Freezing ponies? Do they cope? (Moth problems)

[WinterBlossom]

Hiya,

I have a bit of a specialist question here.

I have recently had a problem with clothes moths, and a couple of my ponies have been affected by them nibbling their manes.  I am not willing to use any insecticide chemicals on the ponies.

I know that freezing fabric for 24 hours in a sealed bag in the freezer works fine to kill moths, eggs and larvae.  I have also tested it on a (HK) Peachy and a (HK) Tutti Frutti, both of which were structurally fine afterwards, although Tutti Frutti's orange dye may have blackened a little.  Does anyone have any experience of freezing ponies, especially the non HK or China ponies?

I have a lot of Nirvanas I have frantically bagged and am watching like a hawk to make sure they are not affected. 

Thankfully none of my stock ponies (all of which were already bagged) have shown any signs of infestation, if any did, they would be pulled from my stock immediately and permanently.

Thanks for any input you have on this,

Ali.

[pinkkittywinks]

Yikes!!!!

I thought moths only like natural fibres and nylon was safe

I've never frozen a pony, so I don't know how it would affect them.

I recall a long time ago someone posting about how she used to put her Mimic freezer as she liked the click-clack sound frozen hooves made. However she dropped Mimic  when getting her out of the freezer and her horn broke off. I believe that was the only side-effect and the pony was ok, in spite of being in and out of the freezer.

Love pkw xxx

[WinterBlossom]

Thanks! 

I tested both Peachy and Tutti Frutti for squeeziness after they had defrosted and they seemed to have no problems, other than this weird colour thing with TF's symbol, but that may have already been there (although i don't think so).

I'm a bit paranoid about freezing any nirvanas due to different plastic types, but if I do have to do any, I will make notes on the outcome.  Hopefully I have caught everything now.  It is getting like Fort Knox in my pony room.

I have only ever had trouble with 2 ponies actually having hair nibbled through, not the ones I froze, but Gypsy and Whirly, both of whom already had slightly faded hair, and were still dirty.  Normally the moths eat the dirt off organic fibres, but incidentally bite through the actual fibres.  The pony hair gummed them up and killed them, but the damage was done.

[tulagirl]

Oh I have had those moths. I just wanted to poke my head in and share your pain.  They are very difficult.  I got them from my mother who sent me home with her doll.  They were in the dolls hair eating the hair. I didn't know they were in there.  When I finally saw them I washed them out, but it was too late. They had already taken up residence in my home too. I did repair her doll and send it back. She refuses to use pesticides and still has moths to this day. I exterminated and I do not have them anymore except in the garage for some reason I can't explain.  I have frozen a pony in ice for a photo and nothing bad happened to the pony.  It was a baby HK pony and not a Nirvana though. 

[pinkkittywinks]

I'm still reeling in horror at this

I told my mum about the moths in your ponies and she's bought me some moth repellent sachets to put in my pony cupboard. I have them in my wardrobe and drawers already with my clothes.

I know cedar wood and lavender are natural insect repellents. I might make some lavender bags as I prefer the smell of lavender to cedar wood!

Mum has a fancy hand made Teddy Bear made from mohair and she told me she found a clothes Moth on him not too long ago

The only thing I've ever found in with my ponies was a few spiders. I also discovered that spider "dirt" leaves stains on ponies

Love pkw xxx