my fluff needs cleaning i think

[wotucatchthaton]

hi, ive always got my tying materials from shops, but oftern find a few jay wing feathers etc that id like to use but not sure of the best way to treat them ,i did ask someone once ,they said microwave them but er in doors didnt agree so its over to you guys for advise please

[greenock]

Aye freezer for 2 or 3 weeks think it is then in the microwave with them mate to kill all the mites.

[wotucatchthaton]

ok, so if i wait till er in doors goes out and i sneak a few feathers in the micro on full power , how long should i give em ?

[stuartpengs]

Originally Posted by wotucatchthaton

ok, so if i wait till er in doors goes out and i sneak a few feathers in the micro on full power , how long should i give em ?

Just a few seconds should suffice, 5-10.

[greenock]

Don't think just putting it in the micro kills all the mites mate. Arkles the man to ask. Not worth putting them with your other feathers if all the mites are not killed.

[kevinh]

I can remember i was told a while back that you need to treat your fluff with something that i think was called "Mothball"??? He said it keeps feathers etc in good nick and helps to deter unwanted pests.
Anybody know if this is correct?

[scott123456]

freezer for a couple of weeks in a sealed bag or three then take it out and put nephalelene crystals in it.

[arkle]

Freeze them for a couple of weeks in separate CLEAN/new zip-top bags, remove them for a day or so the re-freeze them overnight.

For loose feathers 10 secs in the almost sealed bags will do. longer i.e.30 secs for pairs of wings is normally fine. Then after removal, put in another new bag & dispose of the old one.

To prevent any later infestation use a moth/insect repellent spray, of which there are 1000's available rather than naptha/dichloro mothballs/crystals. Much safer that way both for you & the management as well as the feathers.
It may seem a bit "belt & braces" but it's far better than having to replace ALL your fur & feather soon afterwards. I lost 1/2 a jungle cock cape some years ago by not doing these stages !

[wotucatchthaton]

thankyou every 1 will try out the advise and let you you all know if it works,