to hysteria then assumed to be wide spread fact.” You rock, lady! 😎🤘🏾
Hanging bunches of tobacco leaves in wardrobes has resulted in no holes in clothes therein. It is supposedly what Persian rug merchants used to protect their rugs. But the problem now seems to be that we all just own toooooo much stuff- it fills our homes and infests our cities- unlike in the past when people owned less and had time to properly air and sun and look after everything 🥺
Yes. The focus on GDP and advertising is ruining people's lives. Those in the developed world have far too much "stuff", while others struggle to survive.
I can't express how much I appreciate your scientific approach to videos like this (scouring peer-reviewed and scholarly sources for accurate information and dispelling common myths). There is so much misinformation floating around and I think it's largely because a lot of people don't know how OR don't care/want to search through scientific research data.
Oh please! Anybody can make a study .... unless they are stupid enough to delegate to 3rd party and trust they are smart enough to figure it out ...... and they never do...... they never find the cause but they are always good at asking the government for $ to find it ..... a scam
@@maragrace820 Lady, get your head out of the conspiracy theory rabbit hole. This comment makes it painfully clear that most people don't understand how peer-reviewed research works. Including you. There is no government conspiracy. BIG CEDAR isn't paying anyone to fudge study results.
I guess then I'm one of those rare cases. A severe moth infestation occured (I'm assuming) when one of our cats was ill and vomiting and urinating on stored wool rugs. During this time over a period of 3 years i had become very ill and physically incapacitated. If my husband knew about it he didnt say a word. He also does not clean. Now I'm dealing with this and i can tell you what i have found. And I'll add I've made and investigated all of these by myself. I got to know the larvae up close with one of the wool rugs that was completely destroyed. Very little fabric was left to hide them in some areas. And it's rather morbidly fascinating after i got over the initial revulsion. I know the larvae can chew through almost anything. They can chew through antlers and horns as you said so certainly this is true. I have it so severe i have had to put my tobacco in old plastic prescription bottles. And guess what they borrowed into the seam of the bottle and chewed through just under the lid. They LOVE tobacco. I even tried a glass jelly jar with a metal cap. Yep. Same M.O. they got in. They do prefer following straight lines. I know they're in the cigarette because the end of it will have a bent indent at the seam and eventually one will make its way up to the filter to form its cocoon. There will be a dark spot on the filter paper and upon lighting the cigarette the smoke is thick, heavy and tastes like utter crap. People i told thought i was nuts and at the time i couldn't prove it. Now i have a Carson Microbrite 120x magnifier if anyone is in doubt!! Upon squishing the paper and bit of tobacco (or whatever fabric) they are cocooned in under magnification you will see the blood and always this yellow goo. Another thing I'd like to share is I found them living in and on the clothes hangers themselves. Plastic, metal and wood alike. Well you likely won't see the larvae but evidence of them. To check spray vinegar on the hanger and listen if it fizzes. It may start to bubble at the seams if really filthy. Other tips: -Vinegar is a godsend for killing them. -Use a 60x magnification to search for the little holes and the excrement left behind. On the hangers, the clothes, everything. -Also dark brownish sticky patches not sure if from where the eggs were laid. ? -Spraying vinegar on suspected infested towels/fabric actually reveals the filthy spots while killing larvae and eggs. Hope this helps someone. Ive had to search long and hard and it shouldn't be that way. Why there is missing information on this subject is frustrating and somewhat suspicious imo. Thank you so much as yours is the FIRST detailed account I've found. I've spent over 5 months & countless hours on the internet on this now. Should have checked UA-cam first!! Very grateful in #8 Minneapolis MN!
@@gbear768 vinegar does seem to kill them effectively, i have had luck using it in the wash & general cleaning. Unfortunately they are survivors & like other insects seem to become resiliant to certain man made chemicals. Somehow not vinegar which is a blessing Now that isopropyl alcohol is available again i have been using that with lots of success. But can only use that on some surfaces & not many fabrics - it will fade the dye. Be sure it's colorfast. I read one persons comment which struck me odd- he stressed that they have a very good sense of smell. I wonder how he knows this but it could be why the larvae hate isopropyl alcohol. I discovered the larvae are phosphorescent. Using a UV/black light they will show up neon green. But i have also seen blue & a salmon color. A warning -only use the light in a small area at a time or if you are mentally prepared to handle seeing a large number.
So we can’t spot the moth larvae in our clothes without the uv light right? And what happened if we wear the clothes? Do they die or still there? And do they feed on our body and hair?
My parents were tailors and only used the most exclusive wools and silks. I can assure you the eat clean wool. They also have a good palate. The higher the price of the wool, the fastest it was destroyed. Parents used many tricks, one of which was to put newspapers between fabrics.
I agree this is a well done presentation BUT agree with you, Mara Grace. The moths will definitely eat clean wool especially cashmere! I have had the experience with unworn brand spanking new and clean items being a banquet for the moths. I really believe that those items are already infected with eggs when you buy them. No scientific data to back up my claim, just experience.
I started crocheting recently and I have a moth problem, and just had mentally 0 energy to deal with it, but also too anxious to leave my yarn to lay around so I store it in a suitcase... And come to check every few weeks if it's safe.. I just keep remembering my favorite cashmere sweater with 16 bite-sized holes rotting away in my grandma's apartment. Gotta finally drink 3 cups of coffee and start tackling this 😂
Thanks. Thumbs-Up. Lots of helpful information for a guy in Australia, where it is hot all the time. I have only a small number of warm/winter woollen items (because Australia is hot) so those items are usually stored away long-term in an off-site storage facility that I rarely visit. I have just discovered that much of it is now damaged. I am now in the process of paying a hefty bill for dry cleaning, mending, invisible mending and tight-fitting air-proof storage tubs. One thing I have noticed _for sure_ -- *my wool items that were dry cleaned **_before_** being stored got targeted **_far less_** than any worn or soiled woollen items.* Dry clean *everything* _before_ storage!
Yes it helps if items are clean. But they still eventually begin eating clean items if infestation is severe. This is what I am noticing. I read they need the vitamin B6 found in human skin/hair oil to survive and die after two weeks without. I am sure the same vitamin can be found in animal skin/hair tho along with this all the info i have found is greatly lacking.
i'll be honest.... i came here not expecting much more than 'use cedar balls' but this was fascinating - i feel like i've just sat through a lecture at university. Loved it! thanks for putting so much research into this i never thought id learn so much about a moth!
Superb information and thanks!! This show would have been really helpful about 4 years ago when we had a serious infestation and we live out in the country. In all it took us about 3 years to clear them out. Their main breeding ground was a couple of Persian rugs in areas under furniture!! Now these get moved and vacuumed almost weekly. Imagine that I found a load inside my sheepskin slipper in the mudroom closet at end of summer when I went to get them for use in the fall. A video on carpet beetles and silver fish would be so welcome. My middle daughter who lives in Vancouver is having her place professionally fumigated for silverfish as they have them everywhere and her wardrobe is all cotton and linen!!
Thank you so much for the info! I recently moved into a studio apartment by myself and found a nasty infestation in the carpet. There were hundreds of moths and larvae all around the floor and I was horrified to have not realized this before signing the lease. I spent lots of time googling ways to get rid of the infestation but so far your video has been the most informative. I’m a wuss when it comes to insects and living in an infested apartment alone seems like a nightmare. Your video helped me understand these creatures a bit more and made me a little less afraid. Thank you
Such good information. Thank you for doing the research for us. I live in hot, humid south Louisiana, so it's a climate that moths love. But, the house is air-conditioned, and I like to do a good closet clean out every spring and fall. My wool items like sweaters get washed before I pack them up (in plastic storage bags) in the spring. My hand-knit socks, which I do wear year-round, get washed and put away on a regular basis. So far, so good.
this is such great, detailed, and what seems very well researched information! thank you very much! also: i LOVE that you start out with stating the case FOR the moths, and their vital role in the ecosystem.
