suwanneetrader Posted October 28, 2012 Share #1 Posted October 28, 2012 I have 35 + early USMC uniforms. I'm trying to save them for my 2 children as well as enjoying preserving history by researching and keeping documentation with each one. I have them on hangers in plastic suit storage bags with moth balls, but silverfish have gotten in some of them. I was told moth balls repel moths but not silverfish, and I should put cedar wood blocks in bags for the silverfish. Another man said spray bottom of storage bag with Raid ant/roach killer and place newspaper over it so jacket/pants do not touch it. PLEASE - how have you protected these 100 year old wool treasures? Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RustyCanteen Posted October 28, 2012 Share #2 Posted October 28, 2012 Silverfish are notoriously difficult to deal with, I think that there are few options, one of which is to consult a professional pestcontrol company. One problem is caused by suit bags, which are really intended to keep lint/dust/dirt off of clothing; of course I haven't found anything better either. They don't seal well and by their nature promote conditions attractive to insects that like to nibble on cloth; still, cool and dry enviroments with plenty of wool. Perhaps someone has other ideas and will share them, RC Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkdriver Posted October 28, 2012 Share #3 Posted October 28, 2012 Silverfish are very attracted to the glue used to glue cardboard boxes together, so moving any boxes away from your wool collection will help. As RC said, I would consider paying a professional exterminator to come in and give you a quote and tell you what they think would work best. It has been the best investment for me. Whenever I start seeing bugs, just call the guy, he comes out and does whatever is needed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gpw_42 Posted October 28, 2012 Share #4 Posted October 28, 2012 A couple of other tips I picked up from the Forum: 1) put a small fan in the closet where you store the uniforms. 2) remove them from these bags which promote what the bugs are looking for. 3) take the uniforms out a couple times a year to air out in the sun for an hour or 2. It's a pain to do, but good preventive "medicine." Good luck with this mess! Steve Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bluehawk Posted October 28, 2012 Share #5 Posted October 28, 2012 From long experience I would reinforce the urgency of professional exterminator services at the earliest possible time. Also, what I can offer as to storage facilities and chemicals (e.g. moth balls etc.) is that museum costume collections do the following: 1. Nothing is stored in any containers of any kind which prevent free circulation of air, ever 2. Moth balls etcetera are not used, period. At most, a desiccant capsule or device is sometimes added as an extra safeguard. Glad you caught the infestation early, if you did. But, once established, silver fish tend to reappear at intervals from then on unless dealt with thoroughly and aggressively (like most other destructive critters). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suwanneetrader Posted October 28, 2012 Author Share #6 Posted October 28, 2012 I hate to invite an unknown person into a room with my collection while uniforms may not turn the average thief on, guns will. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdeye Posted October 28, 2012 Share #7 Posted October 28, 2012 Well the good news is silver fish dont eat uniforms,,they like old books, wallpaper, boxes etc,,but yeah a guy doesnt want them around period there lots of info on the web but nothing definitive,,,call the professionals,,,maybe put your items in another room or place dark bags over them while he's there,,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1940Desoto Posted October 28, 2012 Share #8 Posted October 28, 2012 Richard, I always seal ANY item newly introduced to the collection in a plastic shopping bag and straight into the freezer for a few days, Kills eggs, larvae etc. Cedar is a great natural deterrent that is totally harmless to your prized posessions (Family and collection) . Here in AUS we have a company called ALBOX who manufacture and supply Archival quality storage/preservation items for archives, museums and collectors. It is all acid free material and I have been using it for years. There must be something similar available in the States ? http://www.albox.com.au/ Cheers Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1940Desoto Posted October 29, 2012 Share #9 Posted October 29, 2012 Further to my last, I have a few mates who have converted unservicable refrigerators into storage, sounds 'Kookie' I know but it works. Air tight and impregnable. It saved Indie's life in the '50's if you recall Your other option is Cedar as mentioned earlier. Wardrobes or chests are great but you must ensure that the inside of the stroge unit is left in its natural state, ie no varnish,sealers etc. Cheers Sean Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
