Argon is generally considered an inert gas. Please clarify why you are claiming that " 'inert' gases are likely to foster fungal growth." You mentioning your use of argon systems for over 10 years would seem to contradict your own claim. Any inert gas that can be use to displace O2 should actually inhibit bacterial and fungal growth. One need only look to the use of nitrogen and carbon dioxide in food packaging used to increase shelf life.
Many thanks for any literature links you could send us to clarify what you meant. -Kate Payne de Chavez ________________________________ From: ulisses mello <[email protected]> To: [email protected] Sent: Fri, October 8, 2010 6:22:18 PM Subject: Re: [pestlist] Fwd: Fumigating cabinets - bug infestation Dear Dr. Diego; The most reasonable option is to use anoxic system, specially with argon protocol. This is due to the fact other "inert" gases are likely to foster fungal growth. Please give me a call when you can, and I'll be pleased to help you as I'm using argon's anoxia systems here in Brazil for over ten years. Best regards, Ulisses Mello, Dip. Cons., PG Art Care do Brasil Mobile: +55 21 98979074 Office: +55 21 25587749 2010/10/8 Revelez, Marcia A. <[email protected]> Forwarding this for a colleague. Please respond to Deigo (email below). >Thanks! > >---------------------------------------------------------------------------- >Marcia A. Revelez >Collection Manager >Department of Mammalogy >Division of Collections and Research >Sam Noble Oklahoma Museum of Natural History >University of Oklahoma >2401 Chautauqua >Norman, OK 73072 >Phone: 405-325-7988 >Fax: 405-325-7699 > > > > > > > >Begin forwarded message: > >From: Diego Astua de Moraes <[email protected]> >> >>Date: October 8, 2010 12:43:07 PM CDT >> >>To: <[email protected]> >> >>Subject: Fumigating cabinets - bug infestation >> >>Reply-To: Mammalian Biology <[email protected]> >> >>Hi all. >>In a matter of days bugs have started to show in our skin cabinets. According >>to >>our entomologist they should be beetles that feed on wood or cellulose (sorry >>if >>the family names escapes right now), but other entomology curators have seen >>these eating almost everything in other regions of Brazil. Regardless of what >>they are, I want them all dead now! >>In short, I need to get rid of them as quickly as possible, before the damage >>increases. Freezing is unpractical at this point, too many specimens and too >>little freezer space (we are talking about 3 cabinets with beetles confirmed, >>and about 3-4 others still intact, but that I want to protect as well). I´ve >>had >>suggestions of fumigating the entire cabinets using PDB balls, but I can´t >>seem >>to be able to find those here quickly. >>Our entomology colleagues have suggested to use ethyl acetate and seal the >>cabinets so that it kills adults and larvae. My main doubt is if there is any >>knowledge that this may damage severely the skins (because if i don´t do >>anything quickly they are being damaegd anyway!), and if this would be >>enough. I >>am not sure about the amounts, I´ve read of a cotton ball in ethyl acetate to >>fumigate a small container to kill the ectoparasites of a single specimen, bu >>what about a whole cabinet? And how long should it be kept sealed? Or are >>there >>any other quick solutions, remembering that many "easy" solutions are now >>radily >>found around here....! >>thanks for any help. >>Diego >> >>Diego Astúa de Moraes, D.Sc. >>Departamento de Zoologia - CCB >>Universidade Federal de Pernambuco >>Av. Professor Moraes Rego, s/n. >>Cidade Universitária >>50670-420 Recife, PE >>Fone(fax): (81) 2126-8353 >>email: [email protected] - [email protected] >>http://www.ufpe.br/mastozoologia/ >> >