I was going to buy a yarn shop-but they had moths in the yarn on the shelves. I know you say it’s okay to set clean wool out, like at a yarn shop, but it’s not. You could see moths on the walls that were shaded by the shelves. As a customer, several times an employee would wind a skein that would explode-they would quickly get a fresh skein and act like they weren’t surprised.
I the UK we have Bio washing powder and Non Bio. Bio is for getting serious dirt out of fabric. If you wash woollens with BIO it will also cause lots of small holes.
I am aware this video is from some years ago, but I was wondering if you could paste the study with the oils, that I would love to read in full? thank you! very informative!
Kristine, thanks for such an informative post about clothes moths. I also appreciate you debunking several common myths that just aren't true. What shocked me the most was seeing the small city I live in, Santa Fe, at number #4 on the list! Even though Santa Fe is a cold and dry climate and less densely populated than other cities, we still have a fair share of clothes moths living within the area. I've lost at least 4 or 5 sweaters during the past few years due to improper storage techniques and due to not cleaning my sweaters before storing them (for longer periods of time). I actually enjoyed learning about them, they are a fascinating insect that unfortunately enjoy feeding on natural yarns and fabrics. I keep my sweaters in sealed plastic bags currently but I feel I will invest in the same see-through bags you use for storage. Thanks again for your video, look forward to continue learning more.
Thank you for a thorough and quite informative talk on this universal problem. You gained a subscriber because you know what you are talking about. Proud to say I watched right to the end while taking notes. A wardrobe influencer suggests baking at 140 deg. F for 30 min. Feel free to comment.
Great episode. I enjoyed your explanation of the availability heuristic. And I am **thrilled** at the reassurance of putting my stash out on display. I hate keeping it in plastic bags and I know that has contributed to my not using my stash more effectively. I have been envious of your stash display in your videos. But, most of all, I enjoyed your debunking the myths and providing troubleshooting recommendations.
Such an in depth study! Kris thank you for the time and effort that went into making this video. It was very helpful and cleared up many questions. Good to see your loveliness! Cheryl
Thank you so much for this complete and trustful information about the cothmoth. We will follow your advices seriously to get red of the invastation in our Appartment.
Thank you for another fabulously informational video, Kristine! As a resident of NYC I'm happy to hear that I'm not alone with my clothes moth "infestation"! I spend over $100 a year on pheromone traps, and change them out when I see a moth fly by - usually about every three months, when I'm supposed to change the traps anyway. I usually find 1 - 3 caught in a few of the traps every time, but never more than that and not in all of them. I have rarely seen any holes in anything so I don't know where they're feeding, but they seem to live in my cookbooks and maybe some small stuffed animals which I don't want to get rid of but I put in a hot dryer every once in a while - now I'll try the freezer as well. I think they also come in through the passive ventilation system in the bathroom. I keep my stash mostly in soft sided clear plastic zippered containers from the Container Store, and I've never seen a moth in there. I'm not a very good housekeeper, and I have cats, so there's a lot of fur and dust and probably stray pieces of cat food deeply under furniture or the radiators and I can't be bothered.....Anyway, I'd rather have my few moths than cockroaches or mice.... Question: Are you saying that cedar sprays and wood blocks etc. are not effective at all unless they're in tightly sealed containers? I try to refresh those when I think of it and whenever I put away seasonal clothes, (I do put my woolen things in ziplock bags) but I also just place them in drawers and closets, etc. Thanks again for the great video. Always learn so much from you.
Great and informative video- thanks so. much. Are sprays for flying insects effective if sprayed on coats? Or in closets and drawers? Do these sprays kill the eggs or other stages of the moth?
What a stunningly perfect presentation and informative video. I’m impressed. Never would one expect to be so totally absorbed by the subject of clothes moths. Can honestly say it was enjoyable. Thank you. 😊
Hi Kristine! Thank you very much for taking so much time to make this very documented video. My own experience has been that moths have definitely come from my stash: the infestation came from fibre I received from the UK, and spread to some wool stored next to it (luckily, it was my basket of cheap Drops yarn, not the fancy stuff!). I live in a very dry climate so I had never had an issue before, and wasn't prepared for it! I did swap my fabric bins for plastic boxes with lids because the infestation started from my stash... Thank you for the clarification about freezing vs. sun exposure. I did freeze everything but then thawed the yarn and fibre outside in the full sunlight for several days, so hopefully it is safe! I am making a checklist of things to do thanks to your advice. Thank you again!
Hello Isabelle! So nice to hear from you, but I am very sorry to hear about your moth problems. I do hope things are under control now. Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. I'm a big fan of your videos, too. 💜💜💜
Absolutely comprehensive! Thank you so VERY much! Answered all my questions and More! BWT weevils totally freak me too since I bake a lot. I try to keep seldom used flours in my deep freeze for moth prevention as well as keeping longer.
This video came to my attention in a timely manner, I wasn't even searching for it. My husband and I just came back from a month long trip. We had the house shut up and it was HOT here in our county. In fact it was record breaking. When we returned it was a mess of moths inside. I am still traumatized by it all. The clean up was horrific for me as I have a fear of worms and wiggly things. I NEVER want to experience that again. They did not go for my yarn but my favorite blanket and some old towels and linens and bags of rice were also infested. I wonder if we had two types of moths or do clothes moths go for rice too??? Anyway. Thanks for the video!
Thank you so much for this video Kristine. I had moths this year, they are not that rare in old Montreal buildings. I got rid of the infestation by shaking and laying everything in the sun and then putting all my woollens and yarn the oven at the lowest heat for 30 minutes. It takes less time that doing the freeze - thaw cycle and it was very effective. Since I was moving just after, I got a clean start in the new hose without those little critters.
Wow !!! Thank you very much Kristine , I have been learning a lot from your channel. It always seems to prove that there are a lot of things that you can learn from you tube . Even if you can't go to collage to learn . I am a very learner and it helps me to keep on going back and listening to your channels all the time.
You saved me a lot of effort & money because I was planning on making cedarwood planks to put in all my drawers! Thank you! I'm going to buy some citronella oil & pheromone traps to try to get rid of some, until I can whittle away at my piles of laundry.
Thank you so much for taking the time to so carefully and thoroughly research clothes moths. My husband collects vintage wool jackets and shirts and recently discovered an infestation in his closet. He gave some really great ideas for handling and managing it.
Are you still noticing a problem with the moth larvae? I am' getting the impression I will have to throw everything out. May try fumigating with the dry ice, if the ice company is open during this time. Thank you
@@askalice7222 We've had success with the Safers clothes moths traps and drycleaning everything and putting nothing that hasn't been cleaned in the closet. It's an ongoing process.
Thank you Kristine. I have some 50-year-old linen and wool hangings embroidered with wool and silk, plus velvet applique and beads that I am donating to several museums. However, they can't take them for another 4-5 months. They are wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and are being stored in cardboard boxes in my bedroom. Most are about 7 x9 feet, so they are hard to "move around" and even to inspect which everyone says I should do. (I am 83 years old so moving anything is difficult.) I had one hanging dry-cleaned, but it puckered some of the appliques and either stained or brought out a stain on a piece of velvet), so I am loath to do more dry-cleaning. If I use the dry ice method that you suggested, will the dry ice hurt the fabric? Since they will need to be folded or rolled to fit into a 30-gallon bag, will the dry ice fumes get to all the fabric? Or do you have any other suggestions? I am panicking since I have been entrusted with these beautiful works of art and don't want them ruined before they can find proper homes. I would greatly appreciate any assistance ASAP.
A few years ago here in UK I bought a sheep fleece at a farmers/landowners fair. I did open it and have a look, testing it for any weaknesses. I washed it as soon as I got home and imagine my horror the net day when my clean fleece was covered in moths, both larvae and mature! There was only one way that fleece went! It was a pity as it was a really nice fleece. After that we had quite an infestation and I was continually worried about my fleeces, spun yarn and knitted garments. It has taken years to feel confident. I do store my washed fleeces in vacuum bags. I seem to have no problems now but I had heard that the vacuum kills any larvae due to the lack of oxygen. Is this true? Whether it is or not, it seems to work. Moving house to a place with new furniture and carpets I am sure helped as well! We are in a heatwave (not something we are used to here in UK!) and I was attracted to this video as the situation with warmth is just the thing to bring them out!! Thanks for this wonderful, informative video
Wow! Very well researched. I really appreciate the thorough work you have done on this topic and I will be keeping the link to this video in my files for future reference. Thank you.
