Treating insect and pest infestations

silverfish caught on a blunder trap

A glue board of this type used in America to trap mice and snakes among other creatures should NEVER be used for rodent control

Traps
If above normal insect activity is suspected in an area start by making a plan of the room. Acquire small sticky traps from Conservation and Collection Care Service and place them in strategic positions, such as under radiators, window sills, near skirting boards, under bookcases, etc. Remember to clearly label the traps with a date, number and location and to record this information on the plan. These traps should be checked once a day to begin with and then once a week. All insects should be identified and recorded, and the traps replaced as necessary.

Pheromone traps are one of the most valuable new tools for pest management. Pheromones are the natural scents insects use to communicate with each other. Certain pests can be strongly attracted to the traps from the surrounding area, providing an extremely effective early warning system of pest presence.

Insect electrocutors are useful for detecting and controlling flying insects. They emit ultraviolet light (black light) that attracts flying insects, particularly beetles, flies and moths. The insects are drawn into the trap and electrocuted or fall onto a glue board. These traps must be checked and emptied periodically or the dead insects will themselves attract dermestid beetles and other scavengers.

• Cryotechnics EFG600
• Capacity: 500 ltrs
• Temperature: –10 to –30°C
• Dimensions: H2000 × W780 × D745
• Weight: 150kgs
• Construction: full stainless steel
• Shelves: 5 adjustable
• Digital temperature display – lockable door – fan assisted cooling

Potential pest infestations
By rapidly lowering the temperature to at least –35 °C and holding it at this level for up to several days, most life stages of most insects can be killed. While some commercial freezers are adequate for pest control, others are not able to lower the temperature quickly enough. A slow reduction in the temperature allows some insects to go into a state resembling ‘suspended animation’ and survive the treatment. Naturally, it is important to ensure that the objects are not damaged by the low temperatures and that condensation is controlled.

Preparing material for freezing
If you think you might have items which show signs of active insect damage then Conservation and Collection Care Service are now able to offer our freezer to control pests in infested objects. Material needs to be carefully prepared before freezing.

You require scissors, cotton wool, heavy-duty polythene bags, and masking tape.

Pad the three edges of the text-block with cotton wool to leave as little room as possible for air. Vellum bindings (stiff-board, limp, semi-limp) should be bandaged to avoid any possibility of distortion.

Place the item in a heavy-duty polythene freezer bag (use at least two bags if they are of ordinary quality), or wrap tightly in polythene sheeting.

Extract as much air from the bag as you can by easing it out with your hands.

Seal the bag with masking tape

Complete and stick a yellow identification label onto package.