[Nhcoll-l] [EXTERN] Dermestid treatment (Australian Carpet beetle - Anthrenocerus australis)

[Dirk Neumann]

Hi all,

thanks a lot to all that responded (offline).

Searching in parallel, I came across this very interesting publication: Buggy Biz - Integrated Pest Management in Collections, which seems to be a extremely valuable resource:
https://lib.hku.hk/hkpages/wp-content/uploads/2015/12/buggy-biz.pdf

Carpet beetles (among other critters) are covered in annex with short fact sheets, including biology, live cycle temperature optimum and proposed treatment. The optimum for carpet beetle seems to be 15-35°C, proposed control is H, Fr, PH3, CO2 and N2; H and FR being Heat and Freezing, PH3 Phosphine (which we would like to avoid for obvious reasons).

In annex 6 (selection of most appropriate control methods) it says:

"Heat is also the most efficient method for biters (type 2). Most biters are less tolerant of cold than borers. Toxic fumigation is effective and fairly fast but because treatment must be carried out in a fumigation chamber, in practice, freezing is faster and more efficient. Low oxygen or high carbon dioxide concentrations provide good results but these methods are more time consuming. Following the experience of the grain pests, in this case low oxygen is probably somewhat more effective than carbon dioxide. Consequently the order of efficiency for biters (type 2) is as follows: heat - freezing - phosphine - low oxygen – carbon dioxide."

It seems some have tried freezing, but there are no experiences with heat.

Thanks a lot for your feedback so far - more input is most welcome, especially on potential detrimental effects of heat treatment (42-52°C) on hides and skins and potential damage caused by fats.

With best wishes
Dirk



Am 14.06.2026 um 22:26 schrieb Dirk Neumann:

Hi all,

are there any sources on heat treatment of Australian Carpet beetles? Is there any information which heat is lethal for the larvae (and adults)? We discovered some in one or our (already) heavily contaminated hide and skin room (arsenic, DDT, lindane) - and they do not seem to care too much about them.

We should treat all materials in the room (which is too much to be moved to our nitrogen facility for treatment), thus we are considering in-situ thermal treatment. However, there are issues with the not semi-tanned skins and remaining fats, if the temperatures of the heat treatment are above 50°C.

Any thoughts? There is a lot information on Australian Carpet Beetles online, but none on heat treatment.

Thanks in advance

Dirk

--
****

Dirk Neumann
Collection Manager, Hamburg

Postal address:
Museum of Nature Hamburg
Leibniz Institute for the Analysis
of Biodiversity Change
Dirk Neumann
Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3
20146 Hamburg
+49 40 238 317 – 628
d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de<mailto:d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de>
www.leibniz-lib.de<imap://dneumann@webmail.leibniz-lib.de:993/fetch%3EUID%3E/INBOX/Privat/www.leibniz-lib.de>

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Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael Wappelhorst

--
Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael H. Wappelhorst



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--
****

Dirk Neumann
Collection Manager, Hamburg

Postal address:
Museum of Nature Hamburg
Leibniz Institute for the Analysis
of Biodiversity Change
Dirk Neumann
Martin-Luther-King-Platz 3
20146 Hamburg
+49 40 238 317 – 628
d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de<mailto:d.neumann at leibniz-lib.de>
www.leibniz-lib.de<imap://dneumann@webmail.leibniz-lib.de:993/fetch%3EUID%3E/INBOX/Privat/www.leibniz-lib.de>

--
Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael Wappelhorst

--
Stiftung Leibniz-Institut zur Analyse des Biodiversitätswandels
Postanschrift: Adenauerallee 127, 53113 Bonn, Germany

Stiftung des öffentlichen Rechts;
Generaldirektion: Prof. Dr. Bernhard Misof (Generaldirektor), Adrian Grüter (Kaufm. Geschäftsführer)
Sitz der Stiftung: Adenauerallee 160 in Bonn
Vorsitzender des Stiftungsrates: Dr. Michael H. Wappelhorst
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