Insects crawling

March 6, 2016 at 06:56 PM · If you post a clear photo, I can tell you what it is. You need to know what it is before you can take control measures.

You shouldn't have to toss the case - but let's see what the insect is first.

It HAS to be a clear photo. There are a million insect species out there...even if I narrow it down to those of similar size and shape and habitat...there may still be several possible options...

I also need to know where you live.

March 6, 2016 at 07:09 PM · While waiting for bug identification, quarantine the case.

Use 1/2 cup of dry rice to remove the dust and possibly larvae from inside of sound box. Use the vacuum cleaner (at the low speed) to suck out the rest carefully. Hang your violin on a safe spot, while not in use. Use your violin as often as possible; (I am not sure it is true that bugs do not like vibration. )

Once you find out what the bugs are, you may need get the whole place sprayed. If possible, move out.

Worst case scenario is woodworm infestation:

google for Indian woodworm:

https://www.google.ca/search?q=woodworm+%2Bindia&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8&gws_rd=cr&ei=hYHcVqbkFsihjgTs6rbgCw#q=Indian+woodworm

March 7, 2016 at 03:30 AM · Do you own a small tealight oil warmer?

https://www.google.ca/search?q=tea+light+oil+warmer&espv=2&biw=1600&bih=788&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwj066DZz63LAhWJPT4KHRUKDAAQsAQIGg

As a part of my case "sanitation" which I perform once a year, I load little bit of less volatile oil on the warmer, then leave a tealight candle lit inside it. The warmer would be placed inside the case, and case closed and zipped up until all the air burns out.

I would leave the case there for 30 minutes, then do it again, and again, 4 times then vacuum the case after. No time at all almost in between each cycle, because I want to suffocate everything inside the case.

If the bugs are already inside your instrument, I'd carefully leave a lit incense wrapped in tin foil inside the case, with the violin still inside.

March 8, 2016 at 03:02 AM · Steven J. : sorry but you aren't going to eradicate insects by burning up the oxygen in your case even if done repeatedly.

Rather risky for your case and particularly your violin if you leave it in there.

Cases are not airtight and insects are very hardy creatures.

Insect eggs can do without oxygen for a very long time.

Fumigation would work well but you would need to ask a pest control / exterminator company. They use hydrogen cyanide and other highly toxic substances. You need to be licensed to work with that stuff.

March 8, 2016 at 03:30 AM · Well, you're right, that won't work. I still do it annually because my houseplants get infested with something.