I hate moths. The ones that eat my clothes only.

[Antidigger]

This autumn I have noticed several clothes moths in my house , I don't want them to eat my lovely jumpers. I don't want them to eat my lovely carpet that I saved for ages for .

But, I don't want to squish them or poison them either. So looking through my book of old wives tales I find that conkers (horse chestnuts) are supposed to discourage moths, and I love conkers . Maybe that's why there were no clothes moths in my old house?

So I went a-conkering and came home with a big bagful. I got my drill out (how I love playing with power tools! ) and set to work.


My cashmere jumper newly protected

Hanging in my wardrobe

A beautiful bundle ready for anything that needs extra care.

I've also tossed a few into my knitting stash.

[pinokeeo]

Nice job.  They will also keep the garden variety spiders out of your house.   I learned that from a lady in Canada a few years ago.

[elderflower]

Conkers are so beautiful with that rich brown colour.  I had no idea they repelled moths. Thanks for the idea.

I use Sandalwood to keep moths out.  My husband used to bring home pencils from hotels that he stayed in and I discovered, quite by accident, that they were often made of sandalwood.  If you sand them every now and then it refreshes the smell.

[Antidigger]

I love their rich colour, I love their smooth roundness and the generosity of the tree as well. I've always had a conkers in my old house, not for any other reason than I liked them: Autumn came and I picked them up.

Well, when I moved I had to thin down my stuff considerably and the conkers had to go. I moved house last autumn, just after conker season, so I thought I'd pick some up next year. I have never had so many clothes moths as I do now. It could be co-incidence: after all I'm in a different part of the country, but I still love conkers and will pick 'em up wherever I see them.

[LimeRiot]

Oh my gosh!! My folks have a GIANT horse chestnut tree at their house. I had no idea that 1) they were called conkers or 2) they could be used for this purpose. I'm definitely going to be making some of these. Thanks for the great idea.

[mrsflibble]

I had no idea!!!

also they're a great source of sapponins an can be used as a soap substitute

[Antidigger]

Ooh, soapy conkers......I'm just going out to get another huge bagful tomorrow then.