How do you treat and protect your Deer foot handle knives (1930's era and before) from skin beetles and other hide and bone eating pests?

[GottliebHammesfahr]

 

[Blues]

I remember years ago reading about dermastid beetles...if that's what you're dealing with. Placing items in the freezer was one way of dealing with them. (Wrapped of course.)

 

[kwackster]

A bit of tea tree oil will probably do the trick.
Very effective insect repellent.

 

[GottliebHammesfahr]

I remember years ago reading about dermastid beetles...if that's what you're dealing with. Placing items in the freezer was one way of dealing with them. (Wrapped of course.)

How many days? Wrapped in anything particular? Thanks

 

[GottliebHammesfahr]

A bit of tea tree oil will probably do the trick.
Very effective insect repellent.

How much and do you soak it or only apply to affected areas? How to apply it? Thankyou

 

[tltt]

Many just dust horn knives with insecticide.

If the beetles are gone from the area, just oil the knife and bag it in a sealed plastic bag (Ziploc). Try and find a plastic storage box, that allows for some ventilation too. Reoil often.

Freezing is a recommended treatment for other things - rugs, clothing, etc.... but not knives.

 

[GottliebHammesfahr]

Many just dust horn knives with insecticide.

If the beetles are gone from the area, just oil the knife and bag it in a sealed plastic bag (Ziploc). Try and find a plastic storage box, that allows for some ventilation too. Reoil often.

Freezing is a recommended treatment for other things - rugs, clothing, etc.... but not knives.

Thankyou. So just oil the blade and not the handle itself obviously? Or both? Is it good to keep mothballs in the cabinet to prevent beatles entering etc?

 

[tltt]

Thankyou. So just oil the blade and not the handle itself obviously? Or both? Is it good to keep mothballs in the cabinet to prevent beatles entering etc?

Just the blades. I don't know about mothballs, it was recommended years ago, but some in the vintage automobile and tool collecting communities claim they developed rust problems using them, so I'd hold off on that.

 

[Blues]

I don't remember how long I put my dad's knife in the freezer...but it might have been a couple of days. I'm sure the info on freezing dermastid beetles should be available online.

 

[TC]

I don't remember how long I put my dad's knife in the freezer...but it might have been a couple of days. I'm sure the info on freezing dermastid beetles should be available online.

The problem is that they may be in the freezer, but they're wearing a fur coat...

 

[Blues]

The problem is that they may be in the freezer, but they're wearing a fur coat...

Not when I dealt with them. None survived.

 

[TC]

Not when I dealt with them. None survived.

Oh, I'm sure of that. It just takes longer.

 

[GottliebHammesfahr]

Just the blades. I don't know about mothballs, it was recommended years ago, but some in the vintage automobile and tool collecting communities claim they developed rust problems using them, so I'd hold off on that.

Thankyou