3rdeye Posted October 29, 2012 Share #10 Posted October 29, 2012 Cedar is fine but remember cedar wood has "oil" for lack of a better term for it,,,I wouldnt store a uniform or anything actualy touching the cedar,,, Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Third Herd Posted October 29, 2012 Share #11 Posted October 29, 2012 I have seen an occasional silver fish in the bathroom in an addition to the house, this year I saw none. We had a drought, maybe they need moisture. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1940Desoto Posted October 29, 2012 Share #12 Posted October 29, 2012 Cedar is fine but remember cedar wood has "oil" for lack of a better term for it,,,I wouldnt store a uniform or anything actualy touching the cedar,,, From what I understand cedar oil, particualrly that extracted for use as a natural insect repellant comes from the bark. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suwanneetrader Posted October 29, 2012 Author Share #13 Posted October 29, 2012 Thankyou, I'm going to try the cedar, I wonder if a block of the wood in each suit bag or shavings would be best? Also one member said they eat glue on envelopes and old paper (like books) not uniforms. I thought the 2 or 3 small group of holes were made by the silverfish as they are the only insect I've seen in my hobbyroom (not in uniforms but in some 50 - 100 year old books and documents). What do you think? Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hawkdriver Posted October 29, 2012 Share #14 Posted October 29, 2012 Well the good news is silver fish dont eat uniforms,,they like old books, wallpaper, boxes etc,,but yeah a guy doesnt want them around period there lots of info on the web but nothing definitive,,,call the professionals,,,maybe put your items in another room or place dark bags over them while he's there,,, They don't eat the uniforms, but they do "mine" for the sizing that is left over in the material, leaving lines of cut down material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jgawne Posted October 30, 2012 Share #15 Posted October 30, 2012 Cedar does very very little to repell insects. It really doesn't. Silverfish pretty much need two things- a food source and humidity. remove all paper, carboard etc abnd vaccum as much as possible. http://www.museumpests.net/pdfholder/42image.pdf I sometimes cut up yellow no pest strips into small chunks and put them in sealed containers. The chemical in it is a neuro tioxin to all insects. They keep debating if the stuff hurts people and pets, but all they have so far is some 'possible' links to cancer - (bladder I think). The main problems with it is that it is heavier than air, so it sinks to the ground and slowly fumigates the area continuously. If in a basement, and someone sleeps down there it may bne a problem. If if is a basement collector room, and you only visit it periodically and for short amounts of time there's probably no danger. There is a problme with fressing everything, as most average freezers do not go down as low as they need to. Pluse NEVER freeze anything damp (it breaks the fibers) and put it in a plastic bag, and do not remove until it has warmed up, as otherwise water will condense on the cold material. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill in VA Posted November 1, 2012 Share #16 Posted November 1, 2012 diatomaceous earth works well for most insects and it's chemcially inert...you can even eat the stuff Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paul70 Posted November 3, 2012 Share #17 Posted November 3, 2012 I went to an old ladies house to interview her about her husband and she kept spearmint gum in all her cabinet drawers. I asked her why and she said it kept silverfish away. Anyone ever hear of that trick? Do roaches eat it? Paul Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suwanneetrader Posted November 3, 2012 Author Share #18 Posted November 3, 2012 I went to an old ladies house to interview her about her husband and she kept spearmint gum in all her cabinet drawers. I asked her why and she said it kept silverfish away. Anyone ever hear of that trick? Do roaches eat it? Paul Yes some older people used different kinds of mint as well as cloves. I do not know if it worked. Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted November 4, 2012 Share #19 Posted November 4, 2012 guys--- a real problem for sure. silverfish, moths and what ever crawls and creeps will and is going to find its way to your collectibles. its an on going war to save history and over time we loose. these pests can get through the smallest of openings and to use chemicals in a house is no good. i too do my best to keep what i have from any damage but, only so much can be done. the room my stuff is in is heated in the winter and ac'ed in the summer. many of my uniforms are in plastic sealed bags and paper--- letters, newspapers and other paper items in foot lockers. i have a couple of jackets that are mothed and in not to cared for shape which i dont dare take to the cleaners so they are in plastic bags. when you have a jacket that is origonal you do not want to remove the ribbons. my advive------ keep your room clean. inspect your items from time to time. keep the temp "livable" year round. its a pain but, what these little vermin wont do time will. