Hi, maybe I imagined this, but seems to me someone posted that using spray starch draws moths. Well, I have just recently started using spray starch for my fabric and I love it! But, just this past week or so I am seeing tiny moths all over my house!!! Can't figure out where they came from, nor how to get rid of them except chase after them with the flyswatter. I don't like using bug spray in the house as we have a cat.
Has anyone else experienced this? Are there any natural redemies for getting rid of them?

Not sure about moths and starch but does cedar keep them away? smells pretty and don't think would bother kitty like "moth balls"

I tried to find a cedar block in K-Mart today but couldn't. I will keep looking as I was thinking this might work, but I wonder if a spice might work. I know putting out cloves keeps ants away, also bay leaves. I would be willing to try anything at this point... ha ha ha :)

I buy this starch at my LQS. It costs more and is supposed to not attract moths which generally happens only over time while its stored. I am not so worried about bugs because my quilts get used and never packed away. It does however give a crispness to the fabric and NEVER leaves white flakes which the regular starch does. It comes in different scents. Also, you can dilute it in half and it still works great! :-D I have two bottles, go get one refilled, and pour half into the other bottle, then add water.

Thanks GwynR - I know my lqs doesn't carry this but maybe a couple of the other ones that are farther away might. I will check by phone on Monday.

The moths go after the starch when things are stored away. They like to eat it.
I think the kind that you are getting now has to do with the season. IMHO

packets af cedar blocks and bags of chips, etc. are at Bed Bath & Beyond.

I personally make sachets from fabric scraps and gerbil bedding from Walmart. It is cedar shavings and one cheap bag makes scads of sachets. Sometimes I make them pretty for friends and sometimes I just use muslin scraps for storage closets.

You need to go check out your flour canister, bags of shelled nuts, crackers, etc. The little devils come in with flour as far as I can tell here at my house. Look for little webs in the top of anything open in your kitchen, spices included. Since I have been keeping my flour in the freezer, no problem, but two years ago I had to get rid of almost everything in my kitchen. I'm sure they came in with the flour, but before I discovered them, they were in everything. Yuck.

That's what I was thinking, too. Generally it takes a long time for the moths that go after cloth. The kitchen ones are a pain. I had an invastion one time....ended up bombing the house 3 times!!!! Finally, I put everything -- I mean EVERYTHING -- in plastic ziplocks. Would you believe I found them nesting in a jar of Lipton Ice Tea mix!!!!! I don't buy that any more.

they sound like pantry moths...i have had them before in kitchen. I recommend these traps: http://www.kingarthurflour.com/shop/items/moth-traps




they work nicely

Bay leaves in the container with the starched material keeps moths and other critters away.

I no longer use starch, but use the Best Press instead.

ali

Ugh - pantry moths are horrible! We have had our fair share of them, and they do get into EVERYTHING. I had to toss a whole thing of Costco size Nesquik mix b/c they got in it. Even sealed packages - grossed DH out to no end when he realized where the holes in his crackers came from one evening (just opened the pkg, too). Cake mixes, flour, pasta, crackers, snack foods, etc. Check them all! If the pkg is sealed, squeeze it to see if they have eaten through to the contents. The little web things are the biggest indicator, though. I trashed the majority of our pantry one time and got some sticky traps for them. I have heard that they can get bad in bulk bin items so to be careful with them.

I have been using plain old cheap starch for years, and no moths here :D:D:D

I starch all the time and never seen a moth. I agree it's probably those little kitchen ones. They are annoying little critters.

I have never seen moths anywhere in my sewing room. I do have some wool fabric stashed so I guess I better make sure it's safe. I think they would be there first before anywhere else.

I never heard of a connection b/t moths and starch, hmmm......
I wash quilts after they're finished so maybe that's why I haven't had a problem?? I really don't know.
I've never stored starched fabric either.

Thanks all for the suggestions. I have already gotten rid of any food that was open or could be attack by the critters. And yes, some of them were in some nuts I had in the pantry. Maybe that is where they came from in the first place. Gross indeed!

I believe that the moths are just a coincidence with regards to your starched fabrics. If you have a problems with silver fish, then you should probably not starch your fabrics until you're ready to use them.

I use Best Press (lavender scent is beautiful) and never have moths.
If you can't find the cedar block, try some cedar kitty litter in one of those laundry bags for the washing machine so that it doesn't go all over the place.

We also started seeing little flying things....we threw away anything that was opened and started clipping the tops of the inner package and closing the boxes...GONE are the pesky things.

I use Mary Ellen's Best Press, and do not have any problems.
Cedar is good in closets, etc. also.

That sounds like a good suggestion I will have to try that.

Pat G.

For a really quick and easy-peasy moth deterrent, I buy the cedar bedding, put in knee high nylons, a clump in the toe, tie, a clump in the thigh, tie, and you can hang them over a closet rod or lay them inside a shelf or drawer. No sewing required and you just shake them to refresh. If you want to pretty them up, tie a ribbon bow on each end knot.

thanks everyone - appreciate all your suggestions. I bought some cedar blocks yesterday at Target. Placed them in several places around the house including one on the top shelf of my pantry. Have only seen one or two moths since so hopefully within a couple days, they will have moved on. Geesh! Hate those things! Makes me feel like my house is dirty! (not that I am Mrs. Clean - but it's not bad) :)