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.

[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?

[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 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

[Fballguy]

Horrifying....What part of the country are you in? This is something I inspect my collection for about 4 times a year. I rotate my collection. I have about 50% in long plastic storage bins as Mark mentioned (also in soft sleeves) and the other half stacked off the floor. In the 5 years I've lived in Houston, I've had no evidence of problems...but don't want to let my guard down.

Just curious...How long had it been since you had last seen that Rams pennant intact (As a Rams collector, that one hits home)? Just wondering how quickly these creatures work.

Also...If you don't love your football pennants, I'm always looking (and hopefully buying).

[Fballguy]

Originally Posted by Aquarian Sports Cards

moth balls

What would be the most effective way to use these? Do you just place an open box in the room? Do you have to sprinkle them around. Hadn't even thought of moth balls in years...forgot they existed. Are they safe?

[Chris Counts]

I live on the Central California coast, which isn't a very buggy place compared to places I've been to back east. I have no idea fast these bugs work — it's probably been a year or two since I last looked at the Rams pennant ...

[irv]

Not saying/suggesting to use this directly on your pennants but you might want to try it on your carpet and other places in the house?
We've been using it for quite a few years, especially at our trailer, to keep spiders and other bugs away from our awnings, doors/screens and shed.

It isn't toxic and can be used indoors and out. We've found, even during rain, it lasts at least a couple months or longer.
https://www.glasshousenursery.ca/products/bugtek
https://sani-depot.ca/en/product/itp-bugtek-2/

[bocca001]

For me, also near Houston, the issue has been silverfish. Mostly for those pennants hanging on the wall. No great way to get rid of them. I had a pennant get damaged a few years ago (like Greg said, an early 1960s pennant). They seem to like the spine the best. I check for them compulsively now. A few times per week (yes, that often). I have the pennants on the wall in hard plastic/top loaders. They are tacked to the wall in only two places, at the endpoint and upper corner. No tack on the bottom corner. You can then slide something thin underneath and take a peek (I use a plastic toy sword).

The other options seem to be to store them in something that bugs cannot enter. Or to seal the ends (with tape?). For some reason, I prefer tassels out as opposed to folded behind the pennants, so sealing doesn't work for me. I wish they would make longer/bigger toploaders. If they did, I would seal the end.

And I figured out they were clothes moths after the horror show of the Rams pennant left me unable to sleep. I just kept searching online until I found the likely culprit.

[philo98]

I have a pretty large collection of Persian carpets and whenever Im away from home, I store these in a dark closet and my local Persian carpet store has a special spray. If you have one of these carpet stores by you, you may want to call them. However the material in a carpet is different than a pennant but they both attract moths. You may need to "test" somewhere on the pennant to make sure there is not any further damage. Also, moth balls may not be the best thing to use either. For carpets, its a no-go.

[perezfan]

Chris:
I would give these a try. Click the link, and there's a video showing the moths killed by these traps (which look just like yours...)

https://www.amazon.com/POWERFUL-CLOT...0MEBNNZ2&psc=1


Also.... traditionally, people have used cedar as an insect repellent for years (remember cedar chests for storage?) I use cedar balls and/or discs in my pennant bins as an additional safeguard. I don't want to jinx it, but have never had a moth issue in 30 years of collecting ...

https://www.amazon.com/Homode-Aromat...15433446&psc=1

Hope this helps... And don't let them get anywhere near that Cap collection!!

[ooo-ribay]

Originally Posted by bocca001

And I figured out they were clothes moths after the horror show of the Rams pennant left me unable to sleep. I just kept searching online until I found the likely culprit.

Sorry, Marc, but that’s kind of funny.

[Aquarian Sports Cards]

Originally Posted by Fballguy

What would be the most effective way to use these? Do you just place an open box in the room? Do you have to sprinkle them around. Hadn't even thought of moth balls in years...forgot they existed. Are they safe?

If you can store the sleeves enclosed somewhere like a drawer or tub you just scatter a few around and close the drawer or put the lid on. They do leave a characteristic odor but that can be eliminated by airing them out for a few days if it bugs you, or you are going to sell.

[Econteachert205]

We put items in the freezer to kill the larvae.

[Chris Counts]

Thanks for all the advice! I'm going to try a couple things suggested here, and I'lll let everybody know if it works.