Author Topic: Bugs in horns and leather (Read 3092 times)

Nordnecker · « **on:** February 24, 2020, 03:10:37 PM »

These horns were made by a friend of mine who died a few years ago. They were laying against the leather bags he made to go with them. All of this bug damage was where they made contact with the leather.
I have had 2 horns get bug damage while making contact with a leather bag. Anybody else notice this?
It's a shame this happened. I rubbed a little permethrin on my good horns as a precaution.

flinchrocket · « **Reply #1 on:** February 24, 2020, 04:58:25 PM »

Bugs or mice?

John SMOthermon · « **Reply #2 on:** February 24, 2020, 06:23:09 PM »

How were the bags tanned? Salt & Alum ... maybe.

I’ve never had issues with bugs or worms, just mildew..

I did have a Vinegaroon tanned knife sheath that dry rotted after a couple of years...

That’s a shame about those horns, I hope the bags aren’t too damaged as well.

Tim Crosby · « **Reply #3 on:** February 24, 2020, 07:28:10 PM »

I do not think I have ever seen bug damage that looks like that on a horn. I'm no help on this one.
I will say that a rag sprayed with Raid or similar and wiped on a horn works. I think once is all you have to do it. I leave a rag with it on in the boxes I keep my horns in, raw and worked and have never had a problem with bugs.

Tim

ricktull · « **Reply #4 on:** February 24, 2020, 08:27:19 PM »

I agree with the above posts. It doesn't look like bug damage

MuskratMike · « **Reply #5 on:** February 24, 2020, 08:53:10 PM »

I also believe this is not bugs but a reaction to the leather the bags were made with. Do you know by chance what process they were tanned with?

JBJ · « **Reply #6 on:** February 24, 2020, 10:03:19 PM »

A detailed closeup of the damage sites would be helpful. Blowing these pics up did not help.
J.B.

Nordnecker · « **Reply #7 on:** February 25, 2020, 02:56:30 AM »

This does look like it was gnawed on by a mouse.

image hosting sites
This one looks like it was eaten from the inside.
I turned it over to see if any mouse droppings were inside. Bugs fell out. They were still alive.

Ghillie · « **Reply #8 on:** February 25, 2020, 03:04:03 AM »

The damage on all the horns look like it was made by dermisted beetles. They are common on old taxidermy mounts, feathers and horn products. They are very small and the damage is made by the larvae stage of the beetle. Putting a small piece of a solid insect repellent in the storage area will control them. They are a problem in all insect collections as they will eat up the specimens and all collections include repellent in the cases.

WadePatton · « **Reply #9 on:** February 25, 2020, 03:54:21 AM »

What sort of solid insect repellent do you suggest?

Ghillie · « **Reply #10 on:** February 25, 2020, 04:06:03 AM »

I've been retired for 17 years, but back in the day the entomologists used the Shell No Pest Strips. They cut them with scissors and put a small strip say 1/2 inch by 1 inch in each insect box. I'm not sure they are still sold under that name, but similar ones are on the market, look in your local discount stores. The brand name is not important as they are all made alike. I was in charge of our state's pesticide control program for 28 years. Product brand names change, but active ingredients are normally the same.

Smokey Plainsman · « **Reply #11 on:** February 25, 2020, 05:39:31 AM »

If any bug did that to my bag and horn I’d beat it up and take its lunch money!

Collector · « **Reply #12 on:** February 25, 2020, 08:37:32 AM »

Whatever happened to using good ol' mothballs? Never saw a bug & never had a problem. Large plastic tub with a right fitting lid should suffice. Items kept in temperature & humidity controlled environments usually don't encounter problems like what is pictured here. Nothing fares well in dampness & humidity. I'd venture the leather bags don't look much better. These items were, regrettably, ignored, forgotten and/or neglected.

Nordnecker · « **Reply #13 on:** February 25, 2020, 02:43:10 PM »

Yes they were ignored and neglected. It's too bad because he put a lot of effort into his work. There were at least a dozen bags and horn hanging and laying around. I grabbed one small bag and it isn't damaged. Can't comment on the others. I didn't bring these horns into my shop for fear of exposing my stuff to bugs. I think I'll just throw them away.

