Moth holes in sweater archived

Hi there - I just found that one of my favorite sweaters has a small moth hole. I'm not very handy with fixing such things and so I'm looking for a local tailor who might have experience repairing moth eaten sweaters. Thank you!

While you are looking for the tailor to repair the hole, put that sweater into a ziploc freezer bag and put it in the freezer for a few days, maybe even a week. If there are any other eggs there, you might find you have more than one hole unless you take preemptive measures. Freezing will kill any larvae that emerge or are lurking.

Had a similar experience with a good wool sweater from LLBean. Turns out that moths will only eat pure or nearly pure wool objects.........any blends upsets their little tummy.

The Cleaner on Millburn Ave in Millburn that advertises itself as organic cleaner........no caustic chemicals repairs at a reasonable price.

Post Note........LLBean claims it should have never happened as their clothing is "moth proofed". They replaced the sweater for no charge.

Thanks for the responses and advice!

This is why I don't do wool anything anymore... after the little monsters ate my lovely cashmere sweater.

ARGH. After reading and responding in this thread, I went upstairs and fished out a handmade wool shawl I made a few years ago and put it on, only to discover a moth hole the size of a dime. Shoot me.

I had this happen. I asked the lady at the knitting store on Springfield Ave and she recommended someone.

I can't recommend someone to fix them, but I can say that you must never store your sweaters dirty. Any kind of grease or food stuff on them is a closet moth's dream! Wash them or dry clean them and store them in a wood drawer.

Does storing your sweaters with mothballs really work?

I have no idea, but I can't stand the smell of mothballs. I am all in favor of trying lavender sachets or cedar, however. Still can't tell you if it works.

A lot of knitters I know store their wool in a large freezer in the basement.

If you really love the sweater, you need a re-weaver, not a tailor. More expensive but will be good as new and invisible. There were two in the city, but it is a dying art. Supreme (maybe Superior?) reweavers near Union Square and Alice Zlota near Bryant Park.

Avoid mothballs - stinky and toxic. Lavendar, cedar, mint, etc. may have some anti-moth properties. Also bay leaves. But Marylago's point above is key - store woolens clean. And even then, take them out periodically for some fresh air and sunshine. Insects go for dark places where they can do their damage undisturbed.

I have to point out though that moth-prevention is not just about wool. I have personal experience with critters eating manmade fibers as well.

Bay leaves? Ahhhh, now THAT I can do! And yes, storing wool and wool items CLEAN is crucial.

And they absolutely adore rabbit fur.