USDA Discovers Moth Repellent in Fungus

Government scientists have identified an extract from a soil fungus that protects wool clothes from moths and beetles longer than mothballs and doesn’t leave an odor, the U.S. Agriculture Department said.

Roy Bry, an entomologist with the department’s Agricultural Research Service, said the wool protectant could probably be developed as an aerosol spray.

And, while moth balls are usually effective for about a year, fabrics treated with the soil fungus extract five years ago continue to repel moths, the department said.

The protectant is derived from avermectin, an anti-parasitic agent produced by a soil fungus.

Bry said he has conducted tests on the three worst enemies of wool fabric--the furniture carpet beetle, webbing clothes moth and black carpet beetle--and found that the fungus extract either killed or repelled larvae, even after washings and dry cleanings.

Avermectin was developed by Merck & Co of Rahway, N.J., to prevent internal parasites in animals.