Moths in a Bunad – Prevent, Spot and Rescue It

How moths damage a bunad

It is not the adult moths but the larvae that do the damage – they eat wool and keratin, and readily silk and feathers. They thrive where it is soiled, dark, undisturbed and humid, and hide in folds and seams where they are left alone. You usually notice the damage before you see a moth: small holes, sometimes fine webbing or gritty larval casings in the seams. That is exactly why the wool of the bunad – and any wool or silk embroidery – is just what the moth is after.

Prevent moths in the bunad

Prevention is mostly about how the bunad is stored. The single most important rule is to put it away clean – larvae are drawn to sweat, skin cells and food traces on the wool.

• Store clean: air and spot-clean the wool, wash the linen shirt, and never put away a bunad with sweat or stains in it.
• Use a breathable cover – a cotton or linen bag, never plastic, which traps moisture.
• Cool, dark and dry – avoid attics and cellars, where heat, damp and temperature swings invite moths.
• Cedar or lavender deters moths (but does not kill them) – refresh the scent as it fades.
• Look over and air the bunad regularly – a bunad that is disturbed is a poor home for moths.

Freeze when you suspect moths

If you suspect moths – or want to secure a bunad before hanging it near other wool – freezing is an effective, chemical-free measure. Cold kills both eggs and larvae.

1. Brush the garment lightly and pack it tightly in a plastic bag so moisture cannot get in.
2. Put the bag in the freezer – properly cold, around −18 °C, for several days.
3. For extra certainty, repeat with a round of thawing and re-freezing, so any newly hatched eggs are caught too.
4. Let the bunad come back to room temperature and air afterwards before hanging it back – and always before it goes near other wool.

Moth holes – can they be rescued?

Yes, often. The invisible route for a moth hole in wool is reweaving (kunststopping): a specialist weaves matching yarn into the weave, thread by thread, so the mend disappears into the fabric. On knitted parts a related technique is used instead. But be honest about expectations: reweaving works best on small holes. A large hole, or one in a very visible spot, may only be reducible to a discreet, visible mend – an entirely invisible result cannot be guaranteed. Matching the weight, twist, colour and patina of decades-old wool has its limits; sometimes yarn is harvested from a hidden seam allowance or hem of the garment itself. This is slow, highly skilled work – not a DIY job.

Send the bunad to us for reweaving

Once moths have made holes, repair is specialist work – and a bunad is worth doing right. Send it to us across Norway, and we reweave moth holes by working in yarn that matches as closely as the fibres allow, and we can secure loose embroidery and seams at the same time. Describe the damage and what you want – for example reweaving or silver polishing – in the comment field, and you see the price before you order. If the bunad needs to be ready for an occasion, be early ahead of 17 May.

Frequently asked questions