carpet beetle

[markw]

I have been asked by a customer to restore a textile that shows the signs of being eaten by a carpet beetle. Anybody have any experience of these things? My first thought is to put the frame in a bin bag - fill it with pesticide and wait for a couple of weeks. I dont want to risk any cross infection of new work that i have in the workshop. I would rather turn the work away if this is likely to be a risk.

any entomologist picture framers?

[Dermot]

Unless you have conservation experience…refer it to a conservationist……the pesticides will most likely do damage…..this is a job for a specialist……at least that what I would be doing…..then again I have a conservator only 5 minutes from me…

Good luck

[Underpinner]

I agree with Dermot. If you were a trained conservator you wouldn't be asking the question - and assuming that only the best is good enough for your customers you should refer this customer to a fabric conservator. Besides, even if you managed to kill the little blighters without further damaging the fabric - this in itself will not "restore the fabric".

If you do not have a fabric consrvator near you, I think I have details of one in south-east Wales and will pass on those details next Tuesday pm after I have been back to the shop. If this lady is too far from you, she might know someone closer.