Help - molding collection in the tropics

[Stanley A. Gorodenski]

It seems like PDB is a workable suggestion. I use PDB in my relaxer to
keep the mold down. I also use it in my collection to kill dermestids,
but of course, being in Arizona one does not have to worry about mold
much.

Richard Worth wrote:
> 
> John,
> Short of adding a room air conditioner, I would think the best bet would be a combination of desiccant, PDB and weather strip. Or some one might donate a few airtight Bioquip-type drawers with really tight lids and maybe a silicone seal around the glass for extra security. The glass lids would still be display-able (a word??). I would put any infested collection in a freezer first to kill whatever possible before putting into new, clean boxes (yeah, I know...freezer?..in the tropics??) But then use the PDB and dessicant anyway.
> Best of luck, Rich
> 
>      I was just at a field station in Belize which has a nice "butterfly display" with data in their classroom (~200 specimens). But it has two major problems that will ultimately destroy it - so I'm looking for ideas about how to at least prolong its life by several years.
> 
>      It is housed in a less than air-tight display case with a hinged glass lid - it probably has about the same surface area as 5 Cornell drawers.
> 
>      Problem one - psocids are eating it alive - I though I would just send a couple of no-pest strips and that should wipe out the extra insects.. no? I also though I would send some adhesive weather stripping down, so that maybe they could get a seal in place.
> 
>      Problem two - mold. Because of the humidity (the station is in a small clearing in premontane rainforest), mold is hitting the collection pretty hard. Two things come to mind. I could send some desiccant, but they would have to constantly change and dry it out (this is a really damp place). And, if could send something that would at least kill the current batch of mold, that would help a lot - but I have no idea what that something might be.
> 
>      Any ideas or alternate solutions???
> 
>      Champion of lost causes,
>      John
>      _________________
>      John Shuey
>      Director of Conservation Science
>      Indiana Office of The Nature Conservancy
> 
> Richard A. Worth
> Oregon Department of Agriculture
> Plant Division
> rworth at oda.state.or.us
> (503) 986-6461

 
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