Something's eating my feathers!

[ARCHER2]

Hey Y'all,
I just noticed that something has been eating on the feathers on my arrows. Never had that problem before. Figured it is some kind of mite. Question is, how do I get rid of them?
Thanks,
Charlie

[katman]

I would think a light mist of permanone/permethrin would take care of the little buggers

[Caughtandhobble]

Moth balls work great. I was making feathers yesterday and found some feathers in a cardboard box that were damaged. I was a little upset with myself since they were primary turkeys already cut.

[Yewbender]

Permethrin will work. Just remember to respray as it will break down and become inert after 45 days.

[PeteA]

Some fly tiers put ther feather in the freezer when they have evidence of mites.

[Bill Kissner]

Might be dermestid beetles. They invaded my house and ruined some arrows and also got into a couple of my mounts. Now every year I set off a few of those insecticide bombs in the house as preventative.

[ARCHER2]

Thanks guys, I appreciate the info.

[Bill Carlsen]

I spray my feathers with silicone waterproofing after they are fletched. None have ever been eaten by mites and they stay waterproofed. I use the spray at Wally world that has an orange top and is used to treat tents. It's in the camping dept.

[ARCHER2]

Thanks Bill, I'm gonna try that. Good tip.

[Cyclic-Rivers]

If they are stored in a zip lock bag, put a little borax in the bag with them.

Don't know how to treat feathered shafts, the advice above sounds reasonable./

[eckterling]

Moth balls and freezing them work great. Also if you go to a pet store you can buy a mite killer for pet birds. Spray the feathers with this spray and it will also kill them. This would work well for feathers that are already fletched.


Josh

[ARCHER2]

Thanks fellas, I appreciate the tips.