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Post by paratoxodera on Aug 21, 2011 2:49:52 GMT -8
Is this possible? I don't have much space in my home and will need to keep my collection inside. I don't want to use mothballs as the vapors are harmful. How do you guys do it?
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Post by jamesd on Aug 21, 2011 3:00:03 GMT -8
I haven't used it yet, but this summer I'm using naphthalene as a moth-ball substitute. I suspect that it's vapours are also harmful, so you might not like it. Although it does smell nice, like detergent - unlike moth balls.
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Post by simosg on Aug 21, 2011 3:38:38 GMT -8
Dust-close cabinets, not only for the collection, also for the papered material. Every new specimen gets under quarantine in the freezer for some days. No problems with this method for years. Just for the specimens at the spreading board I have no solution until now. It happened to me, that dermestids have eaten large holes in the wings on specimens on the board.
Hannes
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2011 6:54:00 GMT -8
Some interesting thoughts and ideas have been discussed on this topic before---look in the Old Forum Archives Pre-2011. I understand both PDB (moth balls/crystals) and naphthaline are indeed harmful. What I use is Vapona (Shell No-Pest Strip) pieces cut into a square cm size per drawer on a pin. After a period of time when I know all possible dermestids are dead, I return to using Cedar Oil as a repellent. It does not kill like Vapona does, so one must be sure that none are in the drawer. I'll use nothing but Cedar Oil for a few years, then zap all 200+ drawers with Vapona for a 6-9 mo period. Others may not agree, but that is what has worked for me. If using material that is harmless to humans appeals to you, check out Cedar Oil in the archives or go to www.garthesinsectgradebook.20megsfree.com/custom3.htmlInterestingly, using my drying rack has greatly helped to get rid of any dermestids that might be in papered material. I have had them leave the freshly mounted specimen and be there on the board where I can deal with them. One can also heat up papered material as well as freezing. Just don't over-do it. Good luck and let us know what you end up doing.
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Post by lordpandarus on Aug 21, 2011 8:52:48 GMT -8
It's hard to find a fail proof method
I lose 1 or 2 specimen per year to parasites. Either larger dermestids that make a hole in a wing, or tiny worm like parasites that look like dust specs
Freezing seems to mostly work but I've seen dermestids survive the process Vapona can stain the wings in some cases
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Post by Deleted on Aug 21, 2011 9:24:53 GMT -8
I have never had wing staining from Vapona. I don't let the Vapona touch the wings at all. I imagine if direct contact took place, staining might occur. Just my thoughts.
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Post by Chris Grinter on Aug 21, 2011 21:45:18 GMT -8
I was under the impression that Vapona was the worst of all three?
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Post by bobw on Aug 21, 2011 22:29:07 GMT -8
We're not allowed to know here in Europe; PDB, Naphthelene and Vapona have all been banned by the EU for several years. Presumably this means we must all let our collections turn to dust. I always freeze new specimens but it's not practical to periodically freeze a large collection as most drwers will not fit into most freezers.
I still have a small supply of PDB and occsionally manage to supplement it with small amounts I get from the States, but I've still lost quite a few specimens to Dermestids. I've found that PDB is the only thing that's totally effective. Naphthelene and Vapona are partially effective but don't seem to kill everything and Vapona is a pain to handle.
Bob
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Post by jackblack on Aug 22, 2011 3:13:15 GMT -8
As far as I see in oz moth balls and Napnthalene are the same thing . Who has smelt moth balls ?
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Post by downundermoths on Aug 22, 2011 3:46:23 GMT -8
You're right there, Jack...They are one and the same... Naphthalene is readily available in 500gm packets in our local supermarkets. PDB has only been taken off the shelfs recently, but can still be obtained, if really needed, because it is used as the blocks in mens public urinals... I have been using both for many decades and I haven't succumbed to liver failure or cancer...yet Barry
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Post by dertodesking on Aug 22, 2011 12:45:32 GMT -8
You're right there, Jack...They are one and the same... Naphthalene is readily available in 500gm packets in our local supermarkets. PDB has only been taken off the shelfs recently, but can still be obtained, if really needed, because it is used as the blocks in mens public urinals... I have been using both for many decades and I haven't succumbed to liver failure or cancer...yet Barry LOL Baz...you'd get a few strange looks if anyone caught you removing the PDB blocks from the urinals!!! By the way I've found that products advertised as "mothballs" seem to be made of EITHER Napthalene OR Paradichlorbenzene. I've bought mothballs from various eBay sellers over the years and on receiving the boxes some have been Napthalene and some have been PDB. I guess it depends on the brand... I'll be sticking with both as I quite like the smell ( ;D) but have to admit that with really tightly fitting drawer lids not a lot escapes. Simon
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Post by downundermoths on Aug 22, 2011 14:01:52 GMT -8
I didn't see that coming, Simon... I was thinking of the supply source, not pre-peed-on blocks... LOL
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Aug 22, 2011 17:10:15 GMT -8
Jack Black:
Have you ever smelled moths balls?
Just yes or no...................
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Post by lordpandarus on Aug 22, 2011 20:07:39 GMT -8
I have never had wing staining from Vapona. I don't let the Vapona touch the wings at all. I imagine if direct contact took place, staining might occur. Just my thoughts. Well I was talking about my Riker mount displays. If I place a strip under the filling, it's close enough to stain the specimen over it. I have an example and I'll take a pic when I can
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Post by jackblack on Aug 23, 2011 2:59:13 GMT -8
Its an old joke , sorry to be so crude , but if you smelt moth balls I must ask how did you get your head between their legs I agree with Simon if you were chasing the blocks out of urinals you would get soggy fingers , I recently saw a notice on the wall at a caravan park in Nth Queensland , do not drop your cigarette butts in the urinal it makes it too hard to light them later. One more thing re Napthalene , I heard some old ento`s have withdrawal symtoms if they don`t open their store boxes regularly and have a hit of Napth , has anyone heard of this before ? Keep those draws closed!I
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