Of Carpet Beetles and Bow Hair

Why Tiny Monsters Sometimes Live in Your Violin Case – and How to Get Rid of Them

Many of my customers experience an unpleasant surprise when they take their instrument out after a long break: upon opening the violin case, they discover that the bow hair is hanging in loose clumps, as though it had been cut. So what happened?

The answer is rather mundane, though certainly unwelcome: carpet beetles have been at work.

More specifically, members of the Dermestidae family, commonly known as skin or carpet beetles. Their larvae thrive in dark, sheltered, and moderately warm places, making a violin case an ideal home. These larvae feed on keratin, the protein found in abundance in horsehair, so a violin bow can become quite a feast. In older cases, they may even nibble on felt linings or other natural materials.

By the time the damage is discovered, the culprits themselves have often long since moved on. What usually remains are the pale, dry-looking larval skins that they shed as they grow.

If your bow hair has been eaten away or you discover suspicious remnants inside the case, I recommend the following steps:

• Vacuum the case thoroughly.
  This removes dust, shed larval skins, and any remaining eggs or larvae.
• Use hot air.
  A hair dryer on a high heat setting can help destroy any eggs that may still be present. Be sure to remove both the violin and the bow beforehand.
• Let the case bask in daylight.
  Carpet beetles and their larvae avoid light. Leave the empty case open in a bright spot – on a balcony or near a sunny window – for several days.
• Have the bow rehaired.

Once the case has been cleaned and the bow has been rehaired, the likelihood of another infestation is very low.

And finally, the best piece of advice of all:

Play your violin every day!

Regularly used instruments and bows are far less attractive to carpet beetles. A case that is opened frequently and moved around simply doesn’t provide the stable environment these unwelcome guests are looking for. The best way to keep “bow bugs” away is to make music.