Mary and the rest of the PestList gang - First of all it takes a carpet beetle 4-5 months to complete its development from egg to adult in most of the indoor situations with which I've been involved. Secondly, they most often only feed on carcasses large enough to get the larva inside the carcass. Usually we're dealing with large, nocturnal flying moths (not something as small as a webbing clothes moth), beetles, larger spiders, wasps, bees, hornets, yellow jackets, flies, larger cockroaches, sometimes sow or pillbugs, and of course, rodents.
I therefore suggest a quarterly inspection looking for larger insects and rodents trapped on the glueboards. If larger ones are found, the glueboard should be replaced. If there's a bunch of gnats and ants and smaller insects, the glueboard can stay in place. The glueboards from the Atlantic Paste and Glue Co. last a long time (up to a year), if they don't get dusty. Hope this has been helpful. Tom Parker -----Original Message----- From: Mary Baughman <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Fri, Oct 30, 2009 1:34 pm Subject: Re: [pestlist] "dead zone" to isolate museum from plantings Hi Tom and other pest list folks, What is the optimal length of time to leave out a glue board, especially with regard to avoiding the creation of a "lunch bar" ? If you have limited resources and time to devote to monitoring (doesn't everyone) would it be best to just put out glue boards once a year and then pick them up at the end of that optimal time period ? Mary Baughman Book Conservator Harry Ransom Humanities Research Center The University of Texas at Austin P.O.Drawer 7219 Austin, Texas 78713-7219 Telephone (512) 471-8635 or 471-9117 Fax (512) 471-7930 Christine Ford - I noted in your response, you mentioned "tons of spider beetles." Often spider beetles are generated from grain-based rodent baits and rodent feces. May want to scout around looking for old rodent bait. You are right on with old glueboards producing other pests, primarily carpet beetles. It is uncanny how adult carpet beetles can fly to a glueboard loaded with dead insects, lay eggs on the carcasses, then the larvae mature into adult beetles, which then either lay more eggs on the carcasses or fly off to infest artifacts and exhibits. All the while never seeming to get caught by the sticky trap! So the next time you see a pile of "powder" surrounding dead insects on your glueboards, carpet beetles are bellying up to the "lunch bar." Thanks for your newsy note. I wholeheartedly agree; a vacuum cleaner is the number one IPM tool in any heritage collection storage and exhibition situation. Tom Parker -----Original Message----- From: [email protected] To: [email protected] Sent: Fri, Oct 30, 2009 10:32 am Subject: Re: [pestlist] "dead zone" to isolate museum from plantings This is a message from the Pest Management Database List. To post to this list send it as an email to [email protected] To unsubscribe please look at the footer of this email. ----------------------------------------------------------- We built a museum storage facility with a hot zone . . . about 12" with about 2" gravel held in place by 2x6 board on outside edge and I believe there is a barrier under the gravel to prevent vegetation growth. I think it helps. We also made sure all water coming off the rough is directed far away from the structure though gutters downspouts. We also created a hot zone around a historic structure in the middle of a cultural landscape . . . its just dirt without plantings . . . its more difficult to maintain as the vegetation comes in . . . we do spray this area with herbicides on occasion. There is another historic structure with historic furnishings that we have not done this with. We have been challenged for years in both of these historically furnished 1860s structures with museum pests - dermestids mostly - tons of spider beetles in one. I've not noticed a change and I don't believe monitoring has been able to show a change between when we didn't have the removal of veg from the perimeter or not. However, I think its still a good idea because at least when we look at the pest issues with experts in the field on how to best manage them . . . we can say that the perimeter is here. As opportunity allows, I would like to establish a hot zone around the other structure . . . will keep it very modest - 6" probably - to be able to help maintain the cultural landscape of a residential area. We don't let any tree limbs or bushes come into contact with the structure... We screen openings, e.g. attic vents. And we monitor to see what is coming and going. And use an Integrated Pest Management approach . . . our best method is extensive housekeeping and being strict about a clean environment - no plants, food, drink that pest can feed on - eliminate clutter where they can harbor. Don't let sticky traps around so long that they become a lunch bar for more pests. I have come to peace with the fact that (similar to noxious weeds) we will never eliminate all museum pests at this site . . . we do our best to manage them below harmful thresholds. When we go above those thresholds, we start looking a some "hard" fixes . . . primarily chemical barriers. Feel free to call for more info - Chris Christine Ford Integrated Resources Program Manager Grant-Kohrs Ranch NHS 266 Warren Lane Deer Lodge, MT 59722 406-846-2070 x242 406-846-3962 fax email: [email protected] www.nps.gov/grko "The National Park Service cares for special places saved by the American people, so that all may experience our heritage." ------------------------------------------------------------- To send an email to the list, send your msg to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this list send an email to [email protected] and in the body put: "unsubscribe pestlist" Any problems email [email protected]
