#knititng

Lets talk about moths...

So, a few weeks ago I decided to bring out my knits. Earlier this year, I had washed and then stored them in a plastic bin. When I removed the plastic bin from under my bed, I realized the bin had been opened slightly. This was not particularly alarming, as I have kids and a pug who love to roll around under the bed. As I brought out each hat to be inspected, I noticed a small hole in one of the hats. I dismissed it, it couldn't POSSIBLY be moths, I had never seen one in my home, and over the last 9 years of knitting, had never had such a problem. Then the same familiar hole kept appearing, AND one of the larva had the audacity to die in the pompom. Probably toooo gorged to get out ;)

I realized I had been attacked this year and never knew it! Most likely, some moth came in and loved the dark space under the bed. Even better, that dark space had wool items that were left in an OPEN container. A perfect place to lay moth eggs and raise a family.

I rushed to where I store the handknit sweaters, and thankfully found no moth damage. Next was the yarn stash, thankfully no damage was found there. I always store my “for sale” knits in sealed plastic bags, those were of course, very safe.

After I assessed the damage, I realized I had been VERY lucky. Only 4 items had holes. None of my realllly special knits were damaged, and I could sew the holes closed. I washed everything that had been in the bin, and inspected each item. I figured though I might be worth sharing my story to help others save and preserve their knits! I also shared this info with my family, as I knit frequently for them, and I have no control on how they store those items hehe.

Moth info:

Tineola bisselliella is the most common fiber eating moth. It loves to eat natural fibers, since it has the ability to digest keratin proteins that are found in wool and silks. It especially loves dirty fibers. Unlike other moths, it prefers areas that have low light and traffic.

Here are some tips to store your knits and keep them safe:

The best course of action is prevention.

*Look for adult moths in your home. They are small, but can be spotted. The adults don’t eat your knits, but the larva do. If you find adults, they could have laid eggs in your stash or knits. 

*Look for eggs in your items. They are small and white. They can be tough to spot. 

* Look for holes in your items OR frayed weak ends in your yarn. 

*Be careful when accepting yarns from other stashes. If you do, inspect and wash them. Freezing yarn will also kill the little invaders.

*Before storing your knits for the season, inspect them for any damages or pests beforehand. Wash and dry them. Store them in plastic bags that seal or in a bin that has a good tight fitting lid. Make sure that lid doesn't get disturbed and opened...personal note for myself haha.

*Store the items with something strong smelling. Lavender and cedar will deter moths. If using something natural like lavender or cedar, make sure the scent is strong, as over time, they will lose their potency. NOTE on traditional mothballs, some mothballs were created with a chemical called naphthalene and others were created with paradichlorobenzene. These substances are toxic and carcinogenic. They are poisonous to kids and pets!

*As tempting as it is, be careful when displaying yarn out in the open as decor. It can get dusty, and moths could find that appealing.

If you do find evidence of moths, don’t panic!

*Sort the yarn and knits to find what is damaged and what isn't. If the yarn or item is too far gone to be saved, toss it. 

*For stuff that is infested, give everything a good wash. Allfreeknitting.com has a vinegar solution to wash and soak your items in to kill moths: 

                                            -1 cup white vinegar                                             -3 cups lukewarm water 

You can also carefully heat the yarn to 150degrees or freeze it to kill moths.

 *Clean and dust the area to prevent more moths.

Remember moths can be sneaky! I never even saw one. Be vigilant knitters and crocheters! May your stashes and knits be safe! :)

Link to Allfreeknitting.coms Moth info. 

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