Are bow bugs real?

You better practice, or else!

Back in the day when anyone would mention bow bugs, I would laugh. 

Yeah, right!  There are bugs that eat your bow hair if you don't open the case often enough? 

Sounded like some boogie-man story used by frustrated string teachers to scare students into practicing everyday.

bow bug and larva

Well, I'm alot older and a bit wiser now and have learned the truth about bow bugs.

They are REAL!

Have you ever pulled a bow out of a case (that maybe hasn't been opened for a while, ahem) only to find the bow hair is totally falling out?

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You might think that the dynamic duo, Two Cellos, has been sneaking into your house and secretly using your bow (IT COULD HAPPEN!  Those guys seem to be in need of so many backup bows--and who knows how they get them? I'm just saying). 

Hmmm. Whose bow can we borrow next?

But the real story is that bow bugs have been munching on that delicious horse hair in the liberating darkness inside your velvet-lined cello case.

Keep that case closed and I'll be sure to swing by for dinner...

To get more info on bow bugs and what to do if they have already infested your case, read this article on the Johnson String Instrument site: 
http://www.johnsonstring.com/Bitten%20By%20Bug.htm

But, now that I am a teacher myself, I just can't help saying:

Practice every day and the bugs will stay away!

That's by far the best insurance.

Also, be sure to clean any cases you happen to purchase on CRAIGSLIST.  Probably a good policy anyway...

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