[bradshawm]

I received a mid 50's King Zephyr a couple months ago from the spouse of a friend who died. It had some obvious leaks so I sent it in for a tune up. I received a call from the repairman stating that the pads were original and that the horn had been in storage so long that it was bug infested. He said the bugs had ruined the pads and were also in the fabric and padding of the case which appears in excellent condition. I don't have the money for a rebuild on this and he is sending it back, but he warned me not to store the horn with my others since the bugs could move to my good horns.

How do I get rid of the bugs? The laquer on the horn is 99% and looks beautiful, so I am concerned that the fumes from any kind of bug killer might affect the laquer.

 

[Henning1]

Take the horn out of the case. Is the case worth to keep (without bugs )?

1. Put it in a garbage plastic bag and put it in the freezer for 5 days. Take it out for three days and put it back for a week this is to rewake the (eventual new) bugs after a "winter" (and of course kill them).

2. Rip the horn into pieces and immediately inspect the pads. You'll see what to do then.

 

[saxmusicguy]

I have heard that bay leaves placed in the case can repel bugs.

 

[clarnut]

A few years back I was talking to a tech who told me that the only option is to toss the case and do a repad. In some research, it indicated that a standard freezer would not get cold enough to do away with the critters.

 

[saxmusicguy]

In some research, it indicated that a standard freezer would not get cold enough to do away with the critters.

 

[Lefty]

Old school here is to put a handful of mothballs in the case, close it, and leave it for a couple of days. Then the real work begins in getting the stink out. All day in the sun with the lid open is helpful. Its a lot of toxic work--is the case worth saving after the bugs have had their way with the innards?

Lefty

 

[Dr G]

Just double bag it until you do a repad.

 

[Dave Dolson]

I'd toss the case for starters. NOTHING in the way of vintage value, etc., etc. seems as important as NOT inviting an infestation. Next, de-bug the horn by whatever methods you take away from this thread OR double-bag the horn itself (as advised by the good doctor) and store it somewhere until you can do the overhaul. I received a similar gift a few years ago (a 1920's King alto) - no bugs though. To me, the horn was worth an effort. DAVE

 

[soybean]

The same thing hapened to me years ago with a horn from ebay. My tech told me to put some regular rubbing alcohol in the case and seal it up tightly in plastic for a couple of days. Evidently, the bugs will die from alcohol fumes. I put a kitchen sponge soaked with alcohol into an open plastic dish in the case and sealed the case with a couple of plastic bags.

 

[Carl H.]

the same thing hapened to me years ago with a horn from ebay. My tech told me to put some regular rubbing alcohol in the case and seal it up tightly in plastic for a couple of days. Evidently, the bugs will die from alcohol fumes. I put a kitchen sponge soaked with alcohol into an open plastic dish in the case and sealed the case with a couple of plastic bags.

and... ???

 

[saxmusicguy]

The same thing hapened to me years ago with a horn from ebay. My tech told me to put some regular rubbing alcohol in the case and seal it up tightly in plastic for a couple of days. Evidently, the bugs will die from alcohol fumes. I put a kitchen sponge soaked with alcohol into an open plastic dish in the case and sealed the case with a couple of plastic bags.

and... ???

Maybe he hasn't opened the bag yet.

 

[soybean]

and... ???

and… the bugs were gone for good. I forgot to mention that I also put some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and sprayed the lining of the case with a fine mist. You could probably just do that and forget about the sponge. When i opened the case, there was an alcohol smell, but that completely evaporated in a few hours.

 

[saxmusicguy]

and… the bugs were gone for good. I forgot to mention that I also put some rubbing alcohol in a spray bottle and sprayed the lining of the case with a fine mist. You could probably just do that and forget about the sponge. When i opened the case, there was an alcohol smell, but that completely evaporated in a few hours.

This is an interesting method. Thanks for sharing.

 

[bandmommy]

Alcohol is the method that most biology teachers recommend to their students when they are collecting 'crawlies' for insect classification collections.

Moth larva, which is probably what has 'infested' the case can usually be vacuumed out without fear of reinfestation.
They are somewhat self limiting. Once they have eaten the wool in the pads, made their cocoons, and turned into little moths... They leave to breed and lay eggs in someone elses' case, your wool sweaters, pants, overcoat.....

 

[slausonm]

I had a clarinet that this happened to. My brother sent me a clarinet to repad a few months before his kid was to start band. I repdded it with all new pads and corks. I also cleaned the plastic body. Afew days before his son was to start band my brother took the clarinet out to demo it to his son and it would not play at all. He shipped it back to me and I discovered something had eaten the center out of every pad on the instrument. The only thing I could conclude was that there must have been some bugs left in the case. I repadded the clarinet again tossed the case and got a new one. 10 years later I get the clarinet back with the same pads, and all is well.

 

[Captain Beeflat]

Alcohol is the method that most biology teachers recommend to their students when they are collecting 'crawlies' for insect classification collections.

....

Good news for most of the saxophonists that I know....they have been treating their saxophones correctly for years in blowing alcohol laden breath through them.

 

[bradshawm]

Thank you all for the great response. When I get the horn back from the Tech I will definitely do the alcohol trick for the case.

So, the alcohol fumes provide no danger to the laquer of the sax?

 

[Rondalo]

Good news for most of the saxophonists that I know....they have been treating their saxophones correctly for years in blowing alcohol laden breath through them.

this approach only solves half the problem. to be fully effective, you'd have to blow through the case as well.:mrgreen:

 

[Captain Beeflat]

this approach only solves half the problem. to be fully effective, you'd have to blow through the case as well.:mrgreen:

True....but a good start.
The horn is more important than the case.

 

[soybean]

So, the alcohol fumes provide no danger to the lacquer of the sax?

Do not use the alcohol method on your sax, ONLY the case! In my situation, only the case had bugs. The sax pads were completely fine. If your pads are infested or eaten, you need to have your sax re-padded.