[Nhcoll-l] Advice for pests in collections

[McLaren, Suzanne]

As Gretchen mentioned we used Point Source following a drugstore beetle outbreak in 2003.  However, the real key to solving our problem was that we bagged and frozen many cases full of specimens; while the specimens and their drawers were in the freezer, I wiped out the inside of the cases with a 5% bleach solution; AND we found the source of the infestation, in a boiler housed above our collection.  Removing the source had a nearly instantaneous effect and the use of Point Source, freezing specimens and washing out the insides of the cases tapered off rather quickly thereafter.  We used black lights to monitor the bug population and the numbers went from >100 in the lights every single day to <5 every day and eventually <1 every 6 months.  Point Source needs to be replaced every 90 days so we were happy to have only followed that replacement cycle 3 times as a precaution while we continued to see the black light populations drop.   We still use the black lights to monitor on a monthly basis and have not replaced the point source in 10 years.

Sue

Suzanne B. McLaren
Chair of Collections and
Collection Manager, Section of Mammals
Edward O'Neil Research Center
(Carnegie Museum of Natural History Annex)
5800 Baum Blvd
Pittsburgh PA 15206   USA
Telephone 412-665-2615
Fax 412-665-2751
http://www.carnegiemnh.org/mammals/index.html
http://www.mammalogy.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 2:13 PM
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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