Moth Control

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M

Matoaka

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Apr 28, 2002
Posts
519
Loc
Albuquerque, NM
I'm framing a wool Navajo rug. The customer wants to bury some mothballs in the back of the frame (we had a small epidemic of moths last year). The rug is new, but will become a family treasure, as it was made by one of his relatives.

Any suggestions??

Thanks,
Susan
 
I'm not positive, but isn't ceder a wood that will repel and or kill moths and bugs? Could you not make your glass spacers from ceder? I think that would be my approach. Moth balls will only last so long. Moth balls also give off fumes that are not good for humans or animals, I don't think it is a wise idea to use them at all. I suggest you call a lumber supplier and talk to them about what wood would repel bugs.

John
 
Great idea, John!!

Thanks!
Susan
 
Or, if you don't want to see the cedar inside the framing package, you could buy a piece of cedar chip board from your local lumber yard and use it behind the backing.

It would be heavy but you wouldn't have to worry about it supporting the weight of the rug.

Sounds like a neat project.

Kit
 
These are good ideas for unsealed situtations, but remember, for the "preservationally minded", cedar and other insecticides can cause problems for the artifact one is trying to preserve.

It might make more sense to freeze the rug to kill any possible insect/larve/eggs, and then to frame it in a sealed system a la Hugh. Even a backing of Coroplast/screwed in strainer (this could be cedar) and Linco frame sealing tape would in all likely hood keep the little buggers out.

If you are interested I can post links to insect eradication via freezing and heating tomorrow.

Rebecca
 
Freezing and sealing sounds like the best archival approach.

Navajo rugs are incredibly durable, but I still wouldn't like to add chemicals to the package, because (if it's "the real thing") the vegetable dyes may react to them.

The Miller moths we get invaded by each spring don't eat wool, by the way. They are just here to mate and pee on everything. They will lay their eggs somewhere in Colorado.
 
You folks are just full of handy information!

Hanna, thanks for the Miller moth info. I had no idea that all those little stains on my sweaters were moth pee! :eek:

Rebecca, if you could post the freezing/heating process, I'd appreciate it. ...Just in case those moths find the property values in Colorado are too high and come back to New Mexico.

Thanks,
Susan
 
We have moths. They won't go away. They lay eggs on cedar blocks. Mothballs help, but since we got the parrot we have been conservative with the toxins. My wifes Persian lamb was a nursery. Mothballs and shrinkwrap are holding them at bay. Good Luck at finding a solution.
 
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