There's no need to spray cut flowers. About the only critter of consequence to museum collections which may be feeding on the pollen are carpet beetles of the genus Anthrenus. When they are disturbed during cutting, they recess their antennae and legs into grooves on their bodies and roll off like a piece of shotgun shot. By the time you get the flowers indoors, there's really nothing of concern.
In a Longwood Gardens situation, I would be more concerned with scale insects or aphids which may hitch a ride on the flowers.
Thomas A. Parker, PhD
President, Entomologist
Pest Control Services, Inc.
469 Mimosa Circle
Kennett Square, PA
610-444-2277 Office
610-444-2615 Fax
610-348-9890 Cell
-----Original Message-----
From: Sara Helm <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Mon, Aug 24, 2009 1:59 pm
Subject: [pestlist] Spraying cut flowers for installation in a museum
-----Original Message-----
From: Sara Helm <[email protected]>
To: [email protected]
Sent: Mon, Aug 24, 2009 1:59 pm
Subject: [pestlist] Spraying cut flowers for installation in a museum
Hello,
A colleague of mine has been asked to spray cut flowers with insecticide prior to their display in a museum. Does anyone have information as to what he should spray them with or if they truly must be sprayed? They are being imported from Holland, and will have an Export Certificate, which indicates that they have been inspected for pests (and likely sprayed) prior to their leaving Holland.
The main concern is that since they will be cut flowers, if we spray them here in the US when they arrive, there is usually a 24- to 36-hour period when people cannot be exposed to the sprayed plants due to safety regulations. This will considerably shorten the time period when they can be displayed in the museum.
Thank you for any knowledge you may impart,
Sara Helm
Research Assistant
Longwood Gardens Inc.
P.O. Box 501
Kennett Square, PA 19348
Research Assistant
Longwood Gardens Inc.
P.O. Box 501
Kennett Square, PA 19348
