Hi Amanda, Oh yes – very familiar with red-legged ham beetles! I would agree that the times are too short. Either anoxic or freezing (-20 deg C) will be successful, but should be longer. I would freeze (double bag,-20 degree C) for a minimum of a week, preferably two, to be on the safe side. I have only minimal experience on anoxic – so others are more qualified to say how long the treatment should be for.
All organic materials in the case need to be frozen the same way. Inorganic materials should be cleaned to make sure that there are no eggs in the crevices. Then the case be thoroughly cleaned, getting into all crevices. Remember that neither anoxic or freezing guarantees that the eggs are killed – so the objects should be examined, cleaned, isolated and observed. Follow recommendations on the Museum Pest Network site. good luck! Gretchen From: [email protected] <[email protected]> On Behalf Of Amanda Robinson Sent: Tuesday, October 22, 2019 9:52 AM To: [email protected] Subject: [pestlist] Treatment for red-legged Ham Beetle I am curious if others have come across the red-legged ham beetle (Necrobia rufipes) and can share the appropriate course of treatment. At the moment, our pest management provider has recommended two courses of action: argon treatment for at least 24 hours, or freezing for at least 48 hours. Both timelines seem very short to me and I want to make sure we are eradicating this pest issue completely. The affected specimen is a bull skull with horns. The piece is in an enclosed case with dried gourds and books (a memento mori style case). We are confident the infestation is limited to this case, which is sealed, and we do intend to treat the entire contents of this case. Any advice or guidance would be most appreciated. Thank you, Amanda -- Amanda A. Robinson Museum Registrar, Collections Management M.A. Art History, Museum Studies, Florida State University Specializing in the Cataloging, Digitization, and Preservation of all Fine Art Objects (772) 321-9183 [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> www.linkedin.com/in/amandaashleyrobinson<http://www.linkedin.com/in/amandaashleyrobinson> -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Museumpests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/CAGcvShNs587Qzi5vAq-yuG%3DVGAO2oFcwbg7OEyGv-Ob_hPuHOg%40mail.gmail.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/CAGcvShNs587Qzi5vAq-yuG%3DVGAO2oFcwbg7OEyGv-Ob_hPuHOg%40mail.gmail.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. The information contained in this message and/or attachments is intended only for the person or entity to which it is addressed and may contain confidential and/or privileged material. Any review, retransmission, dissemination or other use of, or taking of any action in reliance upon, this information by persons or entities other than the intended recipient is prohibited. If you received this in error, please contact the sender and delete the material from any system and destroy any copies. Any views expressed in this message are those of the individual sender. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "Museumpests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to [email protected]. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/BL0PR02MB43060F0DF5B504E6FBDB70C1BC680%40BL0PR02MB4306.namprd02.prod.outlook.com.
