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Household and Garden Pests: Moths

Moths, as is well known, feed exclusively on animal substances, as woolens, silk, fur, and feathers, and farther than the latitude of Washington, and the gallery species or tapestry moth, which is rare in the United States, and is found principally in barns and carriage houses, infesting horse blankets and the upholstery of carriages. The eggs of the case-making species, which may be called the Northern moth, are laid but once a year, in the spring, the moths appearing from June to August. Professor Fernald states that the eggs are never hatched in winter in the North, even in rooms that are heated night and day; but in the South this species appears from January to October, and breeds two or more times a year.

The webbing species or Southern clothes moth breeds twice a year, the first eggs being laid in May, and the second in August or September; hence in the North the moth is a summer problem, but in the South it must be fought the year round.

The adult moths do no damage except to deposit the eggs from which the injurious maggots or larvæ are hatched. Moths choose darkness rather than light, and select a quiet and secluded spot where they are not likely to be disturbed in which to deposit their eggs. They also appear to prefer garments or other articles which are soiled with spots of grease or other organic matter, and the larvæ appear to choose soiled spots or articles in preference to others. The eggs are very minute, and are usually deposited on woolens, feathers, furs, or other articles which are suitable food for the larvæ; but the latter have the ability to crawl from place to place, if necessary, to seek proper food. Hence they may be deposited in crevices of closets, trunks, etc., through which the larvæ may subsequently enter.

The larva of the moth is a dull white caterpillar. The larva of the case-making or Northern moth surrounds itself with a movable case or jacket, but that of the webbing or Southern moth merely spins a cobwebby path wherever it goes. When the larva of the case-making moth is mature it becomes quiescent and undergoes a transformation in its case. After about three weeks the moth appears. The larva of the Southern moth when mature weaves itself a cocoon in which it undergoes a similar transformation. To Prevent Moths. - The facts above noted indicate the proper precautions to be preserved. In general, the moths must be prevented from laying their eggs on valuable woor ens, silks, furs, or feathers, and the eggs themselves, or larvæ hatched from them, must be destroyed or removed before they can do serious damage. The measures essary to effect these results are: (1) a thorough cleaning of all wardrobes and other receptacles liable to be infected by moths, and of the floors, especially the edges, on which woolen carpets are laid. (2) Treatment with suitable preventives, and the frequent beating and brushing of woolen and other articles, followed by exposure to outdoor air and sunshine. (3) Packing articles not required for immediate use in tight receptacles, after first removing from them all moths' eggs or larvæ with which they may be infested. Various moth preventives and moth destroyers have been discovered, all of which will be carefully indicated.

Preventives Against Moths.-Preventives against moths are of various kinds, as repellents, poisons, and various mechanical methods. Experience indicates that moths are averse to strong odors; hence among repellents may be mentioned naphthaline, moth balls, camphor, and various essential oils and perfumed woods. Other repellents are pepper, tobacco, and the like. Various substances applied to wardrobes, floors, and other moth-haunted receptacles also act as repellents, but it must be clearly understood that they cannot be depended upon. They merely tend to discourage the visits of the moths, but they do not destroy the moths, their eggs, or their larvæ; hence if moths are present, and especially if the receptacle which contains them is tightly closed and undisturbed, they will deposit their eggs, and the young will hatch and feed practically the same in the presence of these repellents as otherwise. Hence other preventive measures are necessary to insure protection against them.

Repellents for Moths. - Among substances recommended as repellents HOUSEHOLD AND GARDEN PESTS against moths are paper dipped in melted paraffin, cedar chests, cloves, cloths saturated with gasoline, sprigs of cedar, pine, or other evergreens, tallow candles, wood soaked with carbolic acid, pieces of Russia leather, and lavender. To Destroy Moths. - Chemicals and methods recommended for destroying moths are fumigation with hydrocyanic-acid gas or sulphurousacid gas, the application of bisulphide of carbon, various petroleum products (especially gasoline and benzine), turpentine, solution of alum, corrosive sublimate, carbolic acid, chloroform, and the application of steam or hot water.

