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 pestlist@museumpests.net To unsubscribe please look at the footer of this email. --- Tom - I also believe that spider beetles may be a result of skunks nesting under this structure off and on for years . . . of course we try to eliminate them from burrowing under rock foundation and have done a bit with installing buried wire barriers but without accessing this area at some point and cleaning them up I don't think the problem will get significantly better. Good news again is we aren't finding them eating the collection . . . wouldn't it be ironic to finally get an opportunity to clean out the decades of nesting and have the spider beetles turn on the collection items . . . now that would be a Halloween Curatorial Horror Story. 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: chris_f...@nps.gov 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 pestl...@museumpests.com To unsubscribe from this list send an email to imail...@museumpests.net and in the body put: unsubscribe pestlist Any problems email l...@zaks.com
Re: [pestlist] dead zone to isolate museum from plantings
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 m.c.boff...@mail.utexas.edu To: pestlist@museumpests.net 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: chris_f...@nps.gov To: pestlist@museumpests.net 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 pestlist@museumpests.net 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
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 pestlist@museumpests.net To unsubscribe please look at the footer of this email. --- Thanks for all the helpful responses to my question about creating a dead zone around the museum! Tania Tania Collas Head of Conservation Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 763-3513 - To send an email to the list, send your msg to pestl...@museumpests.com To unsubscribe from this list send an email to imail...@museumpests.net and in the body put: unsubscribe pestlist Any problems email l...@zaks.com - To send an email to the list, send your msg to pestl...@museumpests.com To unsubscribe from this list send an email to imail...@museumpests.net and in the body put: unsubscribe pestlist Any problems email l...@zaks.com
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: chris_f...@nps.gov To: pestlist@museumpests.net 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 mailto:pestlist@museumpests.netpestlist@museumpests.net 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: mailto:chris_f...@nps.govchris_f...@nps.gov http://www.nps.gov/grkowww.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 mailto:pestl...@museumpests.compestl...@museumpests.com To unsubscribe from this list send an email to mailto:imail...@museumpests.netimail...@museumpests.net and in the body put: unsubscribe pestlist Any problems email mailto:l...@zaks.coml...@zaks.com
Re: [pestlist] dead zone to isolate museum from plantings
Whoops. I forgot crickets. They can support 2 or 3 carpet beetle larvae, so
can American cockroaches.
Tom
-Original Message-
From: Mary Baughman m.c.boff...@mail.utexas.edu
To: pestlist@museumpests.net
Sent: Fri, Oct 30, 2009 5:47 pm
Subject: Re: [pestlist] dead zone to isolate museum from plantings
THANKS !
Very helpful.
Our lunch counter serves crickets.
Mary B
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 m.c.boff...@mail.utexas.edu
To: pestlist@museumpests.net
Sent: Fri, Oct 30, 2009 1:34 pm
Subject: Re: [pestlist] dead zone to isolate museum from plantings
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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: chris_f...@nps.gov
To: pestlist@museumpests.net
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 pestlist@museumpests.net
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
Re: [pestlist] dead zone to isolate museum from plantings
Tania - A three foot border of dark-colored, crushed stone is ideal as a barrier against pests. Landscaping fabric should be put down first and then 4-6 of the crushed stone. On the sunnier sides of the building this area will heat up and really make the barrier inhospitable for all sorts of crawling insects. It usually prevents rodent burrowing also. Tom Parker -Original Message- From: Tania Collas tcol...@nhm.org To: pestlist@museumpests.net Sent: Thu, Oct 29, 2009 3:22 pm Subject: [pestlist] dead zone to isolate museum from plantings Hello, The Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County is undergoing an extensive landscaping project around the north half of our building which will include an area of natural vegetation to attract insects and birds. This broad re-design of the museum’s grounds offers the opportunity to create a better separation of our outdoor and indoor spaces than currently exists. In considering our new project, I wanted to find out about measures that other museums or collections facilities had taken to isolate their buildings from the insects and rodents that may harbor in planted areas. Specifically, I was wondering if other institutions have found that leaving a margin of unplanted space around the perimeter of the building (a.k.a. the “dead zone”) helped to exclude pests? How wide should this margin be and should it be paved or covered with gravel? Any other advice about incorporating preventive measures to keep pests out of the museum into landscape and outdoor space design would be appreciated. Many thanks, Tania Collas Tania Collas Head of Conservation Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County 900 Exposition Boulevard Los Angeles, CA 90007 (213) 763-3513 tcol...@nhm.org
