Dieldrin as a Permanent Mothproofing Agent1

Abstract

Samples of Botany flannel standard test fabric and standard blanket fabric, dieldrin-treated and untreated, dyed and undyed, manipulated far in excess of pertaining American Society for Testing Materials (ASTM) requirements and unmanipulated, were subjected to 28 days of feeding by black carpet beetle larvae (Attagenus piceus (Oliv.)) in accordance with ASTM Designation: D 582-54 to determine the efficacy and durability of dieldrin as a permanent mothproofing agent for woolens. Five replicate test strips were used for each test increment, with 10 replicate test strips being used for each untreated manipulated and untreated unmanipulated increment to establish base-line feeding potentials. Dieldrin-treated fabrics, dyed and undyed, manipulated far in excess of pertaining ASTM requirements and unmanipulated, were protected against black carpet beetle larval feeding throughout the duration of the test period. Dieldrin-treated fabrics which, prior to feeding exposure, had been subjected to 20 washings, 25 drycleanings with Stoddard solvent, 25 Hoffman pressings, 5 Stoddard drycleanings plus wet cleaning, 5 sea water saturations, 5 acid or 5 alkaline perspiration saturations, 100 hours in a Fadeometer, or in excess of the ASTM standard abrasion test, were protected against black carpet beetle larval feeding. Such manipulations did not appear to affect the protectant efficacy or durability of the dieldrin treatment. All untreated manipulated and untreated unmanipulated fabrics were destroyed by severe warp and severe nap feeding.