Insect infestation in gourds

It's been mentioned before, but always worth repeating, that there
are several effective alternatives to toxic fumigants for insect
control on small to reasonably large objects. While any treatment
can be dangerous if not applied properly, here are four of the more
common techniques that are reasonably safe for object and operator
(for sake of brevity I've omitted significant detail):

Freezing:  Temperature of -20 degrees C for several days, followed
by a return to room temperature for several more days, followed by a
second freezing treatment.  The freezer must be efficient enough to
lower the temperature rapidly, and not be a frost-free type where
temperatures cycle. Care must be taken to protect the object from
condensation or desiccation.

Heat: Temperature of 40 degrees C or greater for several hours.  An
effective technique that is underutilized out of of concerns for
object safety.  Recent studies by Tom Strang, CCI, give some
reassurance.  Strang successfully treated a textile under black
polyethylene using Canadian sunlight.

Anoxia:  An atmosphere of less than 0.5% oxygen for 5-10 days,
avoiding conditions that are too cool or too humid.  This atmosphere
may be achieved in a vapor barrier bag by constant flushing with
nitrogen or other inert gas, and/or by using oxygen scavenger
packets (Ageless(r)).  Conditions, while tricky to maintain, can be
monitored with a cheap color indicator tablet called an Ageless
Eye(r).

CO2:  An atmosphere of 60-70% carbon dioxide for 4-5 weeks, avoiding
conditions that are too cool or too humid.  More easily maintainable
concentration than anoxia, but much longer treatment duration, and
more expensive monitoring device required.  CO2 can be hazardous in
confined spaces and it is considered a registered fumigant in
California.

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 11:24
               Distributed: Thursday, September 11, 1997
                       Message Id: cdl-11-24-004
                                  ***