Small Holes in a Leather Bag: Could It Be Insects?

Look for small fresh holes, a grazed surface and larval casings in dark corners. Keep storage clean, inspect every three months and ask for advice.

Published November 6, 2026 · 3 min read · Topic: Cleaning, Stains & Odours · Cleaning & stains

Typical situation

You find tiny holes and a little dust-like debris at the bottom of a leather bag that has sat in a wardrobe for a year.

Main answer · berabags Editorial Team · Care view

It could be. The Canadian Conservation Institute says that some insects, such as hide and carpet beetles, will eat leather, and that signs include recent small holes, a damaged surface and frass or larval casings in dark, protected areas. Holes can have other causes, so look at the whole picture.

What the CCI says

Some insects such as dermestids eat leather, while others are attracted to the oils or decorative materials associated with it.
Signs include recent small holes in the leather, a damaged surface from insect grazing, and frass or larval casings in dark, protected areas.
Good housekeeping is essential: storage areas should be clean and orderly, and objects protected from dust.
Collections should be inspected every three months for signs of mould or insects.
If an infestation occurs, it advises seeking suitable control methods.

What to do if you suspect insects

Isolate the bag, away from other items.
Look for frass, casings or live insects in dark places.
Vacuum the cupboard and wipe the shelves.
Look at nearby wool, fur and other leather.
Ask a pest control professional or a conservator for advice on treatment.

Other possible causes

Small holes can come from a worn stitch line, a snagged fitting or old damage, so check whether the holes are fresh and whether there is debris beside them.

After any suspected infestation, keep checking the area for several weeks. New casings or fresh holes mean that the problem has not been dealt with, and that other leather, wool or fur nearby may also need to be looked at by a professional.

Where this answer stops

The CCI describes museum collections. We cannot diagnose your bag from a description, and treatment of an infestation needs expert advice.

Sources and further reading

Canadian Conservation Institute: Care of alum, vegetable and mineral-tanned leather (CCI Note 8/2)

Three more perspectives

berabags Editorial Team · Maintenance view

Housekeeping is the main defence. A clean, tidy cupboard with sealed covers is less inviting to insects than a crowded one, and it is easier to inspect.

berabags Editorial Team · Selection view

Inspect the dark places: under the flap, inside pockets and along the base. Insects favour sheltered spots, so a quick look there tells you more than a glance at the outside.

berabags Editorial Team · Risk view

Do not treat an infestation with a spray on the bag. Bring in advice from a pest controller or a conservator before you apply anything, since a chemical can mark leather.

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