margie77072

Check out this link. http://www.thriftyideastoday.com/201...corn-bugs.html

QuilterGary

I had to go look at the starch that I use and it does not anything listed about the contents. I use Niagara in a spray bottle that I like. Niagara was no listed on the link. Sometimes I think these co. come up with a sales trick. Corn starch was and has been used for years and years. But I could see something with starch stored for long periods of time.

earthwalker

Bugs...silverfish in particular will eat almost anything...paper is a definite favourite. Best not to starch anything which is going to be stored, undisturbed for any length of time. This would not be a problem if you regularly aired and refolded or used some kind of pest killer.

Peckish

The MSDS (Material Safety Data Sheet) for both types of Niagra (aerosol and non-aerosol) lists starch as its main ingredient.

Starch is an essential tool in my sewing room, I simply make sure I don't store fabric that has been starched. I have had problems with silverfish and pantry moths in the past.

cmw0829

We've had this discussion many times and with many disagreements. It seems as if the starch and bugs issue depends on the climate one is in but I'd rather be safe than sorry.

Since I store a lot of unfinished quilt tops (which will be washed after quilting), I don't use starch.

I did confirm the information in the link directly with the company several months ago.

CoyoteQuilts

I lived in New York State the first 38 years of my life and the last 18 here in AZ. I starched things in NY that I have yet to use and I don't have bugs in my fabric. Yes, I have re-sorted/boxed all of my fabrics several times over the years. I am also lucky enough to have wool that has not been attacked by the moths and are hole free. I guess I am one of the lucky ones..... I have read that it is the humid air that aids in the animals liking the starch. It just depends on what each of us likes to do and our experience. Just like what store we buy our fabric from and if we like hand or machine stitching.....

cmw0829

DH lost all of his suits to moths as he no longer wore them regularly. But they were in the closet which was opened daily. Oh well.

We didn't know we had moth damage until I tried to brush away a piece of white lint on his dark suit - at his mother's funeral. Oops - it was his shirt showing through. We found holes in the pants of another suit at my father's funeral. Not the funniest times or places to find these things but we still laugh about it.

gailinva

Thanks for the info. Didn't know Mary Ellen's Best Press was starch based. I use Magic Sizing and have used it for years.

sylviak

I also use Magic Sizing, and it doesn't give starch as an ingredient. It says "film former", whatever that is. It is made by Faultless Starch Co. I don't know if "film former" attracts bugs or not.

BellaBoo

I won't waste my time worrying if starch attracts bugs. if I see bugs in my house I call an exterminator. Get rid of the bugs not the starch.