Preserving feathers

[FishWhisperer]

Matt, is that you ???

Yes? Have I met you before?

[Chris Shelton]

Matt, is that you ???

I think the problem isn't really capes, skins etc coming from the manufacturer infected with bugs. I'm pretty sure they have a fairly strict regime to deal with any critters living in whatever product it is.

I think the main problem is things like fishmoths getting into your materials. You want to see the damage one of these things can do to a cape. And they're everywhere. Leave an expensive cape or saddle out the packet and unprotected at your own peril !

Yeah, I agree with you, most of my beetle infestations have been with my furs, despite them being sealed in plastic containers. My capes have not suffered at all. I don't think it is a bad idea to keep all your furs seperately contained from your expensive capes as a rule.

[dlampert]

I keep all my capes in bags in a large tupperware. All fur etc is kept in a seperate tupperware. I take old plastic film canisters, cut an X in the lid with a sharp knife and fill them with moth balls. I chuck 5 or 6 canisters in each tupperware - that way you get the protection without everything stinking of naphthalene. Another point bearing in mind is that napthalene can cause serious allergic reactions if it comes into contact with your skin. Your biggest risk is from roadkill and picking up the odd feather. I normally keep that kind of stuff seperate.

[KevinC]

Um, I thought that feathers etc were for tying and not for storing?!? Sounds like you guys all have natural fiber museums at home...

[Methos]

Dlampert

I read somewhere that you should put all roadkill or "wild" feathers in a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer for a week. That should take care of most nasties.

Cheers

[Methos]

Kevin

http://www.flytalk.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=1383

Check all the feathers Wiets has there - even if he employed 15 midgets tying day and night it will keep them busy for a while.

Cheers

[KevinC]

Kevin

http://www.flytalk.co.za/forum/showthread.php?t=1383

Check all the feathers Wiets has there - even if he employed 15 midgets tying day and night it will keep them busy for a while.

Cheers

ha ha ha- yeah I know... just taking the pis$... Must say that I have never had any problems with fishmoths etc... but then I do the same as Darryl and keep alles in tupperware boxes...

[dlampert]

Dlampert

I read somewhere that you should put all roadkill or "wild" feathers in a ziplock bag and put it in the freezer for a week. That should take care of most nasties.

Cheers

Thanks Methos,

I do this with all the stuff I collect. I prefer freezing in a ziploc bag to "cooking" them in the microwave

Regards,
Darryl

[Methos]

Re the cooking thing in the Microwave - Won't that damage the feathers ?

Aren't feathers mostly made up of Protien ?

Cheers

[chris williams]

They certainly taste better...freezing definitely takes a lot of moogies out of e.g 'roadkill' and I guess a gentle microwaving would get rid of the rest. Maybe we should ask Rick Stein, Floyd or Jamie Oliver for the ambient cooking temperature. Don't think we'll ask Jasper, he sounds, like me, he was also brought up in the Aga stove era!