Awesome thank you for all the information. I always kept my yarn open in the air. Just found a skein with the adult in it. So going to go through the rest and pray I won’t see the larvae etc. was thinking of putting all my yarn into bags and put it out to barn for the winter as it usually does get cold here. However I hear you said it has to go through temperature changes. So now questioning my thought on doing this. For now I am looking through and see what the damages are….oh I am wondering about silverfish now too? Humm what do they look like etc. I’ll google it:-) Thanks for all the info informative video. Thank you.
Thanks so much for this video - best by far that I've found. So many "old wives tale" so called "solutions" to the problem out there, it's great to have some scientific info to deal with the problem. I'd had trouble finding cedar chips and it's good to know that isn't a solution, though they do smell better than moth balls! Mom moved to assisted living and brought her moths with her inadvertently. Trying to resolve the problem was simpler once I realized most of the clothes were cotton or synthetic fiber, so I just had to deal with those with wool. I ran them through the dryer and haven't seen them in her room since. But one cotton shirt seemed to have what looked like eggs on it, I just couldn't tell if it was wear on the fabric or infestation.
I have a bunch of Larvae in my room. I get them every year, and they eventually turn into moths. The thing is, there isn't much I can do about it. All the places they are spawning, are behind very heavy objects in my room. All the corners are blocked off from vacuuming, same for the walls, as well. In order to fully get them out of my room, I need to practically move everything out of my room and vacuum. I essentially screwed. Especially since my room has a lot of stuff in it, and it's smaller than the average person's room.
This is the first time I’ve ever had these things and the larvae are under every piece of my furniture where I’m unable to vacuum. Yes, very hard to do anything about situation unless you move everything out.
Good info, thanks. I'll also recommend isopropyl alcohol used in a spray bottle with adjustable nozzle, allowing more direct targeting of moths, flies, and such. Flies are notoriously swift, moths of course not in the same league, but a well directed spray of isopropyl alcohol will easily knock either of them out. It's perfectly clean and vaporizes quickly.
👍👍💖Thank you so very much for your great video. Answered a lot of questions I had about clothing moths. Also, if you have done a video on carpet beetles I would love to see that. Again, thank you much for sharing this wonderful video with everyone.
Thank you for such a thorough and informative video. I live in NYC, have an extremely large wardrobe that takes up an entire room on clothing racks and every once in a while I think about moths and get freaked out. 90% of my clothes are polyester (all Japanese garments). I have very little wool and no cashmere. After watching your video, I will make sure I vacuum that room more often and check those wool pieces. I will probably order the clothing moth traps out of curiosity. Thanks again!!
Always enjoy your podcasts; looking forward to the next one! I learned a lot about the clothes moths today; my daughter who lives in Miinneapolis, MN, has had a problem with her clothes; she lives in an older home and the closets are small and dark.
another wonderful informative show We were infested several years ago when my mother in-law stored some of her clothing at our house it was a mess. they even ate a beautiful Navajo rug that as draped on the back of a loveseat in a seldom used room. We used bug bombs through out the house once a week for 3 weeks It did the trick but so much was ruined We live in Colorado but the moths were imported from New Jersey
Seriously we have lots of birds and squirrels here but my carpet has been attacked. I was listening to this lady and have the greatest respect for her. Did she mention white vinegar? I want to stay away from chemicals if I can. We only watch tv in this room take of our shoes and dogs are not allowed, so I would say it's pretty clean. I don't understand why the cases where all over my polyester sofa. The house has been empty for 1 year now whilst we had building work done. I have throughly vacuumed every day now for 5 days and the signs are reducing. I even put a bung in the cleaner pipe so they can't get out. It really is a nightmare. 😮
That was very interesting. I do not own much in the way of wool clothing or blankets but do use feather pillows and have never considered them. I will make sure to shake them and place outside occasionally.
would love an equally intensive study on carpet beetles - it's surprising to me how little people understand about these critters and how much damage they can do --- and how prevalent they are - thanks for all the hard work
My quality of life has changed in such a horrible way ... I live in the East Coast and this past summer have noticed carpet beetles on the outside of my window and some have successfully made their way in the window pane ... So disgusted, no more luxury of hanging my tops on hangers anymore :(
*Kristine, here is a topic on wool moths that **_really_** needs to be discussed or explained due to the prevalence of conflicting information, so please help:* if you discover moth damage such as holes, should you repair the holes and then have the item/s dry cleaned, or should you do the dry cleaning _first?_ (Even dry cleaners can't agree on the topic.) One dry cleaner said I should dry clean first. He said that will reveal whether a garment with 3 holes may in fact have 23 holes, at which point the item is declared not worth fixing. However the dry cleaner I currently use _always_ does the repairs _first._ *Who's right?* (I think the important thing to note is that moth damage doesn't always create a see-through hole - it just thins-out the wool without breaking all the way through. After dry cleaning, will those thin areas become actual full see-through holes?)
How does the theory of the availability heuristic relate to the concept of satisficing in human information behavior studies? I find it really frustrating how much many fiber artists cling very stubbornly to inexpensive pleasant essential oil drops put on cotton balls, small donuts of cedar that have been sitting on a warehouse shelf for several years before purchase, or lavender sachets that get reused year after year… and resist facts that contradict the erroneous answers they obtained long ago from brief searches turning up non-credible ideas presented with the semblance of authority from unreputable sources. I keep hearing that webbing moths are vastly more common. I live in Seattle and have been helping acquaintances recover from severe protein fiber infestations for several decades since an early job doing rug/carpet/upholstery stain removal and discovering textile science as a now lifelong passion. I haven’t once encountered webbing moths. Case making moths are sadly common (personal availability heuristic - people know I want to hear about infestations and volunteer in working through options for remediation.) I also have not encountered carpet beetles here yet. My main advantage in using clear gasket tubs is that it makes it easier for me to see the contents often and remember how long it’s been since I opened it and examined the fiber and moved air through them, expose them to sunlight frequently, and it simplifies quarantine of definitely or potentially moth-exposed protein fibers I’ve been given to experiment on. I don’t have large scale peer-reviewed high validity/confidence research to confirm my belief, but I have been using moth-targeted water-soluble/evaporative pyrethrin soaks to assist other low income fiber/fabric artists who can’t afford exterminators and want to save a small quantity of sentimental fiber (such as chiengora, vicuña, etc) or the last raw shearing from one of their now-passed favorite fiber livestock, such as fleeces that won awards at a sanctioned show. I live in an early 1940s run down house in a densely populated lower-income area of one of those top 10 cities you list. I have encountered case-making moth infestations in at least 25 different acquaintances’ experience over the last 15 years or so since I started following credible information sources and peer-reviewed publications related to the topic of protein fiber processing, use, and other challenges such as archival protection and restoration. I’m on the verge of jumping into the fiber microscopy rabbit hole and I’m working with a global nonprofit promoting diversion of discarded mammal hair from the waste stream and study of the uses for human/animal hair for its support of healthy plant biomes, moisture distribution, extremely slow nitrogen release, and as pest-repellent desertification-remediation mulch and especially the exciting applications of mammal hair mats in petroleum oil/fuel capture, heavy metal ion capture in wastewater treatment, and radioactive material capture at contaminated sites, etc. mammal hair is remarkably adsorptive, damaged hair even more so. Anyway I’m deeply grateful for your effort putting out accurate information consistent with current scientific evidence, and I love that you are coming from a social science perspective. Fiber, fiber arts, genetic evolution, the development of understanding textile science and how it connects to the way we humans connect socially, communicate through clothing, affect our environments, etc… fiber and working with it seems to be all inextricably woven together with human development and fundamental facilitation of civilization. This video is great. If you read any part of my rambling all over the place (I coined the term #Fibrarian to describe my passion a while back) about the fabric of a seemingly infinite quantity of relevant fields and facts… If you even just skimmed this comment, thank you! All that to say, discovering this video was exciting for me. I am grateful for all your work. I know well how hard scripting/composition/capture/edit of videos can be. You seriously rock, IMO.
