Storage question

[fflutterffly]

I use a type of lock lid container for my fur and feather. I notice this morning when picking the rabbit ear for my Leisenring Spider that there was an odor. Question: Is it a good idea to store items with the covers on or should one let them go commando, sans top?

[tie2fish]

It's difficult to eliminate all traces of odor when you're storing natural materials, but a mothball fragment or two will take the edge off. I use closed containers for the most part, but don't worry about them being air-tight. Virtually all of my fur and feather skins are in individual zip-lock type bags or the adhesive-closed plastic envelopes that much stuff comes in from the suppliers these days. If you have an especially rank pelt, try washing it and/or letting it sit in the sunshine for a few hours with some salt sprinkled on the skin side.

[willowhead]

Flutter absolutely DO NOT leave anything open..........i keep everything in plastic zip lock bags, and then in plastic air tight containers as much as possible, although i'm sure not all my plastic containers are air tight, which is why you MUST use the zip lock baggies.........i've got those in every size from the very very smallest to the giagantic....and i mean HUGE! Make sure you go to the grocery store and get Enox.......THAT, is the brand you want. It has the chemical that kills the eggs, larve, and adults...........KILLS 'em. It's not good for you to breath it, so one more IMPORTANT reason for the Zip Locks. When you need something, just turn your head, open zip lock, take out what you need and re-seal immediately. You might even wanna hold your breath while doing that procedure. When you put it back, same deal. Your NOT going to get cancer by being around the stuff............but it is powerful.....hence it does the job. Get the crystals.....then you can measure just the right amount to do the job and not over-due it. Remember, Enoz........it's the best stuff there is. Just use common sense when using it. It's not nucular.....just be smart. i've been using it since the early 90's and never had an infestation. Mary Dette is the person who taught me about it. Bugs are a way of life in the country.........so you MUST learn these things. i also spray the perimeter of the room(s) at least twice a year, and keep sticky traps all around the room(s) on the floor, and air-strip poisoners workin'.....hang one here.....hang one there.....you can over-due that too, so be careful. You gotta breath that air. A little crosss ventalation is good to utilize when actually in your tyin' room, or wherever you tye. i put out the strips for when we're gone on trips which is alot of the time. When we get back, i back those off. When it comes to bugs....."over-kill" is a non concept. Better safe than sorry.

[narcodog]

I keep mine in tight plastic containers with the individual materials in zip locks, I also put Enos in there a few times a year. I have had bugs eat their way into and out of zip locks in the past so I am more careful now. As far as odor it depends a lot on how the pelts were cured. If they have been tanned no smell. If the were just air dried then there will be some smell, nothing to worry about. I have some hares mask and some bird pelts that are odoriferous but nothing to make me gag.

If there are objectionable then wash them in Woolite
, rinse and then place them between sheets of newspaper until dry. You may have to change the paper soon after the initial washing.

[willowhead]

Dang, i inticially spelled it with an x (Enox) above, and Narcodog has it with an s, as in Enos..........but i believe it's actually Enoz. You'll find it. Go down the i'll where mothballs are kept.......you see other brands, but they usually don't have the checmical that get every statge of life. The others will only kill the adults. Be sure to use Enoz. And the crystals are better than the balls. Bugs to my knowledge will not mess with your dyed materials.....that's not their thing. But if it's natural and undyed.....bug proof it ASAP!

[gmwhipple]

another option is the No Pest strip sold by Hot Shot

it was developed to kill common house flies in garbage cans, but a pea sized cube in each zip lock bag will kill any bugs dead.

garthamn

[willowhead]

"go down the i'll where mothballs are kept"......... lmao.............thass some funny ****.......i'll=isle? how do you spell that?????????

[crazy4oldcars]

Mark. LOL It's aisle, but who cares? (You asked!! ) It's jazz. As long as it sounds right!!?!
Every time I put new flea collars on the dogs (We have 4), I put the cut-off ends in the drawers with fur & feathers in them.
As far as odors, I only have one buck tail that smells bad, and a few bird skins with an oily smell to them. I just live with it.

Kirk