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Moths in feathers

Posted: 06 Oct 2014, 23:07
by Redwing
Went to get some more feathers from my main storage bag only to discover that one bag of white feathers was full of moths and are all deteriorated. Anyone else had this problem or have a solution? Just not sure if any of my other bags are also contaminated but not showing any signs yet.

Re: Moths in feathers

Posted: 07 Oct 2014, 07:16
by Diane
What about microwaving them? At least anything left would be dead.

Re: Moths in feathers

Posted: 07 Oct 2014, 10:12
by finchbreeder
Put wormwood leaves in with them. Have heard it works but not tried it.
LML

Re: Moths in feathers

Posted: 07 Oct 2014, 10:20
by Craig52
Diane wrote:What about microwaving them? At least anything left would be dead.
No,i don't think microwaving feathers would be the way to go,the smell would make you sick :wtf: If you are using a pillow for your feathers make sure you seal it up after use.
The best way would be to put the pillow in the clothes drier on hot for 20 minutes. Cheers Craig

Re: Moths in feathers

Posted: 07 Oct 2014, 11:02
by Redwing
Clothesdrier??? Don't forget this is Perth, where Victorians come to get away from the rain!
In the meantime I've put all the bags in the sun for the day until I can look more carefully at the damage and will try one of my neighbours who has lots of herbs to see if I can get some wormwood.

Re: Moths in feathers

Posted: 07 Oct 2014, 11:41
by Craig52
Owps,i forgot WA was a different country to the rest of us :think: If you don't have clothes driers over there just spray with a pyrethrum based spray and close the bag up. Craig

Re: Moths in feathers

Posted: 07 Oct 2014, 11:43
by gomer
free live food for some.

Re: Moths in feathers

Posted: 07 Oct 2014, 22:46
by Redwing
Spent some time sorting and throwing the badly eaten bags away and the rest have put into large ziplock freezer bags. Will put them into the freezer for a day or so and think that should do the trick. Will certainly be easier to keep an eye on in the future. Did put a batch of emu feathers with live moths in with the birds but they were more interested in grabbing a few feathers to finish off nests with.