The worst nightmare of every wool lover: moths. Over the years I have made it my mission to keep these nasty creatures at bay and prevent holes in wool. I would like to share a few tips with you.

Storing Wool

Store wool that you do not use or use less in plastic sealable boxes. I myself put them in a vacuum bag that you make air-free with a vacuum cleaner.

Cedarwood

A natural way to repel moths is to buy cedar sticks. They come in all sorts of shapes: balls, sticks, discs… When the smell fades, I sand them down with sandpaper. Or I sprinkle the sticks with some cedar oil about every three months.

Lavender sachets

The scent of lavender also helps against moths. For humans a very nice scent, for moths a nightmare! Put some lavender in a tea filter bag and voilà! Laurel, camphor and elderflower are also said to work as a moth repellent.

Vacuuming

Your most important weapon is your vacuum cleaner. Keep cupboards clean and fresh, to keep your clothes moth-free and to remove any eggs. If you suspect moths: don't forget to throw away the vacuum cleaner bag afterwards. Tip: clean cupboards extra well with a small dash of natural vinegar. That will also drive them away.

Wear

Moths do not like movement. The best way to prevent this is to use your wool as much as possible! Do not keep them in a pile in the cupboard for too long, but store them in sealable boxes or vacuum bags.

Mott lock

It is sometimes difficult to determine whether a stray hole in clothing is caused by moths or by wear and tear. To find out, my best tip: the mott-lock sheets. Hang them in the closet and you will know immediately if there are bugs stuck to the adhesive strip.

Freezer

Place (possibly) affected wool in the freezer for a few nights. A temperature of -20 degrees kills eggs and larvae from clothing.