I did a bunch of research on moths (cashmere fiend that I am) and learned that cedar is only somewhat a deterrent - they don't like it, but it doesn't kill them or really do much. the reason cedar chests protect your stuff is mostly because they usually close tightly - they're a physical barrier!

what does work: wash affected items with borax to kill any eggs that may be present (if possible use hot water and hot dryer - not going to work for cashmere though!) then seal them up in sweater bags to protect them. (I've been using the po' folks version: big ziplocks!)

you can also throw down borax onto rugs and then vacuum it up (this worked great in my room where they ate some holes in my carpet, which BTW was not old.) also, of course, kill any moths you see. sadly, I lost a gorgeous antique wool rug/wall hanging from India, which I'd inherited from my mom. :-( so, watch out for these little bastards! we didn't worry much when we first saw them - but now I hunt down every one I can.

the adult moths don't eat (they don't really have mouths) so they have to do all their eating at the larval stage. I also learned that they are pretty much the only creatures that can digest keratin (hair, fingernails etc) and they can actually live on fingernail clippings and stray hairs, though they can't get enough nourishment from only wool fibres, they need more - so clean sweaters won't really do much for them (though they will still try to et them - they'll even eat synthetic fibers - but they'll be undernourished and probably not make it in that case. so you still want your sweater bags.) so, sweep up - get rid of their food and their habitat.

clothes moths are small, brown, and not good flyers. they hide from light (unlike the kind of moths we're most familiar with.) they tend to run away rather than flying, and usually they'll just try to hide in the nearest dark place. I'm not sure where these came from but I think we've mostly routed them. stupid bugs! (no offense, Ms Entymologist!) ;-)

I agree, they are pretty cool looking... I liked its aqua/green belly and under-eyes the best. It was like a little bonus. I wound up letting it go after I learned what it was.

Composters agreed that they are good in the bin as they make it difficult for the less desirables to breed in the mix of yummy goodness. With that in mind, they get to stay; although, I hope they don't mind being turned from time to time.

I actually use wine to trap fruit flies when I decide there are too many! just leave a few shot glasses around and wait. (we also had a carniverous plant which worked pretty well but I thought it died when it tried to go to sleep for the winter, so I let it dry out...)

thanks for the expert info! it's a big relief to learn that they aren't termites!