Re: pest infestation

["Mary W. Ballard" <BallardM@xxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Karin von Lerber-- Can you find out from the owner whether the problem is dermestid or moth? Can he describe to you the insect "worm" or can you show him photographs & drawings to help him identify his problem?
It is after workhours here now too but I found an entomologist who collects rugs & is still at her desk. She says that you are right, the insects are likely to go into a diapause (resting stage) because of the cold. She also says that they are likely to come out upon being reheated to room temperature. How long you must wait will depend upon the type of insect, as well as the temperature inside the plastic (the ambient rug temperature). She does not like the idea of the rug in plastic in your studio, but I said you had taped it (sealed it thoroughly). 
Let me know what you find out from the owner & I shall tell you what the entolomologists say. It's an interesting question! Mary Ballard

>>> karin.vonlerber@xxxxxxxxxx 01/05/01 03:59PM >>>
I am afraid, that the question I asked was not completely understood: I know of all the different possibilities of eradication, the litarature etc. But my questions is as follows:
As my client has been keeping the rug for at least two days in the cold now, the insects most probably have started hibernating. The client wishes - for several reasons - a shock-freeze treatment to be done. For how long do I have to re-acclimatize the larvae to room temperature so as to wake all of them up? If they are frozen in the dormant state they are in now, I understand from literature, they will probably survive even -40°C (the temperature I am able to reach with the equipment at hand).
Does anyone have an answer to this question? 

Thanks, Karin von Lerber


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Prevart GmbH
Konzepte für die Kulturgütererhaltung
Oberseenerstr. 93
CH-8405 Winterthur
Tel. *41 (0)52-233 12 54
Fax *41 (0)52-233 12 57
e-mail: karin.vonlerber@xxxxxxxxxx 
Website: www.prevart.ch