safe spray?

[jetz320]

i know this sounds very weird, but i think that there are these small wood eating bugs that live either on my pipa or in the case, and i see them occasionally crawling around the soundboard or the frets. it isn't from outside these two items because my guzheng is right above the case and instrument, but there is nothing on it. but the pipa, seems to have these small bugs.

i don't know if this is serious, but i think they are eating the wood. is there something i can apply onto the wood to keep these crawlers off? thank you for any suggestions.

[calden]

Jetz:

Sounds creepy.

Most insecticides are made of stuff that you wouldn't want to be touching, even having a little bit of contact with the residue. When I used to live in New York we used homemade roach powder - some boric acid with some sugar and flour. Boric acid is safe for us, but is made of crystals that get under the exoskeleton of bugs and drops 'em. You might try some boric acid mixed with water and gently wipe on with a moist - not wet - clean rag. The only residue it would leave might be a slight white powder when it dries, and that could be wiped off again.

You might call a violin shop and ask what they would do in a situation like this. I know they deal with bow bug problems from time to time.

Carlos

[jetz320]

thanks for the help. this is actually kind of creepy. and i never thought this could happen. boric acid with sugar and flour, and water. sounds interesting but worth a try. contacting a music shop, good idea as well. thank you carlos

eric

[calden]

Jetz:

Actually, you won't need to mix in the sugar and flour. That's what we did to attract the roaches, because that's what they love to eat. I think if you just used boric acid dissolved in water that would be enough. The buggers just need some contact with the stuff. You wouldn't want a floury-sugary solution on your instrument.

Carlos

[czy]

hmmm...
perhaps you could try sunning it under hot sun.
the case and the pipa separated.
i tried it before due to the school's pipa is infested with bugs.
it succeeded.

perhaps you would like to give it a try