Click for Spinning Fuzzy Lop Fiber, Herbal Medicine
Since most wool rabbit hobbyists have only one or two wool rabbits or may buy a
small amount of fiber at a time, it will take time to collect enough fiber for a project
. It is very important to store the fiber that is harvested correctly. Rabbit fiber can
felt very easily so when storing your fiber keep it in a container that will not collect
moisture but allow the fiber to breath. NEVER over pack your fiber. The pressure
and any natural moisture will felt the fibers. I like to store my fiber in clear plastic
bins with covers that are not super air tight but tight enough to keep unwanted pests
out and allow natural moisture to escape. I like the clear bins because it does let
light in. However, don't let them sit in the direct sunlight. Prolonged exposure to
sunlight could break down the fibers and may cause your fiber to sweat out its
natural moisture. I also like to store the bins where they will freeze and then warm
up to about 120 degrees. That area is the loft of the barn. I do that because of
Angora fiber's arch enemy, the common wool moth. Wool moths LOVE Angora. I
am sure they are attracted to Angora fiber because you usually don't wash Angora
fiber before spinning or storing. Moths love dark, warm humid areas to lay their
eggs. The larva are the ones that destroy the fiber by eating it. When storing your
fiber always try to disguise its natural odor. Using a scented bar of soap ( Irish
spring ), Lavender oil, cedar blocks, peppermint, camphor basil (Ocimum kilimand-
scharimum), cedar shavings, eucalyptus (Eucalyptus spp.), pennyroyal, painted
daisies (Chrysaemum coccineum), rosemary (Rosmarinus officinalis), santolina
(Santolina chamaecyparissus), tansy, or wormwood all provide suitable plant
material for moth-be-gone sachets . You can also use moth balls . Moth balls will kill
the moth and larva but it does have that lingering unpleasant odor and scientists are
now finding that prolonged exposure to the mothball chemical can be harmful to our
health. Cedar wood will kill small larva only. All other scents will just distract the
moth from the fiber. If you do find that your fiber has been infected with moths it is
best it discard the damaged fibers and any larva found. Then treat the undamaged
fiber by placing it a week in the freezer, then removing it to room temperature for
about two weeks, then back in the freezer for a few day again. You can also place
your fiber in your car during the summer. The summer temperatures in your car
can reach 106 to 120 degrees which will also help to kill the moth and larva. Place
your fiber in the hot car for about a week then back in the freezer. Another way you
can destroy both the moth and the larva is to place your fiber in a plastic bag with
about a pound of dry ice. Leave a small hole at the top so that the gas has a place
to escape so it won't expand the bag and break it. Leave the bag sit over night and
don't open it till all the dry ice has evaporated. The carbon dioxide will kill all living
stages of the moth . Do not let the dry ice touch your skin.
It is best to fluff and turn your fiber in its storage container occasionally to
keep it from compacting and settling.
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