Candidate Mothproofers: Toxicity to Fabric Insects and Persistence Through Washing and Drycleaning – Part I

Excerpts from the report: One hundred and thirty-four compounds were investigated as potential mothproofers in 28-day mothproofing tests developed by the American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM). The compounds were applied to the cloth at 0.5 and 3 percent by weight. The test insects were larvae of the black carpet beetle, Attagenus megatoma (Fabricius). Results were evaluated according to visible damage and excrement weight. Cloths treated with 22 compounds passed all requirements of the test method for satisfactory protection before cleansing. Seven of these compounds applied at 3 percent by weight satisfactorily protected the cloth after one washing, two after one drycleaning, and three after one washing and one drycleaning. Dicapthon (ENT-17035) was the only compound that protected the cloth on the basis of all test criteria at both treatment levels. Only DDT, Perthane®, and Strobane® obtained their effectiveness by action other than toxicity. Trade names are used in this publication solely for the purpose of providing specific identification of the compounds tested. Mention of a trade name does not constitute a guarantee or warranty of the product by the U.S. Department of Agriculture or an endorsement over other products not mentioned. This publication reports research involving pesticides. It does not contain recommendations for their use, nor does it imply that the uses discussed here have been registered. All uses of pesticides must be registered by appropriate State and Federal agencies before they can be recommended.