Mosquitoes: Bugs will not harm your dulcimer. What you use to combat them, however, can do a lot of damage. All those insect repellents have propellants and solvents that can dissolve the finish of a musical instrument. Unlike perspiration, which can be tolerated by the finish for a while, these cocktails of solvents can immediately ruin your lovely instrument. If you need to spray yourself down or wipe on a little citronella oil, do the following:
1. Put your instrument out of the combat zone until you are done.
2. Before you pick
up your beloved dulcimer, wipe off any areas of your fingers, hands, arms, and clothing
that will contact the dulcimer.
3. Protect the dulcimer's back from the mixture of
perspiration and insect repellent on your lap, perhaps with a towel.
Sunlight: Old Sol can be quite harsh on wood and finishes. Some woods change color over periods of exposure to the sun; redwood is a famous example.
Try to keep your instrument from long exposure to direct sunlight.
Chances are that if you need sunscreen protection, the environment is too harsh for your dulcimer. Sitting in the shade is nice when you play music, don't you think?
