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Member’s Closet => Powder Horns => Topic started by: Dogshirt on September 22, 2013, 03:09:37 AM

Title: Those little holes
Post by: Dogshirt on September 22, 2013, 03:09:37 AM
Ok, what is the critter that eats those little holes in horn? I see a lot of this on horns offered on eBay, some old, others not
that much. We don't seem to have them up here, at least I've never had a problem with them. Will moth balls keep them at bay?
Just wondering.
Title: Re: Those little holes
Post by: bull frog on September 28, 2013, 11:29:00 AM
I am no expert on this subject but have suffered a lot of horn damage from these little varmints over the years to some of my best horns.  They seem to get into anything and every thing.  I have found the remains of their larva no matter how I pack them away.  An occasional coat of furniture paste wax seems to help deter them some, and have had some luck with the moth balls with my unused horns packed away in five gallon detergent buckets with a few moth balls throw ed in and sealed with the lid on tight.  Some have been bug free for a couple of years.  I try to inspect them every couple of months just to make sure they are OK.
Title: Re: Those little holes
Post by: beowulf on September 28, 2013, 01:38:54 PM
The bugs that eat holes in horns are the larva of carpet beetles and they are the little devils that eat your wool clothing. Horn and wool are essentially the same material, just different shapes. Carpet beetles are just about everywhere. Google them and you'll find out their life cycle. At one point in it they hitch-hike into your house via garden flowers.
Title: Re: Those little holes
Post by: Dogshirt on September 28, 2013, 01:57:44 PM
Well, the flower thing is out. The wife is allergic to EVERYTHING that blooms. In 37 years I've bought her flowers just once. cuch
Title: Re: Those little holes
Post by: Red Badger on September 28, 2013, 02:11:32 PM

what a great excuse to stop buying Lady Bulldog flowers.... oh wait I don't buy her flowers - she wants more Goex
Title: Re: Those little holes
Post by: Otter on September 29, 2013, 01:51:30 AM
Quote from: Red Badger on September 28, 2013, 02:11:32 PM

what a great excuse to stop buying Lady Bulldog flowers.... oh wait I don't buy her flowers - she wants more Goex
You are buying her fire blossoms!
Title: Re: Those little holes
Post by: Horner75 on October 07, 2013, 10:27:21 PM
Definitely carpet beetles!.....Sealed tight container and moth balls will protect them!

Rick