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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Shakes.602 on October 15, 2012, 12:55:00 PM

Title: Feather Preservation
Post by: Shakes.602 on October 15, 2012, 12:55:00 PM
Got some LW Barred Feathers from a buddy of mine, and wondered about making sure the Critters were all Dead on them. I heard that you can put them in a plastic bag with powdered Borax, shake well, and let sit for a couple of days. Does this sound right, or is there another way?
     All Input Appreciated!!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Feather Preservation
Post by: Eric Krewson on October 15, 2012, 04:04:00 PM
That is what I do, I leave them in the bag for storage and shake them up every now and then to keep the bugs at bay.
Title: Re: Feather Preservation
Post by: magnus on October 15, 2012, 04:47:00 PM
That's a good way to do it shakes. You can also store then in the freezer. That will kill anything on them as well.
Title: Re: Feather Preservation
Post by: Tree Killer on October 15, 2012, 07:01:00 PM
I've been known to put them in a microwave oven for 15 seconds or so to kill anything living in the feathers...then store in zip-lock bags.
Title: Re: Feather Preservation
Post by: wapitirod on October 15, 2012, 07:08:00 PM
Borax is good stuff, you can cure salmon roe with it, kill the bugs on your feathers, use it as a flea powder (works great on carpets if your pet gets into the fleas) and then you can wash your clothes in it  :)
Title: Re: Feather Preservation
Post by: Austin on October 15, 2012, 07:11:00 PM
Ziplocks work great nothing lives long if theyre airtight
Title: Re: Feather Preservation
Post by: Strutter on October 15, 2012, 08:58:00 PM
I put mine in with moth balls.  Kinda smelly when you open em' back up but you won't have any bugs.
Title: Re: Feather Preservation
Post by: Shakes.602 on October 17, 2012, 12:47:00 AM
Great Ideas All!! I am glad to hear I finally am doing the Right thing!  :thumbsup:
Title: Re: Feather Preservation
Post by: wapitirod on October 17, 2012, 12:53:00 AM
I've heard the same thing about the hides but I haven't tried it, wouldn't suprise me though. Like I said that stuff will do it all  ;)
Title: Re: Feather Preservation
Post by: ALwoodsman on October 17, 2012, 06:36:00 AM
I did that with a turkey cape this year.  I let it dry for several weeks with a thick coating of borax between the skin and the board that I tacked it to.  I hung it in my hunting cabin this summer and when I returned a few days later there was a line of ants running up the wall to it.  Turns out that I didn't get all of the meat off at the base of the tail and that is what they were after.  I just left it and now it should be good to go.  I have used it on just my turkey fans and I hung them in the house with no problems. I also use it when doing European skull mounts. I think it is good stuff.
Title: Re: Feather Preservation
Post by: Shakes.602 on October 20, 2012, 04:10:00 PM
Good old 20 Mule Borax is wicked good stuff!!
Title: Re: Feather Preservation
Post by: Zbone on October 20, 2012, 05:25:00 PM
Never heard it as flea powder, will it harm the dogs?

We've had the worst flea issue ever in my area this year.
Title: Re: Feather Preservation
Post by: Shakes.602 on October 20, 2012, 10:29:00 PM
I believe its like a Lye Type Soap, so I wouldnt want it on My Dog! Might just Burn the Fleas off!!
 Have you tried Boric Acid Outdoors? Maybe stop them from coming in past the Patio, or Porch.  I HATES FLEAS too!!  Nasty Little Creatures!! Seems like once you have them, its virtually impossible to get rid of the Buggers!!