Pest prevention Museum integrated pest management

1 pest prevention

1.1 routes of entry
1.2 storage condition
1.3 water sources
1.4 lights
1.5 housekeeping
1.6 temperature , humidity
1.7 screens, caulking, , filters
1.8 food sources

pest prevention

there number of steps museum can put in place prevent pests within buildings. important inspect item coming in storage area such new accessions or loans. museums should maintain housekeeping , restrict food in museum prevent pests in first place. important museum keep environments in exhibition galleries , collection storage areas stable low, controlled humidity , temperature.

a museum may install sweeps , gaskets on exterior doors, screens on drains , windows, while caulking cracks in building. museums can make facilities less attractive pest removing plants growing near building, cleaning gutters, using sodium vapor lighting, minimizing dust, vacuuming floors, , eliminating clutter.

routes of entry

pest find way building, important determine how pests entering building. location of building should taken account every building has own ecosystem based on location , other historic factors . important secure exterior of building. not matter how many pests trap , kill; if there way more enter building never remove pests building. of cracks , holes in foundation should sealed , repaired. exterior trash receptacles should placed away building, , plants should @ least foot away building. having grass growing against building gives insects way building , place hide , tunnel under foundation.

windows

all windows should tightly sealed. weatherstripping can placed around windows insure window tightly sealed.

doors

all doors should checked , confirmed firmly on hinges , brush sweepers installed. brush sweepers highly effective against pests, rodents. having sticky traps placed around sides of doors may prevent pests , monitor types of pests can entering museum.

storage condition

collection storage areas @ risk pests can darker, tight spaces go undisturbed long periods of time. if these tight spaces left undisturbed , unmonitored months or years @ time, provide atmosphere pests nest in high quantities. collection areas should cleaned @ least twice year regular inspections once month.

water sources

insects , other pests attracted water , damp areas. common sources of water within building water pipes can found running throughout building restrooms, kitchens, water fountains, custodial closets, , climate control equipment. water can found standing on roof or in basement. if there unused pipes or drains, should screened or sealed off not house unwanted guests.

lights

it important reduce attractiveness of building pests, , 1 of ways can achieved through lighting. museum should use light shields, curtains, , keep windows closed minimize attractiveness of entering building. “lighting affixed building should made sodium vapor , not mercury” , should have yellowish tint. sodium vapor repels insects, , installing these lights outside of building can reduce pests.

housekeeping

one of important compotes of preventing pests having housekeeping skills. building should regularly vacuumed, mopped, , dusted, , food debris should removed. when museum vacuumed, edge tool around furniture , baseboards should used pests tend hide in these locations. collection storage area should kept clean , free of clutter. every 6 months entire collection storage area should cleaned, , every month visual inspection should conducted throughout space.

temperature , humidity

pests can controlled , growth slowed when humidity , temperature controlled. humidity should kept below maximum of 50%. in cases pest infestation can directly related humidity , temperature within building. optimum temperature should around 68 °f.

screens, caulking, , filters

museum can use screens, filters, , caulking prevent entry of pests. screens should placed on windows , drains. filters should used on of air vents , replaced on regular basis. caulk can used seal cracks , holes in walls, floors, , round pipes.

food sources

pests can find many sources of food within museum; “pests wild creatures opportunistic , if material available resembles preferred natural food or nesting, readily adapt , possibly thrive. food sources can range human food, plants , trash. human food should consumed in restricted area , have food put away after use. plants can come in many forms, including potted plants, cut flowers, , dying plants. trash should collected , removed building daily.