Very impressed by your video, most of my tops have small tiny holes opposite where my belly button would be ( they've been thrown out ) ... I DO NOT HAVE MOTHS I know for a fact but do have Carpet Beetles as I have noticeably found this past summer .
Renee how do you know it’s carpet beetles .. I find holes in cotton clothing and even cotton polyester blends Something is eating the stitching on my clothes I don’t have anything woolen in my clothes I never see anything though like no larvae and they are eating clothes in my drawers as well as wardrobe. I would like to know about carpet beetle as well we had it last year with our woolen carpet but we have synthetic carpet now . I never see any insects but something is eating my clothing
Found several holes today in my new cashmere sweater that I placed in my closet for the last couple months. So sad. Not fixable. I got it on a super sale too.
Thank you for a very informative and fascinating episode! I love your presentation, it is intelligent and educational... plus there's lots of talk about knitting - it's all good!
Thank you for this video. I looked it up because I found 30 years worth of handknit sweaters, kept in a cedar chest, effectively shredded. I know what to do going forward. But hearing that my experience is "rare" is kind of heartbreaking.
Yes, carpet beetles would be good. Thank you for your talk on moths. FYI: There are also people who have horror stories about moths and do not say anything.
How refreshing you are! What I mean is, how utterly relieving & even inspiring are your honestly-informed (actual research and comparing and listing of resources, per say) comments. Please keep your commentaries going on UA-cam. THANK You; you have a new fan. And if you can handle parasitic larvae up close and squeamishly personal for goodness sake, feel free to attempt what no US doctors or lab techs/test-or surgeons-can identify. Click my icon and check my terribly made personal, home [parasite] videos. PS. To slow the parasite activity for easier viewing, hit .25 in playnack settings.
Two things occurred before we discovered moths in our house: 1. Guest’s dog would be brought here, and 2. We had a new set of couches. I would move the couches to sweep under and I’d see one or two months running around. This was before I knew they were actually moths! Then it would be 3 or more. I wouldn’t see them anywhere but under there, now I see them on the ceilings. I placed a moth catcher on top of our upper kitchen cabinets and it’s got at least 8 atm. I know they are clothes moths bc of their colour. It’s frustrating having to deal with them.
Very informative, thanks for sharing. Yes, more videos on yarn pest please. This summer I found a partially used skein of 100% acrylic yarn in my daughters closest, as I was winding it into a cake for her out came many larvae, of what kind of moth I have no clue, but they do get into100% acrylic (they don't live long) this is the second time I've ran across this in my lifetime of using yarn. I've also found it many times in estate sale yarn as well (the remains of dead larvae in acrylic yarn skeins).
I have a severe moth infestation - seen quite a few around in increasing numbers, but didn't realise the amount of damage they have done. Much of the carpet has been eaten away from the walls, and lots of holes in all clothes. I wondered why little holes were appearing in things. I never connected the dots soon enough it appears. Anyway, I'm taking no chances. They are all over the apartment. Everything is being heat treated and ALL fabrics vacuum sealed away when not in use. Using powerful insecticides on carpets as there are thousands of caterpillars hidden in the corners and skirting boards and those are what do all the damage, as they already have done.
Thank you so much for this video you do not know how what you have helped me! These freaking things have wreaked havoc in my life. But not no more thank you so much
TY Christine, interesting subject, especially the information about mothballs. Mother never liked the smell of it, so we did not have mothballs at home and with the information that you provided us. However, we did have the "citychess", personally, i didn't like the smell of it either. Perhaps because i'm allergic to it
I beg to differ on one thing: Moths can and will eat through cotton if it's mixed in the same location as other fabrics. I have holes in some of my cotton and even synthetic clothes caused by the (very visible) moth infestation I am fighting. It's probably because they were mixed in the laundry basket with other things. There is no evidence however of any other types of insects in the apartment. I've seen moths flying out of cotton based fabrics in my apartment as well, and laying eggs there.
Hello I know this video is very long ago but can you help me with a few questions? I found a few larvae with the casing in my room. But I have a very hard time to find where it came from. I got my clothes washed but does washing remove them? And if it doesn’t, what happens if I wear that clothes that might have larvae just hatched that I couldn’t see? I fear of worm and wiggling things so I’m super freaking out right now. Do they feed on my body and my hair?? Or they would die after I wear the clothes?
Also how do I distinguish between lint on my black clothes vs moth egg or larvae? It’s super hard to tell now if there are dust on my clothes/bed or they’re the larvae 😭
I have a lot of holes in my cotton t-shirts and don't know what the problem is. Any advice? They hang in my closet. I don't know if its the washing machine or if they are just getting old. They are my everyday clothes for around the house were i am most of the time n they get alot of use. But all of them seem to have holes. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks for your wonderful helpful videos.
😮🫣😳all the more reason to use everything we have in our homes, not store things away, pare down our wardrobes and better look after everything we love. That’s it- I’m going to do a massive purge tomorrow morning-- Minimalism here I come 🤗
Very informative
0:00: 👗 Debunking myths about clothes moths and how to prevent damage to your clothing and knitted items.
5:11: 🦋 Research shows clothes moth larvae are not attracted to clean wool, indicating it is safe from damage.
11:24: 🦋 Clothes moths are more problematic in larger cities across America, but also present in various environments.
16:08: 🦋 Preventing clothes moths infestation: tips and common sources of entry.
21:38: 🦋 Effectiveness of different treatments on clothes moth larvae damage prevention studied.
25:56: 🦋 Inaccurate perceptions of clothes moth infestations are fueled by availability heuristic and emotional contagion.
30:46: 🦋 Prevent clothes moths by inspecting, cleaning, and using pheromone traps in storage areas.
35:42: 👕 Identifying fabric damage causes: mold, insects, rodents, not necessarily clothes moths.
40:47: ⚠ Risks of Using Mothballs and Benefits of Moth-Proof Wool
Recap by Tammy AI
Thanks!
Two years later, and I keep coming back to this video again and again and sending it to people who tell me to ward off moths by putting cedar chips in my closet. This video is the gift that keeps on giving.
THIS is the exact indepth video I needed! A social psychologist is the perfect person to explain this to a Virgo who prefers deeply researched, near empirical data vs “anomalies driven to hysteria then assumed to be wide spread fact.” You rock, lady! 😎🤘🏾
I'm cursed with the same sign, and I agree 😊
Hanging bunches of tobacco leaves in wardrobes has resulted in no holes in clothes therein. It is supposedly what Persian rug merchants used to protect their rugs. But the problem now seems to be that we all just own toooooo much stuff- it fills our homes and infests our cities- unlike in the past when people owned less and had time to properly air and sun and look after everything 🥺
That makes sense, thanks.
Lavender and Cedar are more palatable than tobacco
@@annalisa14 tell that to all the tobacco addicts
Yes. The focus on GDP and advertising is ruining people's lives. Those in the developed world have far too much "stuff", while others struggle to survive.
I can't express how much I appreciate your scientific approach to videos like this (scouring peer-reviewed and scholarly sources for accurate information and dispelling common myths). There is so much misinformation floating around and I think it's largely because a lot of people don't know how OR don't care/want to search through scientific research data.
Oh please! Anybody can make a study .... unless they are stupid enough to delegate to 3rd party and trust they are smart enough to figure it out ...... and they never do...... they never find the cause but they are always good at asking the government for $ to find it ..... a scam
@@maragrace820 Lady, get your head out of the conspiracy theory rabbit hole. This comment makes it painfully clear that most people don't understand how peer-reviewed research works. Including you. There is no government conspiracy. BIG CEDAR isn't paying anyone to fudge study results.
I guess then I'm one of those rare cases.
