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Q&A Special: How do you handle Pests?
Those pests which cohabit with museum objects
are no lightweights. They know how to survive and they do it under
extreme conditions. A museum environment with its dark corners and
large amounts of organic material, is the equivalent of a five star
hotel to your average cockroach or silverfish. If you add high humidity
into that mix then the clients you can attract will expand to include
the Mould Family and the Fungi Group Inc.
'Know your enemy' is a valuable maxim for the
museum worker, with the rider 'never underestimate them'. The damage
they cause can happen quickly. Pests love to work overnight and
the results of their labours are devastating.
Pests in the museum environment (human examples
aside) span a good range of the large and small marsupial, rodent,
bird, insect, mould and fungi life forms. The intensity of their
desire to eat, sleep, defecate, procreate and put in some quality
recreation time in your museum is directly proportionate to the
level of comfort and accessibility which you provide for them.
Generally, your large or small marsupial or
rodent is attracted by a safe entry and exit point, and some peace
and security once they have arrived. Blocking off access is therefore
important; for example check for loose tiles or fascia boards and
ensure that there are no detaching skirting boards. Possums are
a protected species and require special consideration in relation
to eviction. However, rodent baits are an effective means of controlling
mice and rat infestations.
Birds generally fall into the 'bewildered visitor'
category in a museum. That is they are not sure how they got in,
they have no idea how to get out, and the reasons for being there
are not clear to them. Common sense (avoiding leaving doors open,
blocking in obvious entry points in roofs) can preempt the
dazed and confused bird. Once in, a calm, systematic approach generally
incorporating a pincer movement, is the most successful eradication
tactic.
Insects, on the other hand, are small, quick,
cunning and quiet. Often insect damage is not obvious until after
severe damage has been done. With 'The Insect' eternal vigilance
is essential. Insects eat, defecate, breed and die. All stages can
result in damage to museum items. Silverfish, cockroaches and moths
are common pests which cause damage by using museum and archival
items as a food source. Their dead bodies and faeces can also stain
items and cause rot in organic material. Other insect pests cause
most problems in the larval stage where they burrow or bore through
material or build cocoons within material. As the larvae grow they
also feed on their surroundings. Insects dislike housekeeping being
carried on around them. They resent the disturbance and dislike
cleanliness. Therefore good housekeeping practices are the best
weapons in the defeat of 'The Insect'. Regular cleaning, good air
flow, the use of appropriate chemicals and other techniques (as
deterrents and for killing), eradication or isolating of food sources,
the use of insect traps and regular inspection are critical in minimising
insect damage to your collection.
Mould and fungi spores prefer damp areas in
order to develop into fruiting bodies. It is therefore important
to avoid the development of microclimates within a collection, however
once the spores germinate mould and fungi create their own microclimate
by absorbing moisture from the air, creating damp spots and further
fuelling their growth. Mould and fungi grow best in warm, dark,
damp areas with little or no airflow. Maintaining stable humidity
in the range 45-55%, and certainly no higher than 65% is important.
Avoiding cross contamination from mould spores travelling or brought
in from other areas is also important.
Damage to museum collections from pests is widespread,
yet generally preventable. Common sense and vigilance are the best
defence. Remember also that pest control often involves the use
of chemicals or poisons that can adversely affect human health,
and following good health and safety procedures is therefore very
important. The literature on pest management is constantly being
added to and updated. A good overview is presented in the reCollections
volume Damage and Decay.1 While pest control companies can provide
good advice they are often not aware of the special needs of museum
collections. For example, some fumigation chemicals can damage organic
materials, others can lead to corrosion of metals and some may contain
other materials such as oils which will stain objects. If you require
specialist assistance you can seek support from conservation staff
in the major institutions.
Pests that are common to museums are common
elsewhere. They are the original and most successful exponents of
globalisation, and will takeover and restructure your valuable assets
to their advantage whenever your defenses are low. It is a very
important maxim in relation to pest control in museums that 'Prevention
is Better Than Cure'. A three pronged approach of securing your
area, checking for infestation and taking immediate action is essential.
You can generally stop pests before they enter the museum, you can
make conditions inhospitable for them once they have entered, and
you can exterminate them upon discovery. Each step involves more
knowledge, more energy and more cost than the previous. And the
simplest approach of regular housekeeping and regular checking will
lessen the amount of anguish and work an insect or other pest can
cause.
They may be small, but they are very effective
- never underestimate the enemy!
Robyn Sloggett, Deputy Director and Grimwade
Chief Conservator, Ian Potter Museum of Art and Ian Potter Conservation
Centre, University of Melbourne, Telephone (03) 8344 7989 or ou
can visit the Ian Potter at www.art-museum.unimelb.edu.au
1. reCollections was handed out to most small
museums as part of its launch and workshop 18 months ago. Otherwise
people could contact: Paul McInnes, (02) 6271 1094, Email: hcc@dcita.gov.au
or get a copy online at www.amol.org/recollections
Members can also come into the MA (Vic) office and view our copy.
Ed. For additional online conservation resources
try these: http://www.austmus.gov.au/science/division/matcon.htm
http://palimpsest.stanford.edu:80/
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