| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Fulminous |
Posted - Sep 09 2005 : 10:11:26 AM
I am cleaning out my loft and made the discovery, I am talking BAD, larvae squirming around, and hanging out in their little silken homes they have made in my clothes. I have been working on these buggers for 12 hours straight (so I'm having trouble sleeping, yes I started in on it at 1 a.m.).
I've been doing laundry on the hot water setting and using a laundry soap and vinegar mix, then throwing everything in the dryer to crisp anything that possibly survived the washing. My dryer hasn't seen this much use ever!
The wool blankets that would not fit in the cedar chest, I am going to dry them on high setting and hope for the best.
Now I am seeing some of the larvae on the carpet up there, I don't know if they fell off the clothes I was sorting through or if I really have a huge infestation?!? The scary part is both my Mom and Grammie say that I will need to bomb the whole loft. Are there alternative methods to this?
Unfourtionately this infestation took place at an incredibly bad time, I am getting married next weekend and still have plenty to do! And pack to go away for the honeymoon, so I'm hoping that I'll be able to take care of this in a short amount of time (I'm scared that natural & alternative methods usually take time and attention, and unfourtionatey of all the times this is the only time I really dont have time!) I am also scared of using the bomb because a lot of the stuff up there is my camping, climbing, paddling gear some of these things I'm afraid will be damaged by the chemicals in a bomb (example: climbing rope, Gore Tex jackets).
I appreciate any advice you gals (and guys) can give me, I feel real stuck (and extremely busy). Thanks in advance!
Deb |
| 3 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| bramble |
Posted - Sep 11 2005 : 09:52:07 AM
Deb- Sorry to hear about the problem ...and the timing. I have always used lavender sachets with winter/summer clothes storage and no moth problems yet. The other thing we did while growing up was cedar shavings in sachets and that seemed to help too, as well as cedar chests and closets. What about balsam sachets, you Mainers should have access to tons of that! As for the moth balls...never, never, never! They are toxic if ingested by pests and children, the fumes over a long period of time are considered health threatening and last but not least ...THEY SMELL AWFUL! I can't imagine that smell being near food, doesn't it infuse the food with that smell/taste? No wonder you camp out!
A friend of mine used to travel alot for work ( and clean rarely...) and she had an infestation of spiders in all her clothes, carpets, bedding. etc. She had to resort to the pesticide bomb and it did no long term harm to her possesions. If what was suggested to you was like hers, she set it off with the house closed up for 24 hours. We then went back after the weekend and opened up the house and let it air out. They say you can be back after 24 hours, but she stayed with us a few more days just to be certain. Maybe someone could do this for you while you are on your honeymoon?
Here's hoping these are the only bugs in your wedding plans! Have a blessed day and enjoy the trip, even when it rains it's beatiful there!!
with a happy heart |
| Fulminous |
Posted - Sep 10 2005 : 4:48:25 PM
Thanks, I think I must of gotten most of them with my up-all-night and up-all-day marathon genocide. I'll look into the tansey and put more lavender up there, funny I have some in my bedroom closet but never gave a thought to the loft!
I must also agree with you about the moth balls, my Mom's house reeks of them! They are in every closet and even her food pantry (scary)!!! I can't step beyond the first room in the house if I have a queezy stomach. I guess thats why I always bring my tent and camp out on the lawn or in the woods nearby when I stay over! |
| MeadowLark |
Posted - Sep 09 2005 : 1:12:56 PM
Deb, I read where moths hate the herb tansey! I grew some 15 years ago and made bundles of them for my closet...no moths. I also read where peppercorns in pockets of woolen items will keep the moths away. I need to do something too...I dug out a cashmere cardigan and it had moth holes!  I hate the smell of store bought moth balls. Best wishes on your approaching marriage!
Being is what it is. Jean Paul Sartre |
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