Isolate them. Buy a dogs flea collar and cut into 1" pcs. and zip up tightly inside with your hackles. The chemicals will kill off most bugs and larvae.
Here is something I'd saved from long ago. I think the originator is very well versed:
DEBUGGING MATERIALS 1. Until proven otherwise, any new material to a collection is to be considered contaminated ─ no matter what the source. 2. Always be on the lookout in your tying room for contamination by "bugs." 3. Some bug killers are carcinogenic, so take care in handling and avoid prolonged breathing. 4. Microwaving cannot be depended on to kill eggs, larvae and/or adults. 5. Freezing will kill larvae and adults, but cannot be depended upon to kill eggs. 6. To kill, commercial bug sprays can be sprayed/poured onto a rag which is then sealed in a container with buggy materials. Again, this may not kill all eggs. After this process, wash the material to remove the insecticide. 7. If moth crystals are used, seal them with the material. a. This fumigates the material. b. It reduces fumes in the storage area. c. Reduces waste of crystals (slows evaporation). d. Paradichlorobenzene kills, naphthalene deters.
8. Specifically for Variegated Carpet Beetles, a way to kill them is to cycle them. Their hatching is cyclic over a period of about 30-45 days. Place the material into a plastic bag in the freezer overnight. Then bring the material out and place in room temperature, dark location for 30-45 days. Again place the material back into the freezer again. Another solution is to periodically open up the entire room to extremes of hot or cold. For instance during the heat of summer or cold of winter, open the window to the room that your tying materials are in. These bugs do not tolerate extremes of hot or cold. Prepare the room accordingly so that nothing is damaged by these extreme climate changes, such as moisture on furniture, etc. STORAGE OF MATERIALS Use sealable storage jars or plastic bags A. When using plastic sealed bags (Ziplock or heat-sealed), it can be assumed unlikely that bugs will get into the bag, but may eat their way out of a bag they are in. B. Plastic or glass jars may not store as compactly as plastic bags, but are sealable. C. It is wise when storing multiple materials in a given space to use multiple sealed bags to compartmentalize materials and reduce carry-over problems with bugs. D. Make sure the material is completely dry before storing to avoid mildew.
Jeremy.
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