Bugs in batting
 

I just received an online order of 80/20 Pellon batting and it has some sort of bug - live bug - infestation. I did not realize it at first and while working on a commissioned quilt, started noticing the little buggers. Now they are all over my sewing room. I am at a loss what to do now. Has anyone else had this problem?

OMG! I would be freaking out and losing my mind!

You need to find out what type of bug you have so you can figure out how to get rid of them. There are a number of websites that specialize in identifying bugs-- BugGuide is a big one. Are you able to post a pic here? Maybe we can help too..

:hug: so sorry you are going thru this

I've never heard of this. Get in touch with your supplier. You should get a refund. No replacement as you may end up with more of the same. BTW, who was your supplier? Some of us would like to know to avoid the same problem.

As for your current invasion, chem's suggestion sounds good.

All I can say is, OMG! :(

I have tried to identify the bug and it looks like the pantry bug but I don't have any in my pantry! I'm guessing some must have gotten in when they packaged my order, wherever that was, since it was by the yard, not pre-packaged. It was wrapped on a cardboard bolt and inside a plastic shipping bag. They are so small, I can't get a good picture but I promise you - no one wants these. I ordered from WalMart online. I have gotten it through them before and didn't have a problem.

rofl!!! :d

Maybe they're moths!

If it were me, I would contact an exterminator, preferably one with a national network and reputation, and Wal-Mart would be paying for the extermination costs! You have a right to expect something you order from them comes in un-infested.

I totally agree with Tartan. No delays!

Do everything previously mentioned...but put batting outside too, maybe more won't get out. Perhaps you could use scotch tape over one and then see it easier. What a nightmare. Will not order from them.

can you give a general description of the bug? You say it looks like a pantry bug - a larder beetle? Little black beetle with a lighter colored zigzag stripe across the back?

I feel for you. How terrible!

How horrible!! And not something anyone would ever think could happen! Thank you so much for joining the board and warning us of this possibility. I am extremely concerned when you say they are so tiny as bed bugs are also tiny and have a similar appearance to beetles. Google images of them. Additionally they spread so easily. They could have been in the distribution center where it shipped from, or on the employee' clothing who packed your order or any number of possibilities. You have my sympathies in this ordeal. I would definitely be contacting Walmart right away as they should be responsible for extermination fees. Exterminator would be next and I would ask them to document everything so you can go back to Walmart with it. Please do come back and let us know what the outcome is. What a horrible thing to happen.

I had these before! A big teddy bear given to my DD was infested with these little bugs and I didn't know it. She put the bear on a shelf and never played with it. They were weevils . The bear was in the house for a long time before we noticed and the only way I noticed was the bugs grew wings and started flying. After getting rid of the bear and killing any we saw flying around I never had a problem with them.

I doubt it's bedbugs, you don't see those out in the open. They hide from light.

OP please update us! I'm scared!!! Have you been eaten alive by the bugs? Please respond!

Hubby thinks weevils from China.

Just reread this and realized it sounded sarcastic-- not my intention!

I am very concerned about RK and deeply grossed out at the situation she is in :( . Please let us know how you are dealing with this RK. What a scary thought that anyone of us could order batting online and receive an infestation- Ugh!!!!!

I'm not a bug phobic or anything near that, but if the batting was made in China, or anywhere that's not USA, it does need to be reported I think. There have been many instances of harmful insect infestations from foreign countries. You don't want the next Dutch Elm disease or Emerald Ash Borer in your sewing room. Maybe put the batting + insects in a big bag for now.

I didn't think you sounded sarcastic at all. This ordeal is really gross! I feel for her.

I sure hope it's the lesser of two weevils.


(Sorry, I couldn't resist.) At any rate, yes, that's totally gross and should be Walmart's entire responsibility. Document everything! Pictures of the bugs, of where they are in your room, how widespread they are (maybe take video if possible), document the time it takes you to clean and bag stuff. Seriously, this is nasty and is making me itch just thinking about it.

You need to directly contact the company that made the batting, plus Walmart. When I had problem with quality of a roll of batting, I contacted the company and it was replaced immediately, even though I had ordered through Walmart, very nice customer service.

Yes, I would like to know too who the supplier is.

Wrap the bolt of batting in plastic and put in freezer. That will kill the weevils and any eggs from spreading. In the meantime call the batting manufacture and Walmart and get the ball rolling for a refund or replacement. When all is set right, toss the frozen batting the the dumpster.

I freeze rice, flour, meal, and other grain products before putting in my pantry. Weevils aren't a health risk but very annoying and useless.

Oh ugh. I almost had this problem but I spotted the bugs in time. That was a roll of batting from a thrift shop, so I wasn't too shocked; just glad I spotted them in the bag before I brought it home! (I showed the shop; they threw it out.) Bleh!

I hope it's something harmless and easy to get rid of. Definitely contact WalMart ASAP! They need to know before they infest someone else's home, and I agree they ought to at least help pay for any remediation you need to do to get rid of them.

I feel itchy now.

I'm sorry if this sounds as though I'm being critical about the previous post by Onebyone, it's not intended that way. Unless one has a very large, empty freezer, that suggestion could prove to be impossible. I have a very large refrigerator with a side-by-side freezer. My freezer is full. And, a bolt of batting, even a very few yards (like 3) makes a very large item -- I wouldn't have room in my freezer for it. Since this is, if I remember the original post correctly, 80/20, it's very likely boll weevils, which infest the cotton plant in the fields -- but I really can't be sure. While cotton is grown in warmer climates, there's still some freezing weather that evidently failed to "kill" the insects -- so I'm not sure that freezing the batting would be beneficial. Likewise, freezing the batting "could" solve the problem. I think I'd play safely and call an exterminator!

I'm anxious to find out what this is.