Hi. I need some help with an on-going issue I can't seem to solve. Something is eating away at my clothes! It's only (from what I have found so far) my thin cotton clothes- t-shirt material items and cotton underwear. I have been finding two or three tiny holes in these items over the past few years. At first, we had an exterminator come out and "bomb" the house with all drawers open. I was mostly finding holes in items in a particular drawer (where I keep all my cotton t-shirts). So I took everything out of that drawer and cleaned it out thoroughly and even used some insecticide spray in the drawer. I left the drawer empty for a month or so before returning items to it. Then I started finding tiny holes in my cotton underwear (which I keep in the same dresser as the t-shirts). We've had the exterminator out to do this "bomb" a few times and it isn't working. He also put some sort of traps under that dresser and in all the closets. I'm still finding new things with the little holes. We thought it was varied carpet beetles but don't know for sure.
Does anyone else have this problem? Any suggestions on what to do? We are just short of getting new dressers since it seems the problem is only in the clothes kept in the dressers. I can't afford to keep buying all new underwear and clothes all the time and our furniture is only a few years old so I don't really want to go to that extreme either. Please help!!!
Where are the holes? I get holes close to the belly button area from jeans (zipper/button friction). I have also had holes from my over-aggressive front loader washer machine's spin cycle. Those holes can be anywhere, but it's lots of little holes together.
The only other thing I can think of is putting cinnamon sticks in the drawer. Most bugs hate the smell.
Are the holes all over the shirts and undies or just at the bottom front? If it's just the bottom front, it's the zipper of your jeans tearing holes in them, especially if you pick up kids or carry your laundry basket in front of you, lean against the counter while cooking, etc. I bought a new pair of pants (and returned them) because the thread that stitched on the belt loops was so stiff it tore holes in my tucked in shirt after one day. Boy was I mad! They were expensive pants too (and an expensive shirt).
Anyway, my friends and I noticed a lot more holes in our tshirts after we had kids due to picking up our kids our shirts rubbing against our zippers. Yet another beautiful feature of motherhood.
It could be your washer/ dryer which is "eating" your clothes. Maybe there is something gritty and or heavy in the wash cycle, and it is causing these holes.
Best,
F. B.
Do you use bleach on your cottons?? It could be the bleach.
If you put cedar blocks in your closet and drawers - make sure you have them in a netting bag - and you have to "File" the blocks to keep the cedar fresh.
Cedar will mask the smell of the material so bugs won't come to them and lay their eggs.
Do you wash your cottons in hot water? It could be stress holes from the heat and wearing them, not bugs.
You can also "line" your drawers. I would move the dresser, vacuum under it, turn it upside down and vacuum the underside as well as take out each and every drawer and vacuum them as well. Get out any pests that might be in there...
Good luck!
I ditto the cedar blocks in the drawers. Also, it could be that they are congregating in your dirty clothes hamper. Carpet beetles esp love soiled or dirty clothing. Check that area as well.
Try some cedar (or mothballs, but the cedar smells better). Check Home Depot or Lowes and maybe even your supermarket for cedar balls or something similar to add to your dresser drawers.
It used to be moths and their larva that would eat clothes, in the areas that would have body odors left behind (not saying you don't wash your stuff) like armpits, etc.
It could also be the washer or laundry detergent with bleaches that is wearing down the cotton fabric. I try and use natural detergents or baking soda with white vinegar for the rinse cycle (no they don't smell bad after) since they are less likely to wear out the fabrics.
I had carpet beetles several years ago in my old house. I stopped hanging rugs outside when I washed them because I think that's when they were coming in the house. I also found them in my closet where I had some small rugs stored & they were munching away on them. After I threw those rugs out I didn't have anymore problems with them. Check all closets & areas where they might have a nest. Have you seen any on the floor near your dressers? They are very small (about the size of a tick) & brownish black.
If you really think it's the dressers then line the drawers with paper.
Or you could keep your clothing in large storage size zip lock bags and lay them in the dresser drawers.
That should keep any rough surfaces from snagging your clothing.
If you actually zip lock them up, it should also keep away any insects from eating the cotton too.
If you wash anything with a metal zipper with your cottons, the zipper can pull holes in the shirts/undies.
I used to toss a stay pair of jeans once in awhile in with some t-shirts or undies. Everytime, bam!! little holes...it was the zipper.
I was going to suggest front-loading washer . . . that's where I think my holes are coming from. I see them only in thin cotton clothing too. Drives me nuts.
