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</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]--></head><body lang=PT link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Hello, I am the curator of an insect collection and I am looking for some information on museum pest control. The space where the collection is kept does not have temperature control, only humidity, and in the Summer it can reach temperatures near 30 ºC, sometimes for long periods. We have some procedures to avoid pests, for example when specimens/drawers leave the room they are always frozen for at least 3 days before going back in, we keep everything as closed as possible, have some traps to detect insect pests and try to have everything clean. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>We used to have naphthalene in the boxes, but have removed it some years ago due to health concerns. There is still a heavy scent of naphthalene as it impregnated the furniture. But since then, we have regular disinfestations. However this Summer I have detected some drawers/boxes with Anthrenus (Dermestidae) infestation. It was detected early and there wasn’t much harm done has I have frozen the infested boxes and hopefully contained the infestation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>This made me think that the disinfestation that is being done regularly is not adequate, and while I understand that chemical fumigation should be avoided, since the room doesn’t have temperature control, I think it is essential, at least when an infestation is detected.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>So the disinfestation that has been done is using alpha-cypermetrin and says to be able to control cockroaches, ants, flies, mosquitoes and silverfish. But doesn’t say anything for big concerns such as Dermestidae. It is applied as liquid in the ground.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Is this disinfestation adequate for the type of pest that affect museum collections? Or what insecticides should be used?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Anyone has any experience or can direct me to any specific information on this issue?<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Thank you very much!<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US>Filipe Lopes <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span lang=EN-US style='mso-fareast-language:PT'>National Museum of Natural History and Science<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:PT'>Rua da Escola Politécnica, 56-58<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:PT'>1250-102 Lisboa<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='mso-fareast-language:PT'>Portugal</span><span style='mso-fareast-language:PT'> <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><span style='color:#1D1B11;mso-fareast-language:PT'><o:p> </o:p></span></p><p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p></div></body></html>