Martha To The Rescue

I'll try everything and anything to rid my life of moths. Here's hoping!

Placing mothballs with your wools is an effective way to ward off hungry moths, but the smell can be offensive. Fortunately, there are several very pleasant-smelling herbs that do a good job of repelling moths, including lavender, wormwood, tansy, patchouli, santolina, and rosemary -- all of which can be easily grown in the garden. When these herbs are dried and combined with cedar shavings and some cinnamon sticks or whole cloves, the result is a moth-repellent mixture that's a much nicer alternative to store-bought mothballs.

To make attractive moth sachets, encase the herbs in a sheer, stiff fabric, such as organza. Cut two 5-inch squares of fabric, place one on top of the other, and pin them together. Sew around three sides with small straight stitches, or perhaps a tight zigzag stitch. Spoon the herbal mixture into the organza pouch, and then sew the remaining side closed. Trim the edges with pinking shears or scalloped scissors, and store the sachets with your wools. But keep in mind that it's actually the oils on unclean garments that moths are attracted to, so be sure to wash your clothes or have them dry-cleaned before you put them away.