[NHCOLL-L:428] pest control around paintings

[Laura Bauer]

Dear Listers -
	We have a dermestid infestation in a diorama that contains a historic
background oil painting.  Does anybody have any advice regarding the type of
fumigants that are safe ( = non-damaging) around paintings?  Or those that
are NOT safe?  From my own research, it seems that any oil-based spray might
be bad, but are water-based sprays any better?
	Does anybody know of any studies/papers on how to deal with infested
dioramas?  Ours were built in the 1930's and we constantly have trouble with
keeping them pest-free.  It would be VERY difficult to remove larger
specimens for freezing/anoxia, and the halls are not sealed well enough to
make on-site tenting practical (without tenting the entire museum).  Any
advice would be appreciated.

Laura Bauer   lbauer at sbnature2.org
Assistant Curator of Exhibits
Santa Barbara Museum of Natural History
(805) 682-4711 x324