fly tying materials surprise

[boy-n-sea]

I was planning on tying a few flies since I haven't done it for quite a while (3 years) and I need to restock. I had a surprise when I opened the box of materials. There was a bunch of sand in the box. Not sure where it came from, but it is all over everything. So I started digging deeper to get what I needed and I found my hare mask completely stripped of hair. The feathers, deer and elk hair look ok, but now I am not sure I want that stuff in my house. Do you think the sand is eggs or processed rabbit hair. Any idea what got into my box, and what should I do about it. I don't think spraying it all with Raid would improve my fish catching ability. Should I put it in the deep freeze for a while? Any ideas?
Thanks

[SilverFly]

I was planning on tying a few flies since I haven't done it for quite a while (3 years) and I need to restock. I had a surprise when I opened the box of materials. There was a bunch of sand in the box. Not sure where it came from, but it is all over everything. So I started digging deeper to get what I needed and I found my hare mask completely stripped of hair. The feathers, deer and elk hair look ok, but now I am not sure I want that stuff in my house. Do you think the sand is eggs or processed rabbit hair. Any idea what got into my box, and what should I do about it. I don't think spraying it all with Raid would improve my fish catching ability. Should I put it in the deep freeze for a while? Any ideas?
Thanks

Moths. Last year sometime during the two moves we did, the little bastiches got some grizzly hackle necks I've had for ages. Mothballs do the job if you can stand the smell, - not sure if it has any fish repelling properties. Scented cedar blocks work too. Yeah, the "sand" is probably "processed" hair. Deep freeze isn't a bad idea since it will also help dry out the materials.

[AndyK]

Mothballs do the job if you can stand the smell, - not sure if it has any fish repelling properties.
I've also had that happen.

I sure would be interested in whether mothballs will have an adverse effect on the materials.

[Poindexter]

In the future, Tupperware type sealed containers work great for storing materials. Keeps them dry, organized and out of touch of MOTHS and other bad critters.

[LunkerFish]

I've also had that happen.

I sure would be interested in whether mothballs will have an adverse effect on the materials.


I have kept a "moth block" in the tub I use for storing tying materials for a few years now with no adverse affect on the materials. You can find the evaporative blocks with milder, more pleasant scents than the old fashioned moth balls that work well. Within a few hours there is no scent left on even the biggest bunny leaches. I tie about 99% of my flies and it hasn't affected the catching of trout or steelhead.

[Grantspastor]

Moths for sure. They can strip a $50 Grizzly Hackle neck to nothing in short order

[boy-n-sea]

Thanks for the help. I used the shop vac to get the leftovers off the stuff left. Found a few larvae so I will put it all in the freezer for a week or so to make sure they are all dead. I will keep them in a more secure location from now on. Thanks for the help.

[Mad Mikey]

I keep all mine in tupperware also, it's eery that GP said that about the grizzly hackle. I learned a very expensive lesson years ago with a type one neck. Owch.