moths attack!

[javi_e]

hi guys,

i have a tunic attacked by moths.....
i have put moths balls in the pockets and looks the attack stoped but how can i know if there are larvaes inside?

i have read hot water cleaning kills the larvaes and after cleaning a hot pressing kills too the larvaes... i have not done that still and i would like to know your opinions and tips before do something.

thank you very much
Javi

[militaria.no]

Put the tunic in a plastic bag and place it in a freeze for one week. This will kill the larvaes

[javi_e]

thanks Marius!

by the first time i have pressed it with hot, dont worry i have put a fine veld over it to not damage the tunic. i have done an exahustive exam and tried to find something strange and looks to be free of larvaes.
i doubt something can live with this hot over it.

anyway i will do what you say to be sure.

[Scott A. Hess]

Hypothetically if one had a visor cap and wanted to put the In the freezer for one week I would assume it would cause damage to any bullion eagle or cockade? Would it be better than to seal the Cap in a zip lock baggie with a whole box of mothballs?

[Obersalzberg]

Hypothetically if one had a visor cap and wanted to put the In the freezer for one week I would assume it would cause damage to any bullion eagle or cockade? Would it be better than to seal the Cap in a zip lock baggie with a whole box of mothballs?

No, not really. The best method is sprinkle paraffin generously over and into cap, put cap onto end of broom stick, place lit match under cap and stand back til completely in flames.

this will kill 100% guaranteed success. It may however result in slight possible damage to said cap.

[Scott A. Hess]

No, not really. The best method is sprinkle paraffin generously over and into cap, put cap onto end of broom stick, place lit match under cap and stand back til completely in flames.

this will kill 100% guaranteed success. It may however result in slight possible damage to said cap.

funny, but not very helpful, I'll figure it out, maybe I could have one of your pieces I could test your theory on.

[nutmeg]

Generally what's done is to put the tunic in a sealed bag with sort of insect killer for a few weeks then air it out afterwards . However, it is important that moth balls, and all those other things do not actually touch the garment as they can cause damage . I would suggest a sealed box with the mothballs wrapped in foil with holes punched in and the tunic on a rack above them. Keep in mind the fumes from mothballs are toxic as well so don't do it in the house. It takes a long time to get rid of the mothball smell as well. I wouldn't freeze it , there could be moisture issues.

[Gilles C.]

You might have a try with a natural predator of moths:
Trichogramma
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Trichogramma

and please don't forget to read Paul R.'s very extensive thread about moths!!

Regards

[juoneen]

Use a spacebag...vaccum the uniform carefully first, then seal the bag, suck out all the air through the front valve with the vaccum cleaner, and the bugs will die if any are left. all flags, and uniforms made of materials insects will eat can be protected this way...the best place to purchase space bags is at Bed Bath, and Beyond , unless you live outside the USA.

That other drones comment made me think about the old cure for crabs...shave one side , set the other on fire, then when they come out into the clearing you stab them with an ice pick...

[javi_e]

well,

thanks for your answers, i have the tunic right now in a laundry sealed bag, you know, the tipycal bags with zip, nothing can enter or leave this bag, the tunic have about 2 mothballs inside each pocket, and 2 innside the shoulder boards, im scared with the reverse of the boards....

my question was if these mothballs kill the larvaes, if there was any inside the tunic...

i have read the Pauls thread about moths, but my tunic was attacked, and he do not recomend to clean it in a laundry or something like that, but i wanted to know iy any of you did this.

thanks
Javi.

[Scott A. Hess]

Generally what's done is to put the tunic in a sealed bag with sort of insect killer for a few weeks then air it out afterwards . However, it is important that moth balls, and all those other things do not actually touch the garment as they can cause damage . I would suggest a sealed box with the mothballs wrapped in foil with holes punched in and the tunic on a rack above them. Keep in mind the fumes from mothballs are toxic as well so don't do it in the house. It takes a long time to get rid of the mothball smell as well. I wouldn't freeze it , there could be moisture issues.

Now there is some helpful advice! thanks!

[Scott A. Hess]

Use a spacebag...vaccum the uniform carefully first, then seal the bag, suck out all the air through the front valve with the vaccum cleaner, and the bugs will die if any are left. all flags, and uniforms made of materials insects will eat can be protected this way...the best place to purchase space bags is at Bed Bath, and Beyond , unless you live outside the USA.

That other drones comment made me think about the old cure for crabs...shave one side , set the other on fire, then when they come out into the clearing you stab them with an ice pick...

Again, thanks for the helpful advice, appreciated!

[viva_giulio]

fortunately i never had this problem... and i leave all the tunics in open space or in a ventilated room in the common hang-bags.

I spray every 4 months a natural product.

I'm lucky?

i would know how our friend stored the tunic attacked just to learn...

[javi_e]

hi Giulio,

i have now the tunic attacked in a sealed bag with some mothballs, im still scared because i dont know if there are larvaes inside the tunic, which could be an "oktoberfest" for them in a sealed bag.

i have pressed the tunic with hot before store the tunic in the bag, dont worry i took precaution before do that with a fine veld over the tunic.


does the mothballs kill the larvaes too?

[Paul R.]

hi guys,

i have a tunic attacked by moths.....
i have put moths balls in the pockets and looks the attack stoped but how can i know if there are larvaes inside?

i have read hot water cleaning kills the larvaes and after cleaning a hot pressing kills too the larvaes... i have not done that still and i would like to know your opinions and tips before do something.

thank you very much
Javi

Javi, You may want to take a few minutes and conduct a WAF site search on your moth problems. There has been a lot of posted materials on this topic. Let me say first that the use of mothballs my cause server permanent health problems, and is not advise to use this product period. The mothball packaging usually states these health issues. At times placing mothballs on a piece of fabric can cause staining to the fabric if body oils and sweat, and dirt that get in contact with the mothballs. There are other product like cedar oils, lavender scents that repel the moths better that mothballs.
Applying any sprayed chemical on a soiled tunic is not advised either and can damage or stain a fabric tunic. What may seem to be a harmless idea at the time again can cause problems down the road.
A method that conservators use in museums is a light vacuuming of the item to help root out laves. If this is a method you may want to use it to be sure to vacuum out pockets, seams, coat, pants cuffs. and throw out the vacuum bag also when completed.

Of course these items are your to do with as you see fit.