Preventives Against Moths.—Pre ventives against moths are of vari ous kinds, as repellents, poisons, and various mechanical methods. Expe rience indicates that moths are averse to strong odors; hence among repel lents may be mentioned naphthaline, moth balls, camphor, and various es sential 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 larva; hence if moths are present, and es pecially if the receptacle which con tains them is tightly closed and un disturbed, they will deposit their eggs, and the young will hatch and feed practically the same in the pres ence of these repellents as otherwise. Hence other preventive measures are necessary to insure protection against them.
Repellents for Moths. — Among Substances recommended as repellents 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 leath er, and lavender.
To Destroy Moths.—Chemicals and methods recommended for destroy ing moths are fumigation with hy drocyanic-acid gas or sulphurous acid gas, the application of bisulphide of carbon, various petroleum products (especially gasoline and benzine), tur pentine, 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., contain ing 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 un derneath the collars, lapels, and oth er similar places. Turn pockets in side 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 dur ing the summer months, and lay aside all others to be packed in moth tight receptacles and stored.
While these articles are airing, ap ply suitable moth destroyers to the inside of the empty wardrobes, chests of drawers, and boxes, and, if con venient, 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 larvae will not ordinarily chew wood, cotton, linen, or paper, especially newspaper, but both the moths and their larvae will penetrate very mi nute 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 thor oughly, 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 ap pearance, and be free from germs, mold, and other forms of impurity.
Substituting oiled or painted bare floors, and using rugs instead of car pets in summer time are effective measures against moths, but if car pets 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 newspa pers or wrap articles in newspapers. Moths do not like printer's ink.
Or place articles in unbleached cotton bags. Moths do not like cot ton.
Or put gum camphor in and about the articles. Or shavings of cedar wood or camphor wood inclosed in small cotton bags.