Pad Bugs

Below are pictures of some pads in clarinet keys. Notice the chunks that are missing out of the pads.






Where did the missing chunks of these pads go? They were eaten by bugs! We call them "pad bugs" in the band instrument repair trade. They are actually the larval stage of the carpet beetle. These beetles love to eat felt or wool which is exactly what the pads are made of. You'll find their traces most often in flute and clarinet pads and less often in saxophone bumper felts and pads.

The few we've found alive in instruments that have come into our shop were of the Varied variety. We put them in little vials with a saxophone felt bumper, and named them Larry and Moe. They lived a long healthy life of 8 months feeding on the felt and molting several times.

You are most likely to find evidence of pad bugs after your instrument has been stored for a while in a dark place - closet, attic, basement, etc. If you find this, plan on having the instrument repadded and buying a new case. The adults bugs lay hundreds of eggs so your horn and case will most likely be infested.

There is some debate as to where these pad bugs originate. Some contend that they creep into the case and instrument while it is being stored. Others believe that the eggs are already in the felt when the pads are manufactured and only hatch when the conditions (which storage creates) are right.

Posted 3/22/2007 @ 5:05 PM | Band Instrument Repair