Feather Preservation

[Shakes.602]

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!!  

[Eric Krewson]

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.

[magnus]

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.

[Tree Killer]

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.

[wapitirod]

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  

[Austin]

Ziplocks work great nothing lives long if theyre airtight

[Strutter]

I put mine in with moth balls.  Kinda smelly when you open em' back up but you won't have any bugs.

[Shakes.602]

Great Ideas All!! I am glad to hear I finally am doing the Right thing!  

[wapitirod]

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  

[ALwoodsman]

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.

[Shakes.602]

Good old 20 Mule Borax is wicked good stuff!!

[Zbone]

Never heard it as flea powder, will it harm the dogs?

We've had the worst flea issue ever in my area this year.

[Shakes.602]

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!!