A severe moth infestation occured (I'm assuming) when one of our cats was ill and vomiting and urinating on stored wool rugs. During this time over a period of 3 years i had become very ill and physically incapacitated. If my husband knew about it he didnt say a word. He also does not clean.
Now I'm dealing with this and i can tell you what i have found. And I'll add I've made and investigated all of these by myself. I got to know the larvae up close with one of the wool rugs that was completely destroyed. Very little fabric was left to hide them in some areas. And it's rather morbidly fascinating after i got over the initial revulsion.
I know the larvae can chew through almost anything.
They can chew through antlers and horns as you said so certainly this is true.
I have it so severe i have had to put my tobacco in old plastic prescription bottles. And guess what they borrowed into the seam of the bottle and chewed through just under the lid. They LOVE tobacco. I even tried a glass jelly jar with a metal cap. Yep. Same M.O. they got in. They do prefer following straight lines.
I know they're in the cigarette because the end of it will have a bent indent at the seam and eventually one will make its way up to the filter to form its cocoon. There will be a dark spot on the filter paper and upon lighting the cigarette the smoke is thick, heavy and tastes like utter crap. People i told thought i was nuts and at the time i couldn't prove it. Now i have a Carson Microbrite 120x magnifier if anyone is in doubt!!
Upon squishing the paper and bit of tobacco (or whatever fabric) they are cocooned in under magnification you will see the blood and always this yellow goo.
Another thing I'd like to share is I found them living in and on the clothes hangers themselves. Plastic, metal and wood alike.
Well you likely won't see the larvae but evidence of them.
To check spray vinegar on the hanger and listen if it fizzes. It may start to bubble at the seams if really filthy.
Other tips:
-Vinegar is a godsend for killing them.
-Use a 60x magnification to search for the little holes and the excrement left behind. On the hangers, the clothes, everything. -Also dark brownish sticky patches not sure if from where the eggs were laid. ?
-Spraying vinegar on suspected infested towels/fabric actually reveals the filthy spots while killing larvae and eggs.
Hope this helps someone. Ive had to search long and hard and it shouldn't be that way. Why there is missing information on this subject is frustrating and somewhat suspicious imo.
Thank you so much as yours is the FIRST detailed account I've found. I've spent over 5 months & countless hours on the internet on this now. Should have checked UA-cam first!!
Very grateful in #8 Minneapolis MN!
I researched every neglected tropical disease there was for years. Only to find out it was moths. Crazy lol
are you saying that vinegar kills them or just helps you find them?
@@gbear768 vinegar does seem to kill them effectively, i have had luck using it in the wash & general cleaning. Unfortunately they are survivors & like other insects seem to become resiliant to certain man made chemicals. Somehow not vinegar which is a blessing
Now that isopropyl alcohol is available again i have been using that with lots of success. But can only use that on some surfaces & not many fabrics - it will fade the dye. Be sure it's colorfast.
I read one persons comment which struck me odd- he stressed that they have a very good sense of smell. I wonder how he knows this but it could be why the larvae hate isopropyl alcohol.
I discovered the larvae are phosphorescent. Using a UV/black light they will show up neon green. But i have also seen blue & a salmon color. A warning -only use the light in a small area at a time or if you are mentally prepared to handle seeing a large number.
@@gbear768 white vinegar kills or dehydrates moths, but not the larvae
So we can’t spot the moth larvae in our clothes without the uv light right? And what happened if we wear the clothes? Do they die or still there? And do they feed on our body and hair?
My parents were tailors and only used the most exclusive wools and silks. I can assure you the eat clean wool. They also have a good palate. The higher the price of the wool, the fastest it was destroyed.
Parents used many tricks, one of which was to put newspapers between fabrics.
I agree this is a well done presentation BUT agree with you, Mara Grace. The moths will definitely eat clean wool especially cashmere! I have had the experience with unworn brand spanking new and clean items being a banquet for the moths. I really believe that those items are already infected with eggs when you buy them. No scientific data to back up my claim, just experience.
I started crocheting recently and I have a moth problem, and just had mentally 0 energy to deal with it, but also too anxious to leave my yarn to lay around so I store it in a suitcase... And come to check every few weeks if it's safe.. I just keep remembering my favorite cashmere sweater with 16 bite-sized holes rotting away in my grandma's apartment.
Gotta finally drink 3 cups of coffee and start tackling this 😂
Amazing! Thank you so much!! The only solid knowledge material I found so far!❤
Thanks. Thumbs-Up. Lots of helpful information for a guy in Australia, where it is hot all the time. I have only a small number of warm/winter woollen items (because Australia is hot) so those items are usually stored away long-term in an off-site storage facility that I rarely visit. I have just discovered that much of it is now damaged. I am now in the process of paying a hefty bill for dry cleaning, mending, invisible mending and tight-fitting air-proof storage tubs. One thing I have noticed _for sure_ -- *my wool items that were dry cleaned **_before_** being stored got targeted **_far less_** than any worn or soiled woollen items.* Dry clean *everything* _before_ storage!
Yes it helps if items are clean. But they still eventually begin eating clean items if infestation is severe. This is what I am noticing. I read they need the vitamin B6 found in human skin/hair oil to survive and die after two weeks without. I am sure the same vitamin can be found in animal skin/hair tho along with this all the info i have found is greatly lacking.
i'll be honest.... i came here not expecting much more than 'use cedar balls' but this was fascinating - i feel like i've just sat through a lecture at university. Loved it! thanks for putting so much research into this i never thought id learn so much about a moth!
Same😊
this is the best most comprehensive UA-cam I have ever UA-camd! Thank you so much Gill
Superb information and thanks!! This show would have been really helpful about 4 years ago when we had a serious infestation and we live out in the country. In all it took us about 3 years to clear them out. Their main breeding ground was a couple of Persian rugs in areas under furniture!! Now these get moved and vacuumed almost weekly. Imagine that I found a load inside my sheepskin slipper in the mudroom closet at end of summer when I went to get them for use in the fall. A video on carpet beetles and silver fish would be so welcome. My middle daughter who lives in Vancouver is having her place professionally fumigated for silverfish as they have them everywhere and her wardrobe is all cotton and linen!!
Thank you so much for the info! I recently moved into a studio apartment by myself and found a nasty infestation in the carpet. There were hundreds of moths and larvae all around the floor and I was horrified to have not realized this before signing the lease. I spent lots of time googling ways to get rid of the infestation but so far your video has been the most informative. I’m a wuss when it comes to insects and living in an infested apartment alone seems like a nightmare. Your video helped me understand these creatures a bit more and made me a little less afraid. Thank you
It may help you to feel a little better knowing that the larvae doesn’t bite and they don’t carry disease.
Thank you so much for dispelling common myths around these creatures. Very informative and helpful.
Such good information. Thank you for doing the research for us. I live in hot, humid south Louisiana, so it's a climate that moths love. But, the house is air-conditioned, and I like to do a good closet clean out every spring and fall. My wool items like sweaters get washed before I pack them up (in plastic storage bags) in the spring. My hand-knit socks, which I do wear year-round, get washed and put away on a regular basis. So far, so good.
this is such great, detailed, and what seems very well researched information! thank you very much!
also: i LOVE that you start out with stating the case FOR the moths, and their vital role in the ecosystem.
Thank you for the very in detail and informative video. I learned something new. Never dawned to me to see cloth moths as beneficial until today.
Very informative & well researched, thank you for uploading it to the tube.
I was going to buy a yarn shop-but they had moths in the yarn on the shelves. I know you say it’s okay to set clean wool out, like at a yarn shop, but it’s not. You could see moths on the walls that were shaded by the shelves. As a customer, several times an employee would wind a skein that would explode-they would quickly get a fresh skein and act like they weren’t surprised.
Thank you for sharing moth facts, this is great, as I always wondered the proper storage for my quilts and yarn.
I the UK we have Bio washing powder and Non Bio. Bio is for getting serious dirt out of fabric. If you wash woollens with BIO it will also cause lots of small holes.
