Clothes Moths: The Crafter's Tiny Nemeses

Clothes moths (Tineola bisselliella) and moth larvae are a constant fear for many crafters, especially those who love to work with animal fibres, like wool, alpaca, or silk. They're most active (in the northern hemisphere at least) in the spring and autumn. 

What do clothes moths eat?

So, do moths eat clothes? Technically, no. The adult moths don't eat at all. It's their larvae that are the problem, and they survive on a diet of protein. Female moths are attracted by the smell of keratin, a protein found in animal fibres (such as human and pet hair and skin, wool, silk and more), which they know will feed their developing young. The larvae make their cocoons using the keratin supply, and if you find little cases like these, you know there are moths around. 

The larvae won't eat anything that doesn't have animal fibres in it, so cotton, linen and any man-made fibre is safe. 

Keratin is also found in the dust in our houses, which is made up in large part of human skin, and in things we touch (in the oils we secrete from our skin). Our houses are a smorgasbord of moth delicacies, and once they're in, they can find their way into our wardrobes, drawers and – horrors – our craft stashes. 

When to start thinking about moth prevention

Just like us, moths start to revive once the weather begins to warm up. Traditionally, the end of winter meant a thorough clean of our living spaces – a clear out of the grime, soot and oils built up during the long months spent living largely indoors. We tend not to do a traditional spring clean (or at least I don't) these days. Central heating means that keeping our houses warm throughout winter is, although increasingly expensive, not a dirty process. We have more light, and it's easier to keep linens clean, now that so many people have washing machines and, if not tumble dryers, at least a warm room in which to dry clothes out. However, keeping moths away is an excellent reason to have a seasonal cleaning blow-out. 

How to prevent or kill clothes moths

There are plenty of ways to deal with and prevent moths, however, and here are a few. 

1. Regular dusting and hoovering. If you regularly get rid of dust from your surfaces and carpets, you'll end up clearing out potential eggs, larvae and a source of their food. 
2. Regularly air out your sweaters. I don't pack away my knitwear in the summer, because British weather means you never know when you might need a sweater, even in August. Make sure that you regularly air your woolly items out. You don't need to wash them regularly, but giving them a good airing every two or three weeks is essential. 
3. Pack away any knitwear you know you won't use over the summer. My husband packs his away. I make sure they're in a vacuum bag, storage box or empty suitcase, along with a moth sachet. 
4. Use a chemical moth repellent and/or killer.  I go full on with these in my office – I'm not messing about. I use Acana moth killer sachets, and put one in each of my storage boxes. It deters moths, and kills any eggs, larvae or insects that might already be lurking, and it lasts for a few months. 
5. Use a natural moth repellent. Moths hate the smell of natural oils like citrus, lavender and cedar. It won't kill moths, so it's a good option if you're a vegan or just don't want to be murderous. If you do use lavender sachets or cedar balls (like these), you do need to remember to refresh them regularly. I use these in my project bags (because they smell nice) and in my wardrobe. 
6. Use moth traps. These use female moth pheromones to attract the males, which will give you a good indicator of moth activity in various areas of your home. 

For my personal craft stash, I keep each set of yarns or fibres in a zip-seal bag in a small chest. I should probably check them more often than I do, but because of the bags, I tend to worry less than if they were loose.

Do you have any products or tips that you find helpful in keeping moths at bay? Let me know!