[Nhcoll-l] Advice for pests in collections

[Trock, Debra]

I sent Mireia a long reply, off list, about how we got rid of our pest problem (one that had probably existed for 30+ years).  We also tried Gentrol during the 3 years that I was here before we moved our collection.  As Gretchen indicated, it does prevent the larvae from maturing, but it did not stop our infestation.  The other issue was that in order for it to have really been very effective, we would have had to put one of the point-source tabs in each and every cabinet (1200+), changing them every 3 months, which we simply could not afford.  We did use them in cabinets that had known infestations, but ultimately the only thing that got rid of our 30 year old problem was freezing the entire collection and then sanitizing and vacuuming all of the cabinets.  It was a lot of work and some expense, but ultimately worth it.  We’ve had no problems for over 6 years now.

Deb

Dr. Debra Trock
Sr. Collections Manager, Botany
California Academy of Sciences
55 Music Concourse Drive
San Francisco, CA  94118
415-379-5363
dtrock at calacademy.org



From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Anderson, Gretchen
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2014 11:13 AM
To: Amanda Neill; Mireia Beas-Moix; NHColl
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Advice for pests in collections

Gentrol is an interesting product – we have used it here.  It comes in several different applications including one that is not applied or oily – this one is called point source (http://store.doyourownpestcontrol.com/gentrol-point-source) – and it was used at CMNH to get control of a drugstore beetle infestation. The combination of blocking the source of infestation, improved housekeeping and Gentrol Point Source seemed to work.

However, you need to be aware of how the product works – it prevents the immature from becoming mature – so, as you mention, they do not continue to breed.  But remember that in many cases it is the larva that cause the most damage. It is a concern.
Gretchen Anderson
Conservator
Carnegie Museum of Natural History
5800 Baum Blvd
Pittsburgh, PA 15202
Phone (412)665-2607
Andersong at CarnegieMNH.org<mailto:Andersong at CarnegieMNH.org>
http://www.carnegiemnh.org

From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Amanda Neill
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2014 12:26 PM
To: Mireia Beas-Moix; NHColl
Subject: Re: [Nhcoll-l] Advice for pests in collections

Hi Mireia,

We use Gentrol in the BRIT Herbarium.  We have had no outbreaks since we started using it a couple of years ago:

http://zoecon.com/familyofproducts.php?family=Gentrol
“(S)-Hydroprene, the active ingredient in Gentrol, prevents pest larvae from progressing to the adult stage, either causing sterility of adults or preventing the emergence of insects from the pupal stage.  Since the baby bugs can’t grow up, they die, and since the adults can’t breed, the entire population will die out rapidly.  This chemical has no effect on humans and is safe for use in hospitals, schools, and places where food is prepared.  There is very little odor and what little there is will dissipate quickly.”
It is sprayed lightly on the inside of our cabinet doors every quarter I think, and does not seem to leave any residue.
Amanda

Amanda K. Neill |  Director of the Herbarium (BRIT-SMU-VDB) |  817.546.1842 |  BRIT.org<http://www.brit.org/>  | Botanical Research Institute of Texas  | 1700 University Dr., Fort Worth, TX 76107-3400 USA | Think Before You Print


From: nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu<mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> [mailto:nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu] On Behalf Of Mireia Beas-Moix
Sent: Thursday, May 29, 2014 8:05 AM
To: NHColl
Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Advice for pests in collections

Hi all,

We discovered a cigarette beetle pest infestation in one of our herbarium rooms. We bagged the specimens, proceeded with the two-cycle freezing treatment and cleaned the cabinets thoroughly. However, the cabinets in that room are old and do not seal properly.

We follow an integrated pest management program for our collections and avoid the use of chemicals. However, in this case we are considering spraying the cabinets with some pesticide to eliminate any possible beetle remains and avoid the development of a new outbreak.

After some research, it looks like pyrethrum has been used in some collections, although others mention that it did not work at all. What is your advice?

Thank you,

--
Mireia Beas-Moix
Collections Manager
Cheadle Center for Biodiversity and Ecological Restoration
University of California Santa Barbara
Harder South, Rm 1009
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-9615

beas-moix at ccber.ucsb.edu<mailto:beas-moix at ccber.ucsb.edu>
Office 805 893 2401

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