Bamboo and pests
Short answer: Untreated bamboo can be attacked by insects, because the culms contain starch and sugar. That is why bamboo is treated for building and furniture, while textiles made from bamboo viscose do not have the same problem.
Sugar in the culm
Bamboo contains starch and sugar, which attract certain insects, including beetles that bore into the culm. This is the main reason bamboo has to be treated before it is used for anything meant to last. The content is highest in fresh culms and can vary with the harvest season.
Treatment
Culms are treated or dried to reduce the starch and sugar before they are used for building and furniture. There are several methods, from soaking in water to heat treatment and treatment with salts. The aim is the same: to make the culm less attractive to insects and fungi.
Moisture and fungi
Besides insects, moisture can cause problems. If bamboo stays wet for a long time, it can go mouldy or rot. This applies especially outdoors and in contact with the ground. Dry conditions and good ventilation make a big difference to how long a bamboo product lasts.
Indoors
Indoors in dry conditions the risk is small, especially for treated products. A chopping board, a floor or a shelf made of bamboo has usually been both dried and treated. Keep them dry and wipe off water straight away, and they will last longest.
Textiles
In textiles there is no starch left, because the cellulose has been cleaned and dissolved. The finished fibre is pure cellulose and has none of what attracts insects in the culm. See how the plant becomes fabric in from bamboo plant to soft fabric.
Moths in clothing
Moths go for sweat, skin cells and food traces in clothing, not for the fibre itself. Wool is most at risk, but unwashed clothes of any material can attract them. The best protection is to wash clothes before you put them away. See how to store seasonal clothes without smell and moths.
Storing clothes
To avoid pests in the wardrobe, pack away clean and dry clothes. Use breathable bags or boxes, and avoid plastic that traps moisture. Air the wardrobe now and then. If clothes smell stale after storage, read more about storing bamboo clothing.
See the range
For men, underwear, socks and t-shirts are the most used bamboo items. They are washed often and rarely sit long in the wardrobe, so the risk of moths is small. Wash them gently and let them dry hanging. See the range in bamboo clothing for men.
See also
Bamboo is often called a tree, but it is a grass. That explains why the culm is hollow, grows so fast and holds so much sugar when fresh. Read more about the plant in is bamboo a grass or a tree.
In short
Pests are an issue for bamboo as a building material and in furniture, and they are handled with treatment and dry conditions. For clothing, the same advice applies as for any other clothes: wash before storing, and keep them dry and airy.
Frequently asked questions
Can bamboo be attacked by insects?
Untreated, yes, because the culms contain starch and sugar. That is why bamboo is dried and treated before it is used for building and furniture.
Can moths get into bamboo clothing?
Moths go for sweat and skin cells in clothing, not for the fibre. Wash clothes before you put them away, and store them somewhere dry and airy.
Is there starch in bamboo fabric?
No. The cellulose is cleaned and dissolved during production, so no starch or sugar is left in the finished fibre.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
