Simplejack 0 Report post Posted September 13, 2015 First time I have ever seen tiny moths in my Feathers! What do I do now? It's a large full Female Pheasant Skin.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Henrik Thomsen (DK) 0 Report post Posted September 13, 2015 Throw it in The freezer for 48 hours. Out for same amount of time. Tjen freeze again for 48 hours. Finally wash the skin in mild detergent and then use conditioner. Be sure to use plenty of water to clean between washings. H Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
rockworm 0 Report post Posted September 13, 2015 I hope this skin was well-sealed in a plastic bag and none of the moths got free. The adult females will likely lay their eggs in anything containing protein. That includes your feathers and furs. You probably won't see the larvae until they have done some damage to your material. This is why ALL my natural materials are stored in Zip-Loc bags with a few crystals of para-dichlorobenzene. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSzymczyk 0 Report post Posted September 13, 2015 do a search on here for pests, moths, dermestids, etc. It has been covered and debated at length. Do what you want, but the only real solution is chemical warfare. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
crazy4oldcars 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2015 Weapons of Moth Destruction. Like Rockworm said, Para-dichloro-benzine moth balls in the rest of your materials. I would segregate *everything* in the same container/drawer as the infected skin. Freezing will make bugs go dormant sometimes. Heat is the answer. Throw each skin in the microwave for 15 seconds and then wash as Henrik said. Given that a pheasant skin is only about $25 and and I have probably about $1000 in feathers, I would throw it away and buy another. Kirk B. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Simplejack 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2015 I hope this skin was well-sealed in a plastic bag and none of the moths got free. The adult females will likely lay their eggs in anything containing protein. That includes your feathers and furs. You probably won't see the larvae until they have done some damage to your material. This is why ALL my natural materials are stored in Zip-Loc bags with a few crystals of para-dichlorobenzene. Very well sealed. I think it came with eggs when I got it and now they hatched.. I checked all my other feathers and everything else is perfectly fine. I always keep my materials sealed up. Probably keep this skin in the garage for a while until It's for sure clean from moths. I think I might try the Cedar method as mothballs make me gag.. Stinks so bad I can taste it.. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JSzymczyk 0 Report post Posted September 14, 2015 if you're doing cedar, just throw it out. Cedar oil is a good REPELLENT but it doesn't kill anything. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites