A working guide to help people recognise insect, rodent and bird pests and take practical steps to prevent and control damage to collections.

"... a practical, colour-illustrated, working handbook for the curator, conservator and all persons concerned with the management of collections. It is an essential guide to the recognition of insect, rodent and bird pests with advice on the practical steps required to prevent and control damage to collections. The latest information on the trapping and detection of pests is presented together with guidelines for pest recording. The author explains the advantages and disadvantages of physical and chemical control measures, including concerns about the use of pesticides and their effects on staff and the environment. In addition, he demonstrates that Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is not only a safer option, but also a more cost-effective solution to the complex problems of pest control. This book offers comprehensive guidance for the necessary action and treatment of any pest problem likely to be encountered in museums, galleries, libraries, archives and historic houses."--Back cover.

Insect infestations can severely damage museum collections and buildings. This Technical Bulletin is intended as a guide to help museum staff understand commercial pest control operations. It describes chemical methods of controlling insects, and includes information on regulations, modes of action, and application methods necessary for the safe use of insecticides. Insecticide safety and poisoning are also discussed, and the properties and side-effects of specific insecticides are outlined. Pest-by-pest recommendations guide the reader in deciding upon the appropriate chemical method of control.

A serious problem facing museum professionals is the protection of collections from damage due to insects. This book describes successful insect eradication procedures developed at the Getty Conservation Institute and elsewhere, whereby objects are held in an atmosphere of either nitrogen or argon containing less than 1000 ppm of oxygen—a process known as anoxia—or in an atmosphere of more than 60 percent carbon dioxide. Techniques, materials, and operating parameters are described in detail. The book also discusses adoption of this preservation technology, presenting the development of these methods and instructions for building and upgrading treatment systems, as well as recent case histories. The Research in Conservation reference series presents the findings of research conducted by the Getty Conservation Institute and its individual and institutional research partners, as well as state-of-the-art reviews of conservation literature. Each volume covers a topic of current interest to conservators and conservation scientists.