Insect Damage

**HOW INSECTS  DAMAGE CLOTHES **

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM?

Sometimes, seemingly out of nowhere, mysterious

small holes or loss of surface fibers appear on a fabric.

WHAT DOES IT LOOK LIKE?

Normally this damage looks like small holes in the fabric.

In some instances, however, mainly on soft fabrics

with a nap, the fiber damage appears as irregular “trails”

or veins across the surface. This damage can appear in

just one area or could be in several areas of a garment at

random.

WHAT CAUSED IT?

Bugs. Many insects, such as moths, silverfish, cockroaches,

and beetles, are attracted to textiles with food,

beverage, and perspiration stains left on them. Insect

damage is more common on wool fabrics, since these

fibers are made from a protein that particularly attracts

moths. Moth damage is actually caused by larvae of the

hatched eggs that were laid in the fabric while in storage

long before the damage appears. It may show up on just

one garment in a closet or affect several garments.

CAN IT BE PREVENTED?

The best method for preventing insect damage is to frequently

inspect and clean dark areas in rooms, closets,

and storage containers. Wash and dry clean garments regularly

and always clean just before any prolonged storage.

If possible, store items in tight containers or sealed garment

bags. Closed cedar closets and cedar chests can

serve as insect-proof containers, although like cedar

chips, mothballs, or crystals, these methods have no guaranteed

mothproofing value. In order for any insect protection

to be truly effective, the storage container must be

tight so that insects cannot get in.

WHO IS RESPONSIBLE?

This type of damage happens over a period of time

while the garment is in home storage, so the owner of the

garment (through no fault of his own) is ultimately

responsible. Insect damage is beyond the control of the

cleaner, since he cannot predict or prevent this type of

damage from appearing.

IS THERE A REMEDY?

If the damage is small enough, the area might be

repaired or re-woven, but usually the holes and/or “trails”

are too numerous to make this repair practical.

Insects caused the holes on the lapel of this jacket.

INSET: Bite marks from insect attacks on two separate fibers

can be seen through a high-powered microscope.

No. 356 IFI Bulletin —