I am aware this video is from some years ago, but I was wondering if you could paste the study with the oils, that I would love to read in full? thank you! very informative!
Thank you so much Kristine, greatly appreciated as I was feeling very daunted. Your comprehensive research is a gift to us all xx
Best clothes moth video I have found ...... very informative and useful. The explanation is excellent. Thank you.
Such a brilliant iformative video, thank you
Kristine, thanks for such an informative post about clothes moths. I also appreciate you debunking several common myths that just aren't true. What shocked me the most was seeing the small city I live in, Santa Fe, at number #4 on the list! Even though Santa Fe is a cold and dry climate and less densely populated than other cities, we still have a fair share of clothes moths living within the area. I've lost at least 4 or 5 sweaters during the past few years due to improper storage techniques and due to not cleaning my sweaters before storing them (for longer periods of time). I actually enjoyed learning about them, they are a fascinating insect that unfortunately enjoy feeding on natural yarns and fabrics. I keep my sweaters in sealed plastic bags currently but I feel I will invest in the same see-through bags you use for storage. Thanks again for your video, look forward to continue learning more.
You’re lucky you’re not in NYC like me. And yes, I have an infestation 😭
Thank you for a thorough and quite informative talk on this universal problem. You gained a subscriber because you know what you are talking about. Proud to say I watched right to the end while taking notes. A wardrobe influencer suggests baking at 140 deg. F for 30 min. Feel free to comment.
Great episode. I enjoyed your explanation of the availability heuristic. And I am **thrilled** at the reassurance of putting my stash out on display. I hate keeping it in plastic bags and I know that has contributed to my not using my stash more effectively. I have been envious of your stash display in your videos. But, most of all, I enjoyed your debunking the myths and providing troubleshooting recommendations.
Such an in depth study! Kris thank you for the time and effort that went into making this video. It was very helpful and cleared up many questions. Good to see your loveliness! Cheryl
Thank you for your video. I'm studying to get my pest control license. Very informative. This was very helpful!
Terrific! Unfortunately I needed this information at the beginning of the summer. But I am definitely going to implement the prevention methods.
I found this video very informative and helpful. I would appreciate a report on carpet beetles which are also a widespread problem. Thank you!
Thank you so much! I feel like this is the information I've been searching for but struggling to find. Thank you for your comprehensive perspectives!
Thank you so much for this complete and trustful information about the cothmoth. We will follow your advices seriously to get red of the invastation in our Appartment.
Thank you for another fabulously informational video, Kristine! As a resident of NYC I'm happy to hear that I'm not alone with my clothes moth "infestation"! I spend over $100 a year on pheromone traps, and change them out when I see a moth fly by - usually about every three months, when I'm supposed to change the traps anyway. I usually find 1 - 3 caught in a few of the traps every time, but never more than that and not in all of them. I have rarely seen any holes in anything so I don't know where they're feeding, but they seem to live in my cookbooks and maybe some small stuffed animals which I don't want to get rid of but I put in a hot dryer every once in a while - now I'll try the freezer as well. I think they also come in through the passive ventilation system in the bathroom. I keep my stash mostly in soft sided clear plastic zippered containers from the Container Store, and I've never seen a moth in there. I'm not a very good housekeeper, and I have cats, so there's a lot of fur and dust and probably stray pieces of cat food deeply under furniture or the radiators and I can't be bothered.....Anyway, I'd rather have my few moths than cockroaches or mice....
Question: Are you saying that cedar sprays and wood blocks etc. are not effective at all unless they're in tightly sealed containers? I try to refresh those when I think of it and whenever I put away seasonal clothes, (I do put my woolen things in ziplock bags) but I also just place them in drawers and closets, etc.
Thanks again for the great video. Always learn so much from you.
Great and informative video- thanks so. much. Are sprays for flying insects effective if sprayed on coats? Or in closets and drawers? Do these sprays kill the eggs or other stages of the moth?
What a stunningly perfect presentation and informative video. I’m impressed. Never would one expect to be so totally absorbed by the subject of clothes moths. Can honestly say it was enjoyable. Thank you. 😊
Hi Kristine! Thank you very much for taking so much time to make this very documented video. My own experience has been that moths have definitely come from my stash: the infestation came from fibre I received from the UK, and spread to some wool stored next to it (luckily, it was my basket of cheap Drops yarn, not the fancy stuff!). I live in a very dry climate so I had never had an issue before, and wasn't prepared for it! I did swap my fabric bins for plastic boxes with lids because the infestation started from my stash... Thank you for the clarification about freezing vs. sun exposure. I did freeze everything but then thawed the yarn and fibre outside in the full sunlight for several days, so hopefully it is safe! I am making a checklist of things to do thanks to your advice. Thank you again!
Hello Isabelle! So nice to hear from you, but I am very sorry to hear about your moth problems. I do hope things are under control now. Thank you so much for watching and taking the time to leave a comment. I'm a big fan of your videos, too. 💜💜💜
Hi! Did the freezing and then sunlight work? If not, what did? Thanks in advance!
Absolutely comprehensive! Thank you so VERY much! Answered all my questions and More!
BWT weevils totally freak me too since I bake a lot. I try to keep seldom used flours in my deep freeze for moth prevention as well as keeping longer.
This video came to my attention in a timely manner, I wasn't even searching for it. My husband and I just came back from a month long trip. We had the house shut up and it was HOT here in our county. In fact it was record breaking. When we returned it was a mess of moths inside. I am still traumatized by it all. The clean up was horrific for me as I have a fear of worms and wiggly things. I NEVER want to experience that again. They did not go for my yarn but my favorite blanket and some old towels and linens and bags of rice were also infested. I wonder if we had two types of moths or do clothes moths go for rice too??? Anyway. Thanks for the video!
Thank you so much for this video Kristine. I had moths this year, they are not that rare in old Montreal buildings. I got rid of the infestation by shaking and laying everything in the sun and then putting all my woollens and yarn the oven at the lowest heat for 30 minutes. It takes less time that doing the freeze - thaw cycle and it was very effective. Since I was moving just after, I got a clean start in the new hose without those little critters.
Hi! Sorry if this is a stupid question but, don't clothes catch fire in the oven? What worked to get rid of the infestation?
@@adaw332 It would catch on fire if the oven is at a high enough temperature. My oven was set at 170F and it worked perfectly.
Thank you for your informative discussion re:moths. So much research !!
Wow !!! Thank you very much Kristine , I have been learning a lot from your channel. It always seems to prove that there are a lot of things that you can learn from you tube . Even if you can't go to collage to learn . I am a very learner and it helps me to keep on going back and listening to your channels all the time.
You saved me a lot of effort & money because I was planning on making cedarwood planks to put in all my drawers! Thank you! I'm going to buy some citronella oil & pheromone traps to try to get rid of some, until I can whittle away at my piles of laundry.
Thank you so much for taking the time to so carefully and thoroughly research clothes moths. My husband collects vintage wool jackets and shirts and recently discovered an infestation in his closet. He gave some really great ideas for handling and managing it.
Are you still noticing a problem with the moth larvae? I am' getting the impression I will have to throw everything out. May try fumigating with the dry ice, if the ice company is open during this time. Thank you
@@askalice7222 We've had success with the Safers clothes moths traps and drycleaning everything and putting nothing that hasn't been cleaned in the closet. It's an ongoing process.
@@birdiehop Thank you for your response and for the info. and yes i feel it will be ongoing and going and going... all the best!
Thank you Kristine. I have some 50-year-old linen and wool hangings embroidered with wool and silk, plus velvet applique and beads that I am donating to several museums. However, they can't take them for another 4-5 months. They are wrapped in acid-free tissue paper and are being stored in cardboard boxes in my bedroom. Most are about 7 x9 feet, so they are hard to "move around" and even to inspect which everyone says I should do. (I am 83 years old so moving anything is difficult.) I had one hanging dry-cleaned, but it puckered some of the appliques and either stained or brought out a stain on a piece of velvet), so I am loath to do more dry-cleaning.
