It is a good idea to stop using naphthalen to deter pest insects. I did some tests in my MA to protect some Egyptian mummies from attack by Hide beetles (Dermites maculatus). I have used cedar oil and thymol to kill all insect stages, and I found cedar oil is an effective to kill and deter the insect and it is safe for human because it is natural oil. You can use Thymol as well. there was no side effect on mummies linen or skin by cedar oil or Thymol.
If you want to use that try to check the effect of natural oil (cedar) and chemical insecticide (Thymol) on your object before use it in the museum display cases.
I hope that can help.
Kind regards,
Abdelrazek Elnaggr
Assistant lecturer
Conservation Dept., Faculty of Archaeology,
Fayoum Univ., Egypt.
Our museum is no longer using naphthalene in the entomology store to deter pest insects. We have adopted IPM, but are still grappling with persistent infestations of Anthrenus verbasci. It has been suggested to me that an alternative chemical method should be employed to deter pests, and someone has suggested that we include camphor inside each specimen drawer.
I would like to know if anyone is using camphor in the place of naphthalene, if it is successful at deterring insect pests, (specifically the larvae of Anthrenus verbasci), and any occupational health and safety issues associated with its use. Does camphor crystallise out on specimens and specimen containers like naphthalene? Does it cause any other problems?
Is anyone successfully using any other kind of insect deterrent chemicals with entomology collections?
Renita Ryan
Principal Conservator, Objects
Artlab Australia
