Powderpost beetles

Heather Dumka <hdumka [at] glenbow__org> writes

>We would like to hear from anyone who has had recent experience
>dealing with powderpost beetles in their collection.

A major pest eradication project was implemented recently at the
Royal Ontario Museum to combat an advanced infestation of webbing
clothes moths in Ethnology storage housing 43,000 artifacts. In the
course of the project, which involved examination, packing and
treatment of all artifacts (primarily by cycled freezing), evidence
of active wood-boring beetles was discovered in several African
objects and boat models from the Philippines. These objects, along
with all wooden artifacts in proximity, were treated by fumigation
with Phostoxin in the museum fumigation chamber. The objects known
to be infested were treated with a second fumigation several weeks
later to ensure complete fatalities. Objects were enclosed in
polyethylene during transit and for a post treatment duration, with
recommendations for close monitoring. As you mention, phosphine is
known to react with copper metals. Where fumigation was necessary, a
coating of 3% benzotriazole in EtOH was applied to copper-containing
components of wooden artifacts as a protective measure. Some
cracking and drying of bamboo and some basket materials have been
noticed as a possible consequence of the process. I would be glad to
discuss any processes further.

Elizabeth Griffin
Objects Conservator
Moth Project
Royal Ontario Museum
Toronto Canada

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                  Conservation DistList Instance 12:53
                Distributed: Thursday, December 17, 1998
                       Message Id: cdl-12-53-003
                                  ***