Bugs are eating my pennants, seeking advice

[Chris-Counts]

Does anybody know what these bugs are? They've slowly been devouring my pennant collection, which I keep in hard plastic holders. All they seem to leave behind is what I've pictured here — I've never actually seen a living bug. Any advise is appreciated.

[Hankphenom]

More pictures, please!

[Seven]

Maybe temporarily relocate all your collectables, and have an exterminator bug bomb your house? Worth a shot.

[perezfan]

Might be "carpet beetles". Let's see some close-up pics of the actual damaged felt, with bite marks, holes, thin spots, etc.

Also... Do you have the hard pennant sleeves sitting on (or near) the floor? If so, the bugs can enter through the opening on the left side. I would elevate the sleeves and move them up higher right away.

Of the pennants I don't display, I store them in the long/flat/lidded plastic bins made to store wrapping paper. Available at any Target or Wal-Mart.

[thetahat]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

Does anybody know what these bugs are? They've slowly been devouring my pennant collection, which I keep in hard plastic holders. All they seem to leave behind is what I've pictured here — I've never actually seen a living bug. Any advise is appreciated.

I store and display mine in the basement so I have to take extra care. Even though I spray and clean often I have had a couple fall victim to tiny nips over the years. It seems as if felt pennants from the early 60s are the tastiest. So I seal those in their holders. I don’t know of another fool proof method.

[SAllen2556]

Originally Posted by thetahat

I store and display mine in the basement so I have to take extra care. Even though I spray and clean often I have had a couple fall victim to tiny nips over the years. It seems as if felt pennants from the early 60s are the tastiest. So I seal those in their holders. I don’t know of another fool proof method.

If you don't mind my asking, what do you spray and clean them with ? Mine are displayed in a basement as well.

[Chris-Counts]

I don't have any carpet, but the pennants are stored on the ground in hard plastic holders. Thankfully, they've mostly damaged my football pennants — I would have been horrified if they had ruined any of my best baseball pennants. The bugs seem to come in from the side, and focus on the bottom of the pennant. I showed a photo of what they leave behind, which might be something they shed when they cease being a larvae. It's always between about a quarter and an eighth of an inch long, and it feels like a thin sliver of cardboard. Here's what an unfortunate Rams pennant looks like ...

[Hankphenom]

Originally Posted by Chris Counts

I don't have any carpet, but the pennants are stored on the ground in hard plastic holders. Thankfully, they've mostly damaged my football pennants — I would have been horrified if they had ruined any of my best baseball pennants. The bugs seem to come in from the side, and focus on the bottom of the pennant. I showed a photo of what they leave behind, which might be something they shed when they cease being a larvae. It's always between about a quarter and an eighth of an inch long, and it feels like a thin sliver of cardboard. Here's what an unfortunate Rams pennant looks like ...

Wow!

[bocca001]

Clothes moth larvae?

[Chris-Counts]

I believe we have a winner here. I Googled "cloth moth larvae" and found this photo. It looks like a match. So it appears these are basically cocoons that I'm finding. Does anybody here know how to get rid of these pests? I suppose eggs could be a problem, too ...

Originally Posted by bocca001

Clothes moth larvae?

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

moth balls