How do you protect your wool from moths?

Hey there,
a few years ago I bought a lot of merino wool because I wanted to knit with it on my knitting machine.
Now I see that moths have chewed through a little thread in some of the skeins!!
Yesterday I found a skein where a huge chunk had been chewed out, and as a “thank you,” they left a weird little pile in its place ;-( !!!!!!!

My husband burst out laughing when I told him about the little pile. After all, he doesn’t find wool interesting enough, unless it’s about tools (drill, etc.)

I’m sad because it’s good-quality wool that was also expensive. I’ve also tried various methods to keep the moths from nibbling on it (scolding them didn’t help)...
Best regards
Serap

Well, I’ve never heard of moths leaving a “pile” like that. Could it be that the wool was stored somewhere mice could get to it (like the attic, etc.)?
I’ve never had moths, so I can’t really speak to that, but to me, it sounds like something else.

Best regards

Hi, so it wasn’t mouse droppings, but rather a kind of “web” with something gross in it ;-).
It was all in the apartment. The closets and so on were actually clean.
Best regards
Serap

I’d store some Swiss stone pine wood with it—that helps keep moths away.... Thankfully, I’ve never had a problem with that myself. The wool doesn’t last that long in my house.

You should be able to find Swiss stone pine sachets at a health food store, or you could put a few drops of Swiss stone pine essential oil on a handkerchief and place it with the wool.

Best wishes, Sabine

*shudder* I once had clothes moths like that in my old apartment. It took forever until I found the source and got rid of every last trace of it.
This “webbing” is the pupated offspring, so please dispose of it as soon as possible and carefully search everything for more of these webs.
If you have a large freezer, put the wool in there for a few days. That will freeze the moth eggs to death.
Also, I’d store the wool in sealable plastic containers, preferably in a Ziploc bag as well.

I wish you the best of luck in fighting the “brood.”

Best regards
Michaela

Zip-lock freezer bags. And for finished items, the good old chemical approach: moth paper, moth spray—whatever the drugstore’s pesticide section has to offer. In my experience, lavender isn’t particularly reliable.

As far as I know, it’s not the moths that eat the wool, but their larvae. The moths lay their eggs in your wool, and the little ones feast on delicious wool protein so they can grow big and strong ;-)

Best wishes from
Steffi

Oops, Michaela already gave the same answer. Well, two heads are better than one ;-)

You never stop learning....but now I’m shuddering...

Hi, thank you so much for your replies...

I’ve called all the moths together... no, they won’t listen to me!

I’ll probably have to get some moth-repellent paper.
@Michaela: I’ve already tried freezing the moth eggs.
To prevent major damage to my wool, I’ll probably have to resort to harsh chemicals—something I’ve avoided until now.
My lace yarn still looks fine...
Best regards
Serap