If I use the dry ice method that you suggested, will the dry ice hurt the fabric? Since they will need to be folded or rolled to fit into a 30-gallon bag, will the dry ice fumes get to all the fabric? Or do you have any other suggestions? I am panicking since I have been entrusted with these beautiful works of art and don't want them ruined before they can find proper homes. I would greatly appreciate any assistance ASAP.
Thank you so much for all of your time in making this video. It has helped so much.
A few years ago here in UK I bought a sheep fleece at a farmers/landowners fair. I did open it and have a look, testing it for any weaknesses. I washed it as soon as I got home and imagine my horror the net day when my clean fleece was covered in moths, both larvae and mature! There was only one way that fleece went! It was a pity as it was a really nice fleece. After that we had quite an infestation and I was continually worried about my fleeces, spun yarn and knitted garments. It has taken years to feel confident. I do store my washed fleeces in vacuum bags. I seem to have no problems now but I had heard that the vacuum kills any larvae due to the lack of oxygen. Is this true? Whether it is or not, it seems to work. Moving house to a place with new furniture and carpets I am sure helped as well! We are in a heatwave (not something we are used to here in UK!) and I was attracted to this video as the situation with warmth is just the thing to bring them out!! Thanks for this wonderful, informative video
Wow! Very well researched. I really appreciate the thorough work you have done on this topic and I will be keeping the link to this video in my files for future reference. Thank you.
Awesome thank you for all the information.
I always kept my yarn open in the air. Just found a skein with the adult in it. So going to go through the rest and pray I won’t see the larvae etc.
was thinking of putting all my yarn into bags and put it out to barn for the winter as it usually does get cold here. However I hear you said it has to go through temperature changes. So now questioning my thought on doing this.
For now I am looking through and see what the damages are….oh I am wondering about silverfish now too? Humm what do they look like etc. I’ll google it:-)
Thanks for all the info
informative video. Thank you.
Thanks so much for this video - best by far that I've found. So many "old wives tale" so called "solutions" to the problem out there, it's great to have some scientific info to deal with the problem. I'd had trouble finding cedar chips and it's good to know that isn't a solution, though they do smell better than moth balls! Mom moved to assisted living and brought her moths with her inadvertently. Trying to resolve the problem was simpler once I realized most of the clothes were cotton or synthetic fiber, so I just had to deal with those with wool. I ran them through the dryer and haven't seen them in her room since. But one cotton shirt seemed to have what looked like eggs on it, I just couldn't tell if it was wear on the fabric or infestation.
I have a bunch of Larvae in my room. I get them every year, and they eventually turn into moths. The thing is, there isn't much I can do about it. All the places they are spawning, are behind very heavy objects in my room. All the corners are blocked off from vacuuming, same for the walls, as well. In order to fully get them out of my room, I need to practically move everything out of my room and vacuum. I essentially screwed. Especially since my room has a lot of stuff in it, and it's smaller than the average person's room.
This is the first time I’ve ever had these things and the larvae are under every piece of my furniture where I’m unable to vacuum. Yes, very hard to do anything about situation unless you move everything out.
Good info, thanks. I'll also recommend isopropyl alcohol used in a spray bottle with adjustable nozzle, allowing more direct targeting of moths, flies, and such. Flies are notoriously swift, moths of course not in the same league, but a well directed spray of isopropyl alcohol will easily knock either of them out. It's perfectly clean and vaporizes quickly.
I feel blessed to have come upon this video 😊
👍👍💖Thank you so very much for your great video. Answered a lot of questions I had about clothing moths. Also, if you have done a video on carpet beetles I would love to see that. Again, thank you much for sharing this wonderful video with everyone.
Thank you for such a thorough and informative video. I live in NYC, have an extremely large wardrobe that takes up an entire room on clothing racks and every once in a while I think about moths and get freaked out. 90% of my clothes are polyester (all Japanese garments). I have very little wool and no cashmere. After watching your video, I will make sure I vacuum that room more often and check those wool pieces. I will probably order the clothing moth traps out of curiosity. Thanks again!!
Always enjoy your podcasts; looking forward to the next one! I learned a lot about the clothes moths today; my daughter who lives in Miinneapolis, MN, has had a problem with her clothes; she lives in an older home and the closets are small and dark.
another wonderful informative show We were infested several years ago when my mother in-law stored some of her clothing at our house it was a mess. they even ate a beautiful Navajo rug that as draped on the back of a loveseat in a seldom used room. We used bug bombs through out the house once a week for 3 weeks It did the trick but so much was ruined We live in Colorado but the moths were imported from New Jersey
whatk ind of bug bombs did you use for moths?
@@laurielynnrider9405 I used one from amazon. Comes in a can that when activates sprays up in the air we had to do it twice
So happy to see another one of your videos. I missed you! I have seen your presence on Instagram.
Seriously we have lots of birds and squirrels here but my carpet has been attacked. I was listening to this lady and have the greatest respect for her. Did she mention white vinegar? I want to stay away from chemicals if I can. We only watch tv in this room take of our shoes and dogs are not allowed, so I would say it's pretty clean. I don't understand why the cases where all over my polyester sofa. The house has been empty for 1 year now whilst we had building work done.
I have throughly vacuumed every day now for 5 days and the signs are reducing. I even put a bung in the cleaner pipe so they can't get out. It really is a nightmare. 😮
That was very interesting. I do not own much in the way of wool clothing or blankets but do use feather pillows and have never considered them. I will make sure to shake them and place outside occasionally.
would love an equally intensive study on carpet beetles - it's surprising to me how little people understand about these critters and how much damage they can do --- and how prevalent they are - thanks for all the hard work
Hi, and thanks so much! I will definitely put the topic on my list for a future video. 💙
My quality of life has changed in such a horrible way ... I live in the East Coast and this past summer have noticed carpet beetles on the outside of my window and some have successfully made their way in the window pane ... So disgusted, no more luxury of hanging my tops on hangers anymore :(
Very informative, thank you for the wealth of information you shared.
*Kristine, here is a topic on wool moths that **_really_** needs to be discussed or explained due to the prevalence of conflicting information, so please help:* if you discover moth damage such as holes, should you repair the holes and then have the item/s dry cleaned, or should you do the dry cleaning _first?_ (Even dry cleaners can't agree on the topic.) One dry cleaner said I should dry clean first. He said that will reveal whether a garment with 3 holes may in fact have 23 holes, at which point the item is declared not worth fixing. However the dry cleaner I currently use _always_ does the repairs _first._ *Who's right?* (I think the important thing to note is that moth damage doesn't always create a see-through hole - it just thins-out the wool without breaking all the way through. After dry cleaning, will those thin areas become actual full see-through holes?)
This is an extremely well made video - thank you for your hard work!!!
Best and most informative UA-cam video ever! Thank you so much!
How does the theory of the availability heuristic relate to the concept of satisficing in human information behavior studies? I find it really frustrating how much many fiber artists cling very stubbornly to inexpensive pleasant essential oil drops put on cotton balls, small donuts of cedar that have been sitting on a warehouse shelf for several years before purchase, or lavender sachets that get reused year after year… and resist facts that contradict the erroneous answers they obtained long ago from brief searches turning up non-credible ideas presented with the semblance of authority from unreputable sources.
I keep hearing that webbing moths are vastly more common. I live in Seattle and have been helping acquaintances recover from severe protein fiber infestations for several decades since an early job doing rug/carpet/upholstery stain removal and discovering textile science as a now lifelong passion. I haven’t once encountered webbing moths. Case making moths are sadly common (personal availability heuristic - people know I want to hear about infestations and volunteer in working through options for remediation.) I also have not encountered carpet beetles here yet.
My main advantage in using clear gasket tubs is that it makes it easier for me to see the contents often and remember how long it’s been since I opened it and examined the fiber and moved air through them, expose them to sunlight frequently, and it simplifies quarantine of definitely or potentially moth-exposed protein fibers I’ve been given to experiment on.
