I think placing scraps in a plastic container or ziplocks would avoid any worries! Not sure of the bug situation either, but anything is possible.

My scraps are in ziplocs but I have starched yardage and changed my mind about using it so put it back in rolling plastic carts & on a wire shelf where I keep yardage. I've never had a problem with bugs in 6 years.

Mice is a different story but they don't eat my fabric. They like to snuggle in it!

I may be wrong ..... but, I think if you are going to have bugs attracted to your starched items, it's only if you made your own mixture using cornstarch & water. Being a food product, it will attract bugs and also goes bad within a few days so needs to be used right away. I don't think starch bought in the laundry supplies aisle at the store is an invitation to bugs.

Silverfish, roaches and carpet beetle are all attracted by starch and glue (they love book bindings). Ziplocs or plastic lidded containers are good for keeping them out, you can also put bay leaves or lavender in amongst things (they don't like the smell). Borax works (but don't put down anywhere accessible to children or fur-people. If you use rooms infrequently or have an older home (we do) a good low allergen surface spray around the skirtings also works well.
Interesting article on Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Silverfish

I use fresh lavender sprigs in my fabrics and places where I store clothes.

Gal

Thanks ladies! Sounds like bugs aren't a big concern then. Weezie, I do use just store bought starch already made up. I think I'll get some lavendar and throw it in my bins though. I love the smell so if it keeps bugs away and makes my fabric smell nice, it's a win/win situation! :)

I use alot of lavender all over the house, I think it helps, plus smells so great!

I use the liquid starch and just add some lavendar to it. It smells heavenly ( may explain why I suddenly don't mind ironing!) and it supposedly keeps bugs away.

Cool idea Ginnie...bit of aromatherapy to get that ironing pile reduced!

What a wealth of information we have here

Where do you buy lavendar? What kind do you put in with fabric? What type do you put in the water so it doesn't damage the fabric with spots?

Thanks