Pad Bugs/Pad Mites

We see a lot of instruments that have become infested with the dreaded Pad Bugs or Pad Mites. Clarinets/Flutes and even Saxophones can become home to these bugs who will live in the case and gleefully eat the instrument pads. 

It's normally to be seen on clarinets as the skin on the pad is thinner than on saxophone or flute pads but not unseen on any woodwind instrument.

It's nearly always to be found on instruments that have been left in a case for a long time so don't worry you won't suddenly open the case and find insects eating your instrument!!!

Sometimes it is difficult to see that the pads on an instrument have been attacked by these bugs but you may seen some white dust around the tone hole or in the case. 

When the pad is removed and examined the damage becomes clear. Here you can see that the outside of the pad is OK pad the inside has been completely destroyed. 

This is very common on instruments that have been "in the attic" for a long time or has been bought second hand (Ebay). Often these instruments can be repaired so it is well worth bringing them into us to be attended to. In any case the instrument is normally unplayable so I would always recommend an instrument that is given to a beginner be checked by a player/repairer/shop to check that it actually works before spending money on lessons. We don't charge for checking an instrument.