How to Keep Your Wool Safe from Moths – A Guide for Needle Felters

As needle felting artists, our beloved wool is essential to our craft. However, one tiny, sneaky enemy can ruin it all: moths. Clothes moths thrive on natural fibres like wool, making them a common problem for felters. But don't panic! We've put together this simple guide to help you tackle moths and keep your wool stash safe.

🦋 Why Moths Love Wool

Clothes moths feed on a protein called keratin, found in natural fibres such as wool, cashmere, silk, and furs. They are especially attracted to undyed, natural wool, which could include the lovely fibres you use for needle felting projects.

Moths go through four life stages: egg, larva (the wool eater), pupa, and adult. It's the larvae that cause damage, chewing through your wool and leaving holes. The adult moths aren't usually seen because they prefer dark, undisturbed places—meaning if you’ve stored wool away for a while, you’re at a higher risk of an infestation.

🧶 Noticed Moths? Here’s What to Do!

If you spot signs of moths, don’t worry—here’s your action plan:

  1. Remove and Inspect:

    • Take all wool items out of the affected area and inspect them carefully.

  2. Temperature Treatment:

    • Freeze your wool: Place your wool in a plastic bag and freeze it for 2-3 days to kill any eggs or larvae.
    • Wash at high temperature: If your wool can handle it, washing at 60°C or higher will destroy all life stages of the moth.

  3. Surface Treatment:

    • After treating the wool, spray your shelves, wardrobes, and drawers with a residual spray like Formula C+ Spray. This spray creates a film that kills moths for up to 12 weeks and even prevents their growth, stopping them from reproducing.

  4. Prevent Reinfestation:

    • For ongoing protection, place Moth Killer Cassettes or Moth Killer Papers in your wardrobes and drawers. These products remain effective for up to 6 months and kill all stages of the moth lifecycle.

🧼 Safety Tip: Always remove any pets or people from the room while you spray or treat surfaces, and keep them away until everything has dried.

Dealing with an Infestation: Full Treatment Plan

If you've got a full-blown infestation, consider a more comprehensive treatment. The Pest Expert method includes:

  1. Formula C+ Spray for residual protection.
  2. Formula P Fogger to treat hard-to-reach areas.
  3. Rentokil Moth Killer Hanging Strips for ongoing prevention.

All of these steps will help ensure that the moths—and their eggs—are gone for good!

🛡 Prevention Tips to Keep Moths at Bay

Once you’ve dealt with the moths, it’s all about prevention. Here’s how you can protect your wool in the long term:

  • Store Wool in Airtight Containers: Moths can’t get in if you seal the wool up properly. You can also use vacuum-sealed bags for added protection.

  • Add Cedar Chips: Throw some cedar chips into your wool containers. Cedar naturally repels moths, but remember to replace them periodically as they lose their scent over time.

  • Use Moth-Killing Strips: Products like the Pest Expert Moth Killer Strips can be placed in storage areas and remain effective for up to 6 months.

🌿 An Organic Alternative

For those who prefer a more eco-friendly solution, try OA2Ki Organic Moth Spray. It’s an effective option without the use of harsh chemicals.

A Personal Note from The Felt Box

While we have not had issues with moths in our shop, we still take precautions and treat our storage areas regularly. We've found products from Pest Expert to be reliable, but if we discover any better alternatives, we'll be sure to update you! If you have thoughts or suggestions, feel free to email me—we love hearing from fellow felters.

Keeping your wool safe from moths doesn't have to be a hassle. With the right steps and products, you can protect your materials and enjoy felting without fear of unwanted critters. 😊

Happy felting, and stay moth-free! 🦋

Disclaimer: We are in no way associated with Pest Expert or MothKiller, but as consumers, we've used their products for years.