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*