Holes in my t-shirts

[mothercourage]

Nearly all my t-shirts seem to be developing tiny holes. And they're always around the same place: low down, belly button-ish area. It's not due to belts. Is it moths? I didnt think they liked cotton. It's driving me mad. No sooner do I buy something than it's riddled with tiny holes.

[Michael Palaeologus]

Moths probably. Zillions of them in ED.

[Applespider]

Definitely moths... I have exactly the same issue and spot the little beggars at times. I didn't think they liked cotton either but they do seem to have a decided preference for Zara T-shirts

[giggirl]

They go for my cashmere sweaters. Little fuckers ers.

I've been using Pheromone Traps for the last 3 years and I'm finding less moths/less holes. You can buy the traps in the DIY shop near Green & Blue but they don't stock the refills. You'll need to get the refills online.

http://www.mothcontroldirect.co.uk/acatalog/Clothes_Moth_Pheromone_Traps.html

It's not a cheap option - I spent about ?60 on refills back in April. I change the strips about once a month and I have traps all over the house. It isn't a lot of money when you think how much damage they can do to your clothes and carpets.

Basically the traps attract and kill male moths so the remaining female moths don't get their eggs fertilized. The females get lonely and horny and console themselves with eating my cashmere (unless I can sneak up on them with the long tube bit of the hoover first).

[damzel]

If holes are only around waist area it might be caused by your t shirt rubbing on youur jeans button whilst doing the washing up... That's what caused mine

[The Minkey]

Burning blims or moths..

During an infestation of moths years ago, I bought some moth repellant sachets which I hung off the clothes rail - it seemed to do the job nicely. As this was during the pre-web era, I had to buy them from a hardware shop. Nowadays, it's quite easy to find similar products online: http://www.amazon.co.uk/Moth-Killer-hanging-unit-RENTOKIL/dp/B002DYARYK/ref=cm_cr_pr_product_top

[reetpetite]

damzel Wrote:

-------------------------------------------------------

> If holes are only around waist area it might be

> caused by your t shirt rubbing on youur jeans

> button whilst doing the washing up... That's what

> caused mine

I have the same ,my friend also and we think it is the jeans but more likely the belt on them (if you wear one) We dont have a problem with moths.

[mothercourage]

No, it's not belts cos I can literally wear a t-shirt once and the next time I go to put it on, it's all holed up. I have seen evidence of a few moths in the house but nothing like an infestation. I will follow the advice on here though and go hell for leather on pheromone traps and put lavender/cedar balls in my wardrobe. The little sods always ALWAYS go for my fave tops. So annoying and why always in the same place? Very weird. They never touch my daughter's stuff.

Anyway, thanks for all your responses.

[edcam]

Get Colibri moth repellent sachets. they smell nice (essential oils and not at all mothbally.) You can get them in John Lewis (referred to in our house as The Mother Ship.)

[Sue]

The same thing has happened to some of my tee shirts, and I have had a big problem with moths eating cushion covers, wall hangings and clothes. I also at first thought the holes in the tee shirts were due to some other cause, but now I'm pretty sure it's moths.

See this thread

I spent a fortune on Colibri moth repellent sachets in John Lewis, and they did not work.

Pheromone sticky traps did not work for me either.

By all means try these things, but the only thing which has worked for me is chemicals, I'm afraid.

Be aware that it only takes one moth to escape to cause a whole new infestation.

[giggirl]

Which chemicals Sue. Please be specific.

The fuck ers have been at my cashmere again. Another one bites the dust.

[Sue]

I gave a link on the other forum thread, but here it is again.

Pest Control Supermarket

If you phone them and explain your exact problem, they will advise on what to use, but there is full info on their website so best to look at that first.

You may need something different from me. I used their water-based spray becuase it was suitable to use on my wallhangings, but there are other options.

I also bought some paper sheets from them to put amongst my jumpers etc.. These do not smell as nice as lavender and cedarwood sachets (they don't smell at all!), but unlike the scented sachets I haven't found any moths crawling over them apparently quite happily :))

Touch wood I have seen no moths - male (flying) or female (crawling) - for some time now.

I would have preferred not to use a chemical, but enough was enough. Hopefully I have now eradicated the problem.

[giggirl]

Thank you Sue - that was helpful. I'll order some spray. I also have those paper sheets - mine come in long strips which you can trim if you want to. I have masses of them all over the place. At least one per drawer. They last for up to a year.

On a general note regarding buying anti-moth products - they all have a shelf life so be sure to buy from an outlet which hasn't had them sitting on the shelf for a lifetime. I would imagine you're safe buying from anywhere in ED because I think any shop selling anti-moth products in ED must do a roaring trade. It's also OK to buy online from specialist sites.

[Sue]

This was the spray I used:

Water-based moth spray

It kills any adult moths and larvae on contact, but it also remains effective on where you spray it for a fortnight (or more, I can't remember) so any eggs hatching out during that time will also be zapped.

You are advised to wash any clothes after this time before you wear them again, though I think that's probably being ultra-cautious.

It appears to be a relatively safe chemical, but I used the gloves and mask provided anyway :))

[giggirl]

Today is the second day this week someone has pointed out that I have holes in my sweater. So that's two that the moths have had and I'm afraid to think what else they've eaten. I'm ordering that spray today.

[CleanHome]

You will also need to vacuum clean the interior of your wardrobe then wipe down, and wash or dryclean clothes before replacing.

Don't forget other mothy hiding places such as underneath beds, particularly if used for storage, or childrens dressing up boxes. Finally dispose of your vacuum cleaner bag outside.

[ruffers]

I'm still waiting for some kind of explanation of why the moths would only go for that bit of the t-shirt?

[Huguenot]

Could it be that the way they're folded in the drawer means that area is exposed and to the front?

[Applespider]

Nah... because mine are rarely folded in the drawer and still end up with holes there. I initially thought it was my jeans button/zip too until I spotted one of the little blighters. I have also had holes on the back though and at the shoulder so perhaps it was just luck the first few times that they got the same spot.