Bugs are eating my pennants, seeking advice

[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

[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 ...

[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.