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    Bansuri's Avatar
    Bansuri Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #1

    Aug 16, 2012, 11:36 AM
    Bamboo Flutes & Termites
    I have flutes (musical instruments) made of bamboo. A Couple of them have some kind of black insects inside that keep eating and dropping wood pieces. How can I get rid of them?
    smoothy's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,492, Reputation: 2853
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    #2

    Aug 16, 2012, 11:52 AM
    Wide spectrum bug spray works well.
    Cat1864's Avatar
    Cat1864 Posts: 8,007, Reputation: 3687
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    #3

    Aug 16, 2012, 12:31 PM
    First you need to identify the 'bugs'. Can you describe them or post a picture of them? Understand that termites are only one variety of wood destroying insects. There are also ants and beetles.

    Second, getting rid of them will depend on what they actually are and where they are coming from. Also are these flutes being played or for decoration purposes? I would be careful about putting a wide-spectrum pesticide on anything that will be in contact with people's mouths (no offense meant, Smoothy.) However, many wide-spectrum pesticides work on humans, too.
    smoothy's Avatar
    smoothy Posts: 25,492, Reputation: 2853
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    #4

    Aug 16, 2012, 12:39 PM
    True... I has assumed they were decrative, or antiques that could not be replaced.. and wasn't being used.
    Bansuri's Avatar
    Bansuri Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #5

    Aug 18, 2012, 08:47 AM
    I'll post the bug picture when I get one.

    These bugs are mostly dead when they drop. Every time I tap the flute I get lots of wood shavings/powder with a bug every now and then. These bugs are tiny and black, they look like black bugs in grains, rice, etc.

    Yes these flutes are being used - played.
    Cat1864's Avatar
    Cat1864 Posts: 8,007, Reputation: 3687
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    #6

    Aug 18, 2012, 10:02 AM
    I consulted my husband (who is an exterminator-full disclosure) and he said it sounds like powder-post beetles.

    He recommends thoroughly soaking (immersion for 48 to 72 hours) the flutes in a boric acid solution (very strong) and then slowly drying them over a week or two to prevent cracking and for the boric acid to crystlize in the wood fibers. He doesn't know if they will be playable again.

    Frankly, there is little way of knowing how much damage the beetles have done.

    Good luck.
    Bansuri's Avatar
    Bansuri Posts: 4, Reputation: 1
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    #7

    Aug 19, 2012, 04:17 PM
    Quote Originally Posted by Cat1864 View Post
    I consulted my husband (who is an exterminator-full disclosure) and he said it sounds like powder-post beetles.

    He recommends thoroughly soaking (immersion for 48 to 72 hours) the flutes in a boric acid solution (very strong) and then slowly drying them over a week or two to prevent cracking and for the boric acid to crystlize in the wood fibers. He doesn't know if they will be playable again.

    Frankly, there is little way of knowing how much damage the beetles have done.

    Good luck.
    Thank you, I'll consider this.
    Cat1864's Avatar
    Cat1864 Posts: 8,007, Reputation: 3687
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    #8

    Aug 20, 2012, 06:51 AM
    Quote Originally Posted by Bansuri View Post
    Thank you, I'll consider this.
    Good luck.

    I hope the flutes turn out to be okay. :)
    joypulv's Avatar
    joypulv Posts: 21,591, Reputation: 2941
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    #9

    Aug 20, 2012, 06:58 AM
    Cat, I had a house once with powder post beetles in the beams and oak floors in a few spots. They ate the 3/4" oak from underneath so no one knew until we stepped on it and it caved in - like paper.
    It's always nice to hear the 'full disclosure' of expertise by profession from relatives here.
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