Hello everyone, I am reaching out for your expertise regarding an IPM challenge we are experiencing in our solarium, which currently hosts a live butterfly exhibition. We have had an introduction of Pycnoscelus surinamensis (Surinam cockroaches), which have established a stable population. Prior to the arrival of the butterflies, we were able to remove and replace a significant amount of soil; however, some permanent garden beds with large tropical plants could not be emptied. We also conducted a deep cleaning and temporarily reduced both humidity and temperature in an attempt to make the environment less suitable for the cockroaches. Now that the solarium is once again maintained under warm, humid, tropical conditions and with abundant food resources the cockroach population is increasing and thriving. We are looking for safe, butterfly compatible strategies to help reduce cockroach numbers. Once the exhibition ends, we will be able to remove all substrate and conduct a complete sanitation of the space. For context, these cockroaches do not pose a threat to our museum collections, but they are undesirable within the exhibition environment. Any advice, experience or recommendations would be greatly appreciated. Thank you,
Mariève Perron Technicienne en conservation/Conservation Technician Musée Canadien de la Nature/Canadian Museum of nature 819-923-8818 [https://www.nature.ca/sites/all/themes/realdecoy/images/splash/splash-logo.jpg] <https://nature.ca/> -- This PestList and the MuseumPests.com web site are made possible due to the talent, intelligence, devotion and donations of hundreds of volunteers. Your donation to help this resource continue would be greatly appreciated. Please consider a donation donating at https://givebutter.com/MuseumPests To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] --- 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 visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/QB1PR01MB2994069CA185EB6B2F472C2AB6CDA%40QB1PR01MB2994.CANPRD01.PROD.OUTLOOK.COM.
