This is a message from the Museumpests List. To post to this list send it as an email to [email protected] To unsubscribe please look at the footer of this email. ----------------------------------------------------------- Hi Scott, You have come to the right place! Many of us on this list have used freezing massive numbers of items to manage pest infestations. At my former institution we processed and entire collection of mammal and bird specimens through our walk-in freezer, successfully eliminating known dermestid and moth infestation priro to moving the collection to a new storage facility - as far as I know storage is pest free 12 years later. Yes it is time consuming but it works with no damage to the collection.
Your basic proposal is the best and most practical method - However, as Hugh mentions, you need to learn the specifics of freezing prior to attempting the treatment. Double bagging is the best method to protect the collection- done properly this will eliminate RH fluctuations and condensation on the objects. I recommend that you attain a temperature of at least -18 deg. C or lower - for the duration of the freeze period. The time is the most difficult thing to determine- especially with dense material. I would do no less than 2 weeks - but you need to make sure that the core of your material has reached the critical temperature. For further information go to http://www.museumpests.net/- there are articles posted under the treatment section that will help you better understand the process and provide parameters. You might also read the article by Tom Strang on the Canadian Conservation institute web site about integrated pest management. http://www.cci-icc.gc.ca/caringfor-prendresoindes/articles/10agents/chap06-eng.aspx. This method does work. good luck Gretchen Anderson Conservator Carnegie Museum of Natural History [email protected] ________________________________ From: [email protected] [[email protected]] on behalf of Hugh P. Glover [[email protected]] Sent: Thursday, July 19, 2012 8:30 PM To: [email protected] Subject: Re: [pestlist] Freezing a large donation? This is a message from the Museumpests List. To post to this list send it as an email to [email protected] To unsubscribe please look at the footer of this email. ----------------------------------------------------------- You propose an essentially reasonable precaution, but what pests, and what freeze temperatures? You came to the right place though. Hugh Glover (WACC) On Jul 19, 2012 6:37 PM, "Reinke, Scott" <[email protected]<mailto:[email protected]>> wrote: This is a message from the Museumpests List. To post to this list send it as an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> To unsubscribe please look at the footer of this email. ----------------------------------------------------------- Hello, I was referred to this list as a possible resource to help answer my question. Does anyone have experience accepting large donations that may be infested with pests? We are in the process of planning the move of 700 + linear feet, of primarily paper-based materials, from a building that has not had power for years. I have concerns about integrating these materials with existing collections. My first thought was double-bagging every box and dropping them at a commercial freezer for a week before we receive the materials. Does anyone have other suggestions that may not be so labor intensive? Any suggestions would greatly appreciated. Thanks, Scott Scott David Reinke Preservation Administrator University of Miami Libraries 1300 Memorial Drive Coral Gables, FL 33124-0320 305.284.1844<tel:305.284.1844> (office) 305.284.2661<tel:305.284.2661> (lab) 305.284.4721<tel:305.284.4721> (fax) [email protected]<http://[email protected]> ---------------------------------------------------------------------- To send an email to the list, send your msg to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this list send an email to [email protected]<mailto:[email protected]> and in the subject put: "unsubscribe" - no quotes please. You are receiving the Pestlist emails in standard mode. 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