Re: [ARSCLIST] Pest Control

["Marie O'Connell" <azile50@xxxxxxxxx>]

Thanks George. We're fairly sure that silverfish entering the collection
have not been attracted by humidity as we have had consistent humidity and
temperature control for many years.

We are setting up a quarantine area and procedure to eliminate pests
entering with new accessions. However,  it appears that some have already
setup house in the archive.

Given the choice between silverfish and archives we think the silverfish
will find plenty of food elsewhere. Due to the lack of evidence of a large
population (less that 6 sightings in 10 years) we won't be rushing to apply
anything until we have done more research and setup more preventative
measures.

We will follow up on your comment re: Piperonyl Butoxide and Naptha, and
explore alternative means of application.

Marie

On Fri, May 22, 2009 at 11:06 AM, George Brock-Nannestad <pattac@xxxxxxxx>wrote:

> From: Patent Tactics, George Brock-Nannestad
>
> Dear Marie (O'Connell),
>
> > *What experience do people have with pest control with particular regard
> > to
> > audio collections and silverfish?*
>
> ----- my experience is that silverfish require humidity--your storage area
> may be too humid or drawing humidity by capillary action. They digest
> starch,
> and I know from experience that they may eat parts of labels on 78s, giving
> them a unique relief, because the printing has protected the paper. Glossy
> paper sized with plenty of starch becomes very rough.
>
> Permethrin is an artificial pyrethrum, and it is very effective. It is
> usuallly available in powder form and in an acqueous solution. I do not
> like
> the look of your gas, because it has the quite unnecessary ingredient
> piperonyl butoxide that has probably been added to increase the useful
> life.
> But it requires a solvent, hence the huge amount of naphta. Permethrin does
> break down by oxidation and in light, and the treatment may need being
> redone, if the humidity problem has not been solved. However, only real
> fish,
> crabs, shrimp--and insects are harmed by it.
>
> Many years ago I asked our pest control authority about silverfish, and
> they
> said that they were among the oldest organisms on Earth, and that it would
> really be a pity to eradicate them. So, it is your moral choice: to
> preserve
> silverfish (give them the right humidity) or audio.
>
> Kind regards,
>
>
> George
>
> >
> > **
> >
> > *At this stage we think that the population is relatively small, but are
> > looking into ways to prevent its further spread and cautiously
> considering
> > some sort of treatment or fumigation. Our main concern is that any
> > chemical
> > treatment be safe for all media types and safe for staff.*
> >
> > **
> >
> > *Generally speaking, what treatments and information have you found
> > useful?*
> >
> > *We have discussed an insecticide called PERMIGAS, Does any one know
> about
> > this?*
> >
> > **
> > *PERMIGAS Ingredient Formula Conc. CAS No.*
> > *CARBON DIOXIDE CO2 90% 124-38-9*
> > *SOLVENT NAPHTHA, LIGHT ALIPHATIC 9% 64742-89-7*
> > *PIPERONYL BUTOXIDE C19-H30-O5 0.5% 51-03-6*
> > *PYRETHRIN II 0.1% 121-29-9*
> > *PERMETHRIN C21-H20-Cl2-O3 0.4% 52645-53-1*
> > **
> > *Thanks in advance.*
> > **
> > *Marie*
>