Bugs and Feathers

[WhoMe]

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I just opened my big plastic feather box to pick out some feathers for a new fan. As I started going through the different prepared bunches, I noticed that a "critter" has eaten its way through my best feathers.

It must have been a connoiseur of feathers, because it went straight to the choice feathers.

I know freezing them will kill them over time. But I don't want the critters next to the food.

I heard there was a thread on this about three years ago. I was not around then. So I am posting because I need help.



Are there any suggestions to get rid of the critters? Are there any poisons that will not be harmful once I start to work with the feathers?

[billyjoejimbob]

Wow, never tried microwaving. What will they think of next.

I have only heard of the freezing.

I also heard of wetting your roach, wrapping it and putting it in the oven on 400 for 15 min to straighten it out.

[storm]

There are even ways to save the bug eaten parts. If there is only a hole and the vane is still in place a little spot of some seam glue or rip stop clear fabric glue will hold the vane. Use similar techniques to repairing old books...some rice aper or even a tiny bit tissue plus seam seal will make an almost invisible patch. You can patch in other parts of feathers into eaten parts using this technique...like most skills it takes some practice. I have "made" feathers using this . Common Borax mixed in the feathers will keep bugs out and is not hazardous. Just a little messy. also wrap bunches of feathers in bounce fabric softener to keep them shiny and bug free. If I get more time i will add more later.
I keep all feathers in plastic shoe boxes in the freezer, it takes me years to get to them anyway....

[Mr Bo Jangles]

Paradichlorobenzine.

It's a type of Mothball. It has no smell.....kills the mites, doesn't stain or discolor.

You can buy em at Wal-mart.....dirt cheap.

Just don't put them in a cedar box, there's a chemical reaction with the wood resins and it'll create this gummy mess on ANYTHING in that box!

But, otherwise, put em ina plastic container....with your feathers.....no more mites.

[[email protected]]

how do the mites look...''lol well i never clean my feathers actually i jus washed my feathers there was no mites ...''lol

[Blackbear]

Most mites are smaller than our eyes can see BFH... and they are everywhere....

[[email protected]]

o i c i wonder if i have mites on my feathers rite now even though i washed them

[Blackbear]

o i c i wonder if i have mites on my feathers rite now even though i washed them

possibly... there are these mites that are in our beds and pillows cause they eat dead skin cells.. not trying to gross you out.. but I think the mites that they are talking about are one's that birds have.

[Mr Bo Jangles]

OH yeah....Paradichlorobenzine is also something frequently used by musuems to protect valuable, irreplaceable items.

Another thing you could use...........IF you can still get it, although I think the US EPA have since banned it. It's basically dry cleaning fluid.

It drys almost immediately....doesn't harm the feather and makes the feathers totally unpalatable to mites.

[WhoMe]

OH yeah....Paradichlorobenzine is also something frequently used by musuems to protect valuable, irreplaceable items.

Another thing you could use...........IF you can still get it, although I think the US EPA have since banned it. It's basically dry cleaning fluid.

It drys almost immediately....doesn't harm the feather and makes the feathers totally unpalatable to mites.

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Thanks for all your help. I got a local museum to freeze all my feathers and will be able to pick them up after the Gathering. It was pointed out that a group of beetles were having their own Gathering of Nations in my feather bin.

Rumaki:

Thanks for the suggestion. I just hope I can remember how to pronounce Paradiclorobenzine . . . because Im lible to ask for "PordacloroxbecuzImobscene." *LOL

[Homalosa]

Hmm, good insight. I have cedar blocks in my plastic bin. Haven't seen any damage. So my question is, does the cedar only repel bigger bugs like moths, or will it also take care of mites?

[Yelloweyes]

WoW thanks for the info and now I'm going to go check my trunk of feathers. I hate bugs. There was cedar in the trunk at one time, but I'll have to see. Paradichlorobenzine , walmart is close by that is a big help.

[Blackbear]

Hmm... I had the bright idea to try and find out what the active ingredient in the dryel stain remover is..but after seeing the hazzard report on the product.. it does'nt list Paradicholorobenzine...and it meets all requirements for normal waste disposal.. but I wonder if it would clean feathers any good... I'll have to go buy a white turkey feather and try it out...eh?

[redstone_on_warpath]

well i read thay mite spray for pet birds will kill mites and ummm raid spraid into a cotton ball placed in a container w/feather in a bag protected from spray will kill mites raid will eat your feather away so leave feather in container for only an hr or so