JBJ · « **Reply #14 on:** February 25, 2020, 04:32:29 PM »

As Ghillie said. AKA carpet beetles. Some good info here - http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/PESTNOTES/pn7436.html. Two gallon Zip-Loc plastic bags and a few moth balls seem to be working for me. BTW, if it were mice the closeups would revel furrows from their incisors.
J.B.

WadePatton · « **Reply #15 on:** February 25, 2020, 06:02:57 PM »

Quote from: Collector on February 25, 2020, 08:37:32 AM

Whatever happened to using good ol' mothballs? ...

cannot stand the reek of them. Strips sound 10x better to me.

D. Taylor Sapergia · « **Reply #16 on:** February 25, 2020, 08:07:46 PM »

Someone gifted me a nice bundle of feathers once, but to my dismay, they contained larva and resulted in a loss of those feathers and a good portion of my other stores of natural materials. Mothballs finally killed them off. Once you have those beetles, it's difficult to rid your shop of them.

My shop has a RH of 7%, so humidity or moisture is not the issue.

mark esterly · « **Reply #17 on:** February 25, 2020, 08:48:57 PM »

borax will also keep them at bay. when practical i use a rinse of borax but the powder seems to work as well. they always hide in the dark.

LynnC · « **Reply #18 on:** February 25, 2020, 11:58:05 PM »

I have a couple if similarly damaged horns. I will try the borax. Good info. Thanks

JBJ · « **Reply #19 on:** February 26, 2020, 11:58:32 PM »

If you are considering the use of or are using the pest strips, you might want to read the following material:
https://www.wired.com/2014/01/cdc-warning-misuse-pest-strips/

Any of these products or insecticides require that we understand how to handle them appropriately. Read the label! You can find a wealth of information in the MSDS (material safety data sheet) for all insecticides. Check them out for the product you are considering. Try https://www.msdsonline.com/sds-search/ or https://chemicalsafety.com/sds-search/.

J.B.

JBJ · « **Reply #20 on:** February 27, 2020, 12:03:16 AM »

As a quick followup, I found the following for moth balls:
https://images.homedepot-static.com/catalog/pdfImages/ec/ec93188d-b321-4f9e-a9b8-3e3aa9cee264.pdf

J.B.

Ghillie · « **Reply #21 on:** February 27, 2020, 12:21:10 AM »

By definition any compound that kills, repels or mitigates a life form is a pesticide. So Borax, mothballs ( 2 types) or even salt used to kill insects, fungi, plants, etc. are all pesticides. As such when used as a pesticide are regulated by the EPA. Beware of MSDS sheets as they are written for transportation of products in the event of an accident causing spillage. They are for Hazmat crews to help them in clean up. The MSDS for a 45% active ingredient does not reflect the toxicity or danger, if present, for a 1% use dilution spray as they are commonly used. Every thing has a toxicity rating, even salt, sugar, coffee, tea, etc. Nothing is perfectly safe. The dose makes the poison. An aspirin is therapeutic for a headache, a bottle of aspirin will probably kill you. When quoting MSDS sheets one needs to know the concentration it was written for. I once saw a MSDS sheet on sawdust. After reading it you would wonder why anyone would saw or sand wood. A little knowledge can be a dangerous thing.

Mike from OK · « **Reply #22 on:** February 27, 2020, 02:37:12 AM »

I rubbed melaleuca (tea tree oil) on some of my horns... It stinks and tingles enough to keep both me and skeeters at a distance, so I figure it might help keep other bugs away too.

Mike

Bugman · « **Reply #23 on:** February 28, 2020, 05:27:57 PM »

This is a perfectly safe candidate for use and it isn't a restricted use product. It uses a pheromone lure to attract the adult onto the sticky surface where it becomes ensnared and dies. No chemicals are used. Look for chemical or pesticide supply houses in your area for a source. I successfully use various pheromone traps, especially Indian Meal Moths, in my business and it is the only thing to use in a cabinet or with food.
https://www.oldhamchem.com/insects-limited-hide-beetle-lure-10-count

LynnC · « **Reply #24 on:** February 29, 2020, 06:32:23 AM »

Is there a MSDS on hydrogen dioxide. Deadly stuff if improperly used 😜

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Author Topic: Bugs in horns and leather (Read 3092 times)

ricktull

Smokey Plainsman

Bugman