Hi Jeanne - I do not use cedar nor is it typically recommended for long-term storage of woolens. It doesn't really repel the moths and it certainly does nothing to kill the 'flyers' which lay the larvae, which is what really damages the fabrics as they crawl along and munch on them. Cedar oils can stain the textiles/garments and don't really do much to help the situation. Lavender, another 'housewife' trick, also does nothing to solve the issue. About the only thing available to a lay person is PDB (Para dichlorobenzene) moth balls. Regular moth balls don't really do much except smell, but at least the PDB will help kill the flyers before they can lay more eggs. The suggestion is typically to put them in a muslin bag and hang them ABOVE the clothing. But above else, as with all issues of IMP, cleanliness IS next to Godliness. Keeping the away cleaned on a regular basis will do more to solve the issue than anything else (just make sure you get rid of the vacuum bag, observe usual precautions re: vacuuming objects through a screen, etc.) Having gone through a 2 year freezing process of a clothing/textile collection, I wouldn't wish that on my worst enemy. Hope this helps. Best, VivianLea Stevens VivianLea Stevens Curator, Old Barracks Museum 609-396-1776 -----Original Message----- From: Museum discussion list [mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Jean Kolva Sent: Wednesday, June 11, 2003 9:17 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject: Re: Clothing and moths Does anyone else use cedar lined boxes and closets for long-tern, moth-free storage of woolens? Jeanne Kolva Highland Park Historical Society Ian Loughead wrote: > I agree that freezing and vacuuming is the best way to get rid of the > clothes moths. Wrap everything in tissue then in plastic by itself. This > will prevent the items from drying out as the tissue will absorb the > moisture and then release it back to the item. Plus the tissue will prevent > water from pooling (such as on the surface of the plastic) which could lead > to water stains. > > You should do the second freezing for 2 weeks though as this is the > generally accepted lifespan of the eggs that are layed. The adult moth > doesn't eat the textile, but the larvae do so it is very important to get > rid of the eggs. > > Good Luck > > Ian Loughead > Conservator > Fortress of Louisbourg, NHS > Parks Canada > > ========================================================= > Important Subscriber Information: > > The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). > > If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes). ========================================================= Important Subscriber Information: The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes). If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).