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pbuchh7715 Posted December 5, 2012 Share #20 Posted December 5, 2012 Greetings, Silverfish will eat pretty much anything, to include cotton thread, linen and silk fabric. They don't limit themselves to book bindings and glue. And they can go for a LONG time without eating so when they make their way into your house after a "diet", they will look for their next meal from anything available, including synthetics. They aren't picky. I live in a fairly damp environment but have been relatively lucky. On the flip side, a friend in West Texas (pretty darn arid environment) ended up with a silverfish (aka carpetsharks) infestation due to unknown sources. They're as common as spiders and roaches so no one is safe despite their geography. There are several different pesticides on the market designed specifically for silverfish. But, as a repellant, cloves seem to work well. best, Peter Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
talontree14 Posted December 7, 2012 Share #21 Posted December 7, 2012 could you maybe freeze your uniforms for a few days then vacumm them? Wouldn't that solve the pest problem? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
1SG_1st_Cav Posted December 7, 2012 Share #22 Posted December 7, 2012 Try dried chicken blood and Pine Nuts. They always works for me! Danny Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
suwanneetrader Posted December 7, 2012 Author Share #23 Posted December 7, 2012 Danny: In my younger years the guy's at the Hunting Camp always had alot of fun telling me big tales as I would usually believe the ones that the teller seemed so serious. So old gullible me asks "are you serious" ? Richard Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RayRay Posted August 18, 2021 Share #24 Posted August 18, 2021 On 11/2/2012 at 10:04 PM, Paul70 said: I went to an old ladies house to interview her about her husband and she kept spearmint gum in all her cabinet drawers. I asked her why and she said it kept silverfish away. Anyone ever hear of that trick? Do roaches eat it? Paul Natural deterrent for bugs and mice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Airborne-Hunter Posted September 7, 2021 Share #25 Posted September 7, 2021 Silverfish are supposed to be attracted to moisture. In my experience, they can survive pretty dry environments. They are extremely difficult to kill. Oddly enough, the fastest kill for silverfish I have seen is "Up & Up" Target Brand Purple Multi Surface Cleaner. Works faster than raid. Silverfish will eat anything. I have personally seen then between the embroidery and the base material on patches moving around. They eat/destroy/manipulate anything - patches, cotton, wool, paper, books, wood. I have seen them under the bark and in cut tree rounds. Real bad. I have never had luck with cedar ball/bricks/closets. I don't think it works. Never tried the mint gum. Freezing works, but the caveat is time. 24-48 hours will NOT do it. I have personally put a uniform into a freezer at +20F for 7 days and watched a silver fish crawl out after. That was a slow moving zombie like silverfish, but it certainly was not dead. Since this experience, that freezer went to freezer heaven and I now freeze at -10F for 14+ days. Which really isn't enough. I can go to sub 20, but the lady of the house doesn't like it because if you touch anything you get freezer burn to your fingers right away. The link below shows is an excellent read. You absolutely need to go sub zero F and for a month. I have contemplated getting a dedicated chest freezer. I like sub 20. There is a major issue with freezing. When it comes out moisture will condense onto the object (and freeze that moisture before thawing and dripping) so it must be bagged before going into the freezer and then left bagged when pulled out of the freezer until reaching ambient temperature. That said, watching a german helmet go from -20F to 90F is one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. The layer of frost and then ice was incredible. And before anyone asks - yes there were silverfish eating the leather liner. https://www.canada.ca/en/conservation-institute/services/conservation-preservation-publications/canadian-conservation-institute-notes/controlling-insects-low-temperature.html Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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