To Fight Moths. -In general, the following methods are recommended: in April or May, at the time of spring house cleaning, carry out of doors the contents of all wardrobes, bureau drawers, boxes, etc., containing woolens, furs, feathers, or other articles made of animal products, and empty them on a large quilt or sheet spread upon the grass. Choose for this purpose a clear, sunny day with a gentle breeze. Hang large articles on the line and beat them; afterwards brush them carefully with a stiff whisk broom, especially underneath the collars, lapels, and other similar places. Turn pockets inside out and brush them. Let them air in the sun as long as possible.

Shake and brush thoroughly the smaller articles. Finally separate those that are likely to be used during the summer months, and lay aside all others to be packed in mothtight receptacles and stored. While these articles are airing, apply suitable moth destroyers to the inside of the empty wardrobes, chests of drawers, and boxes, and, if convenient, set them out of doors in the sun to air. Return to closets and chests of drawers the articles likely to be in constant use during the summer. Wrap those to be stored in newspapers or tar paper, carefully sealing the opening with flour paste, and label the packages. Or fold the articles in suitable paper, place them in pasteboard or wooden boxes, and paste strips of paper around the covers and joints and over all cracks so as to make the receptacles moth proof.

Adult moths cannot bite, hence they are unable to make their way through the thinnest layer of paper or other protective covering. The larvæ will not ordinarily chew wood, cotton, linen, or paper, especially newspaper, but both the moths and their larvæ will penetrate very minute cracks and crevices. Hence protection is to be found only in tightly closing all such openings with paper and paste. Put no dependence upon moth balls or other repellents.

To Protect Clothes Against Moths. -Clothing in closets, wardrobes, or chests of drawers not sealed may be protected against moths by tight bags or sacks of cotton or linen, or by wrapping in newspapers carefully pasted together at the edges; but at least once a week the contents of wardrobes and all articles of wool, fur, or feathers not sealed against moths should be carried to the open air, shaken or beaten, brushed thoroughly, and hung on a line to air during the heat of the day. This practice is also advisable on grounds of hygiene, personal cleanliness, and economy. Clothing thus cared for will last longer, present a fitter appearance, and be free from germs, mold, and other forms of impurity.

Substituting oiled or painted bare floors, and using rugs instead of carpets in summer time are effective measures against moths, but if carpets are used, care should be taken to sweep with especial thoroughness along the edges between the carpet and the baseboard.

To Repel Moths. -Line drawers and other receptacles with newspapers or wrap articles in newspapers. Moths do not like printer's ink.

Or place articles in unbleached cotton bags. Moths do not like cotton.

Or put gum camphor in and about the articles. Or shavings of cedar wood or camphor wood inclosed in small cotton bags.

Or put allspice, black pepper, the seeds of the musk plant, tansy leaves, lavender flowers, juniper berries, or bits of sponge, paper, or linen moistened with turpentine, or Cayenne pepper or tobacco or, in fact, almost any substance or combination of substances which has a strong pungent and lasting odor, in and among the articles to be protected. Probably crystals of naphthaline are as effective as any repellent that can be mentioned.

Or place a vial containing chloroform, and having a small slit or hole in the cork through which it can slowly evaporate, where the fumes will penetrate the articles.

To Destroy Moths. -Fumigate with hydrocyanic-acid gas or sulphur or camphor.

Or brush out and dust the inside of closets, wardrobes, and chests of drawers, brush floors that have been or are to be covered by woolen carpets, and wash the woodwork, especially all cracks and crevices, with hot soapsuds. Then apply a strong solution of alum dissolved in boiling water (1 or 2 pounds to the gallon).

Or a strong solution of carbolic acid or spirits of turpentine, kerosene, benzine, or gasoline. Or a solution of creolin in water.

Apply any of these by means of a brush or spring-bottom oil can or atomizer. Take care to work it into the cracks by means of a small brush, a long feather, or otherwise.