Uninvited Guests
Share
Every wool-lover's nightmare, moths. We have seen 3 moths in the shop and that is 3 too many. Yesterday, Monday October 5, 2026 we made the decision to close the store in order to figure out what we are going to do. We are still figuring that out.
Here is what we do know:
- We are taking this VERY seriously!
- We will not reopen until we have a clean shop and clean product.
- The online store will be closed until we have safe and clean product to ship.
- We will be completely transparent about our process including how we treat the product, how we clean the space, and what preventative measures we will take going forward.
- We will make regular reports on our progress about what we are learning, here on our blog, where everyone can see it.
If you have an outstanding online order or are registered in an upcoming class, please keep an eye out for an email from us in the next 48 hours.
As I write this, it is day two. I do not know all the details of how we will accomplish this. We are figuring it out with a bunch of smart and capable people. I will share more soon.
If you have questions, please reach out to maia@blacksquirrelberkeley.sbs. I don't have the ability to reply to comments on the blog, but I will respond to your questions and comments in future blog posts.
More information coming soon.
Maia
10 comments
So sorry to hear of your potential insect situation 😮. While a new customer I really enjoyed my visit to your store. Everybody was friendly and Very helpful. I am now knitting with the yarn I purchased from you and it is a real pleasure to worth with.
I had a recent invasion by moths and boy what a pain to deal with 🤪. I believe that the source was from Amazon boxes I had brought into my home. I actually saw one fly out of a box. I now have invested in several types of moth repellent other than the typical smelly moth balls. Huge improvement after some tiny holes in woolen jackets and one ball of yarn that apparently was a huge favorite of the little devils. Best of luck with this endeavor and wishes for an insect free environment always !
Sending much love and good vibes as you work through this problem! Looking forward to the Thursday knit nights as soon as you reopen :)
This comment may be helpful for home stashes. I formerly lived in a city with frequent bed bug infestations, and quelled a home invasion more than once thanks to a ZappBug Heater. I’ve filled it with books, electronic devices, and it’s now heating my yarn for peace of mind. It has a low profile for storage when not in use. Home yarn crafters may find this a worthwhile investment for years to come. Best wishes to the store and inventory, looking forward to hanging out at the table when you’re back in business!
ZappBug Heater:
https://zappbug.com/products/the-zappbug-heater?variant=36840499445927&country=US¤cy=USD&utm_medium=product_sync&utm_source=google&utm_content=sag_organic&utm_campaign=sag_organic&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=21547288533&gbraid=0AAAAADv3lEvYXz8ewJALGrIzMaVvXhEdR&gclid=CjwKCAjwirLWBhBBEiwAlItbEtrDo1SmJg-qDss5Utw-Dr_mAdjS6XQxR4zKFz14cXrECd2aElUI1hoCU6QQAvD_BwE
Can’t wait for the shop to open back up!! Such a genuine and ethical store is much needed during these times 🥰 best of luck to the team!! #teamsquirrel
What terrible news! Wishing everyone in the shop well + a recovery as soon as possible with minimum hassle— moths are a nightmare for one stash alone and I can’t imagine trying to wrangle it on a wider scale. Looking forward to saying hello and buying yarn when it’s all over!