Hope Chest Housekeeping - Pests

Pests. Pests are of obvious concern for our stored treasures because they cause significant damage if ignored. Good housekeeping helps prevent some damage and watching for infestations helps us keep on top of things.

Keep the storage container itself clean, as well as the surrounding environment. This is the best method for preventing trouble as pests are known to be attracted to a dirty environment. In all cases, chemical means of pest control, such as moth balls, really should be avoided. Chemicals are not only harmful to those who come in contact with them, but the chemicals themselves may cause damage to the very textiles we want to save. In a severe infestation, professional help could be contacted.

Various herbs have been used throughout history to help repel insect pests. The regrettable truth is that herbs are simply not as effective at deterring pests as poison is, but we do have a choice to protect our health above all else. So I use herbal sachets in the hope chest and try to change them out to keep them fresh. There is little scientific evidence to support their use, but plenty of historical precedent urges me to use them anyway!

Traditional moth herbs are southernwood, sweet annie, wormwood and tarragon. Cedar and lavender are also effective and smell lovely. Other herbs such as lemon verbena, french marigold, coriander, pyrethrum and pennyroyal are also useful in a moth sachet. Just combine any of these herbs in a loosely woven bag and place it among your linens.

Another tip to preventing pests is to practice good hope chest housekeeping. A regular routine is not only prudent but also a delight as you look in on all the beautiful things you have stored. Pests typically love darkness and close quarters, so airing your linens now and then is a good idea. This is another historical practice that still has relevance today. Open up the hope chest and pull out all the pretty things you have stored. Give them all a good shake and check the cracks and crevices for signs of damage. This disturbs any insect life and helps any infestation to be detected and dealt with. Refold the linens, changing the positions of the folds to relieve the tension on the fabric. Then refresh or replace your sachets. You are good to go for another period of time.