I don’t have large scale peer-reviewed high validity/confidence research to confirm my belief, but I have been using moth-targeted water-soluble/evaporative pyrethrin soaks to assist other low income fiber/fabric artists who can’t afford exterminators and want to save a small quantity of sentimental fiber (such as chiengora, vicuña, etc) or the last raw shearing from one of their now-passed favorite fiber livestock, such as fleeces that won awards at a sanctioned show. I live in an early 1940s run down house in a densely populated lower-income area of one of those top 10 cities you list. I have encountered case-making moth infestations in at least 25 different acquaintances’ experience over the last 15 years or so since I started following credible information sources and peer-reviewed publications related to the topic of protein fiber processing, use, and other challenges such as archival protection and restoration. I’m on the verge of jumping into the fiber microscopy rabbit hole and I’m working with a global nonprofit promoting diversion of discarded mammal hair from the waste stream and study of the uses for human/animal hair for its support of healthy plant biomes, moisture distribution, extremely slow nitrogen release, and as pest-repellent desertification-remediation mulch and especially the exciting applications of mammal hair mats in petroleum oil/fuel capture, heavy metal ion capture in wastewater treatment, and radioactive material capture at contaminated sites, etc. mammal hair is remarkably adsorptive, damaged hair even more so.
Anyway I’m deeply grateful for your effort putting out accurate information consistent with current scientific evidence, and I love that you are coming from a social science perspective. Fiber, fiber arts, genetic evolution, the development of understanding textile science and how it connects to the way we humans connect socially, communicate through clothing, affect our environments, etc… fiber and working with it seems to be all inextricably woven together with human development and fundamental facilitation of civilization. This video is great. If you read any part of my rambling all over the place (I coined the term #Fibrarian to describe my passion a while back) about the fabric of a seemingly infinite quantity of relevant fields and facts… If you even just skimmed this comment, thank you! All that to say, discovering this video was exciting for me. I am grateful for all your work. I know well how hard scripting/composition/capture/edit of videos can be. You seriously rock, IMO.
Thank you for all the information. This is extremely helpful.
Thank You Ms Kelly for the information, I 've learned things I ignored about moths ... thank You again for being teacher in the matter ❤❤❤❤❤🎉
Great information, great show! Have a sparkly week!
Just want to leave a comment to show my support. Thank you so much for this video. It’s so well researched.
Wow what an awesome and well presented video
Comprehensive as opposed to little bits here and there
Thank you so much for great explanation🙏 very useful👏🏼
This was brilliant thank you so much!!
Thank you so much for posting this video! It helped me find the source of my moth issue! So much helpful information!!
Moths flying around my house full of yarn right now, I am freaking out !
thank you, this was incredibly helpful
I would like to get information on carpet beetles.
I live in the east coast and these insects ( this past summer ) changed my life in a horrible way.
Very impressed by your video, most of my tops have small tiny holes opposite where my belly button would be ( they've been thrown out ) ... I DO NOT HAVE MOTHS I know for a fact but do have Carpet Beetles as I have noticeably found this past summer .
Renee how do you know it’s carpet beetles .. I find holes in cotton clothing and even cotton polyester blends
Something is eating the stitching on my clothes I don’t have anything woolen in my clothes I never see anything though like no larvae and they are eating clothes in my drawers as well as wardrobe. I would like to know about carpet beetle as well we had it last year with our woolen carpet but we have synthetic carpet now . I never see any insects but something is eating my clothing
Found several holes today in my new cashmere sweater that I placed in my closet for the last couple months. So sad. Not fixable. I got it on a super sale too.
Thank you for a very informative and fascinating episode! I love your presentation, it is intelligent and educational... plus there's lots of talk about knitting - it's all good!
Thank you for doing this show. It is very informative.
Thank you for this video. I looked it up because I found 30 years worth of handknit sweaters, kept in a cedar chest, effectively shredded. I know what to do going forward. But hearing that my experience is "rare" is kind of heartbreaking.
Yes, carpet beetles would be good. Thank you for your talk on moths. FYI: There are also people who have horror stories about moths and do not say anything.
How refreshing you are! What I mean is, how utterly relieving & even inspiring are your honestly-informed (actual research and comparing and listing of resources, per say) comments. Please keep your commentaries going on UA-cam. THANK You; you have a new fan. And if you can handle parasitic larvae up close and squeamishly personal for goodness sake, feel free to attempt what no US doctors or lab techs/test-or surgeons-can identify. Click my icon and check my terribly made personal, home [parasite] videos.
PS. To slow the parasite activity for easier viewing, hit .25 in playnack settings.
Two things occurred before we discovered moths in our house: 1. Guest’s dog would be brought here, and 2. We had a new set of couches. I would move the couches to sweep under and I’d see one or two months running around. This was before I knew they were actually moths! Then it would be 3 or more. I wouldn’t see them anywhere but under there, now I see them on the ceilings. I placed a moth catcher on top of our upper kitchen cabinets and it’s got at least 8 atm. I know they are clothes moths bc of their colour. It’s frustrating having to deal with them.
Very informative, thanks for sharing. Yes, more videos on yarn pest please. This summer I found a partially used skein of 100% acrylic yarn in my daughters closest, as I was winding it into a cake for her out came many larvae, of what kind of moth I have no clue, but they do get into100% acrylic (they don't live long) this is the second time I've ran across this in my lifetime of using yarn. I've also found it many times in estate sale yarn as well (the remains of dead larvae in acrylic yarn skeins).
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Great show with even more information than last time!
I have a severe moth infestation - seen quite a few around in increasing numbers, but didn't realise the amount of damage they have done. Much of the carpet has been eaten away from the walls, and lots of holes in all clothes. I wondered why little holes were appearing in things. I never connected the dots soon enough it appears. Anyway, I'm taking no chances. They are all over the apartment. Everything is being heat treated and ALL fabrics vacuum sealed away when not in use. Using powerful insecticides on carpets as there are thousands of caterpillars hidden in the corners and skirting boards and those are what do all the damage, as they already have done.
Thank you so much for this video you do not know how what you have helped me! These freaking things have wreaked havoc in my life. But not no more thank you so much
I'm glad you found the video helpful. Sorry you are having so many issues. I would probably call an exterminator if the problem is severe.
TY Christine, interesting subject, especially the information about mothballs. Mother never liked the smell of it, so we did not have mothballs at home and with the information that you provided us. However, we did have the "citychess", personally, i didn't like the smell of it either. Perhaps because i'm allergic to it
Hi Chiquita -- thank you so much. I'm glad your mom didn't buy mothballs, too! Thanks for watching. 💜
I would like more info on carpet beetles!
I beg to differ on one thing: Moths can and will eat through cotton if it's mixed in the same location as other fabrics. I have holes in some of my cotton and even synthetic clothes caused by the (very visible) moth infestation I am fighting. It's probably because they were mixed in the laundry basket with other things. There is no evidence however of any other types of insects in the apartment. I've seen moths flying out of cotton based fabrics in my apartment as well, and laying eggs there.
Same here
Hello I know this video is very long ago but can you help me with a few questions?
I found a few larvae with the casing in my room. But I have a very hard time to find where it came from. I got my clothes washed but does washing remove them? And if it doesn’t, what happens if I wear that clothes that might have larvae just hatched that I couldn’t see? I fear of worm and wiggling things so I’m super freaking out right now. Do they feed on my body and my hair?? Or they would die after I wear the clothes?
Also how do I distinguish between lint on my black clothes vs moth egg or larvae? It’s super hard to tell now if there are dust on my clothes/bed or they’re the larvae 😭
Excellent video, thank you.
I always enjoy your podcasts. Thank you!
I have a lot of holes in my cotton t-shirts and don't know what the problem is. Any advice? They hang in my closet. I don't know if its the washing machine or if they are just getting old. They are my everyday clothes for around the house were i am most of the time n they get alot of use. But all of them seem to have holes. Any help would be much appreciated. Thanks for your wonderful helpful videos.
😮🫣😳all the more reason to use everything we have in our homes, not store things away, pare down our wardrobes and better look after everything we love. That’s it- I’m going to do a massive purge tomorrow morning-- Minimalism here I come 🤗
Thanks for all the tips! Great class🧐