The moths were lurking pretty much where I suspected they were, under the bed cavorting with the Dust Bunnies of Unusual Size. And dirty socks, junk mail of questionable vintage and various other odds and ends. Mainly in the “odd” category: conference badges, candy wrappers, books, tax forms, empty soda bottles, random parts of electronics projects. And vast quantities of people hair.
The bed sits on top of six small utility shelves, all full of stuff, and it is the space under the bottom shelves where dust collects. Vacuuming is possible with effort, but quite annoying as it involves crawling on the floor around the shelves. The only way to really get everything is to disassemble this arrangement and that is not happening this weekend. The mattress is this hard-frame thing that takes at least two people to move, more if one is expected to be of the Feorlen variety.
I am currently waiting for the vacuum to cool down, having developed that ominous overheating rubber smell after about an hour of near-constant use. I do need to finish as quickly as possible however, so I can escort the now-vacuumed beasties to the outside garbage posthaste. When I can get the necessary assistance to move the bed, I’m going to adjust the shelves so the roomba can get under them. I’ve been threatening to do this for some time, despite the loss of storage space, for more-or-less this exact reason.
Nancy says:
I’m not sure if it actually helps or not, but it makes me feel good to kill the flying ones with the bug zapper. So far, they haven’t gotten to anything I’ll cry over. Ziploc bags and mothballs are good (yes, I know they’re toxic, but they work).
Tue 5 August 2008, 14:08feorlen says:
I found one straggler last night, which I gleefully smashed in my hand. So far no real damage, except possibly to the vacuum. I should replace the sticky traps, as it’s been about six months. Mothballs get a big fat Ewwww around here, I’m not thrilled with them but Mr. Allergy gets fussy about anything strongly scented so I’m reluctant to try.
As for prevention, I also buy Ziploc bags by the case from Costco. Not everything is encased in plastic, but most things not mid-project are. It also helps that, with the textile closet as fully packed as it is, there is regular turnover as I rummage around for things.
Wed 6 August 2008, 21:36