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Post by rwhitman on Mar 30, 2021 12:38:40 GMT -8
I just got through mounting about 80 new butterflies over a period of a month and thus had them out drying exposed in my hobby room. I started noticing carpet beetles in my window sill. I fear that they have been laying eggs on my specimens and I am about to experience a destructive infestation. What is the best way to solve this problem? There are about 20 display cases involved including 8 - 18x24" ones.
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Post by kevinkk on Mar 30, 2021 12:58:17 GMT -8
Many people will use a freezer for a few days to kill pests. Others will use Paradichlorobenzene, commonly called Napthelene or "moth balls", there
is another deterrent that is used, Dichlorvos if you don't have access to Napthelene.
I use Napthelene, I can buy it at the store, it needs periodic replenishment, but in a tight fitting case, the effect is long lasting.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Mar 30, 2021 13:00:11 GMT -8
Freeze all the specimens in a sealed box, or put the display cases in plastic bin bags which are tied closed (squeeze out the air before tying) for a week, take them out for 8 -10 days without opening the seal (bag or box) and then put them back in the freezer for another week. Repeat with all your boxes which you suspect may have been infested. After the 2nd freeze stand the box at room temperature for 24 hours before opening the seal to prevent condensation.
The reason 2 cycles of freezing are used is because adults and larvae will die when frozen, but eggs will not. When the box is removed from the freezer the egs will hatch within 7 days, and the 2nd freeze will then kill them.
Adam.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Mar 30, 2021 13:07:27 GMT -8
Many people will use a freezer for a few days to kill pests. Others will use Paradichlorobenzene, commonly called Napthelene or "moth balls", there is another deterrent that is used, Dichlorvos if you don't have access to Napthelene. I use Napthelene, I can buy it at the store, it needs periodic replenishment, but in a tight fitting case, the effect is long lasting. Naphthalene and Paradichlorobenzene will not kill the beetles already in the boxes, but will deter them from entering in the first place. However I think both of these are banned in the UK. Dichlorvos is generally sold as Vapona or No Pest Strip and WILL kill pests inside the boxes, however you must use extreme caution in handling the product as it is absorbed through the skin. The way to use it is open the strip and cut it into small chunks about 1x1 cm and then put one piece in each box. If the box is not opened it will last for several years. You MUST use rubber gloves when cutting the strips and will need very strong scissors (I use a gardening trimmer) to cut the strips. If you cut up a strip but don't use all the chunks you can save the rest in an airtight bottle. Adam. |
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Post by Paul K on Mar 30, 2021 13:37:06 GMT -8
I think Paradichlorobenzene will kill the pest. It did while I had infestation of Psocids in Thailand.
Naphthaline is not effective to kill.
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Post by Adam Cotton on Mar 31, 2021 0:31:22 GMT -8
Yes, mostly PDB will kill pests (not their eggs until they hatch) but not always. It is a good idea to spray the room which your collection is housed in with permethrin insecticide every few weeks. This will kill any pests that come into the room before they can infest the collection. Permethrin is the ingredient in supermarket insect spray cans and is harmless for people.
Adam.
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Post by wollastoni on Mar 31, 2021 3:24:21 GMT -8
I would not recommend to use Dichlorvos, no-pest strips and PDB : if it KILLS dermestidae, it will slowly kill you too. We have lost a lot of entomologist friends due to cancer and such products are known as carcinogenic and they are banned in many countries (European Union and so on). I do the following : - freeze every new entry to the collection during 2 days - Zensect balls (which are allowed in EU) so they should not be too harmful for health. - I buy some good quality drawers (they are hermetic) I never had any issue. I am even thinking of installing an "air renewing system" to my collection room where I spend most of my time to decrease the cancer risk. Some may think I am crazy... but I have lost too many friends now... Olivier |
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Post by exoticimports on Mar 31, 2021 5:27:41 GMT -8
Hello friends. First, note that this topic has been discussed (argued?) roughly every six months, so a SEARCH will shed valuable insights. And onward... It is my experience that PDB will kill all dermestids, Naphthalene will not. I have heard PDB is unhealthy for humans, though not researched it. About Dichlorvos, see: 1993 statement on Dichlorvos from US National Park Service about use in museums. Is there a later update? www.nps.gov/museum/publications/conserveogram/02-04.pdf2018 MSDS from manufacturer: www.caymanchem.com/msdss/23727m.pdfBoth recognize that it has health concerns, though neither indicate it to be particularly dangerous. Unless anyone has more updated reports? Chuck |
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Post by Adam Cotton on Mar 31, 2021 11:58:19 GMT -8
PDB is a liver carcinogen, and contact should be avoided wherever possible.
Dichlorvos can also be a carcinogen, but as far as I know it's not dangerous in low concentration in the air of a room. The no pest strip is designed to be used in a room such as a kitchen or living room. However, it may be dangerous when absorbed through the skin due to direct contact with the resin strip when cutting it up ... hence my recommendation always to wear rubber gloves when handling the strips. I also read that the liquid that exudes from an old strip is more poisonous than fresh dichlorvos, so don't touch old pieces with bare fingers either.
Adam.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Mar 31, 2021 17:20:31 GMT -8
I have a Dehumidifier in my collection room. I set it at zero (0) and I let it run 24-7-365. And the vast majority of my collection is in metal cabinet that are Air right and light tight. My collection is 45+ years old. There is no going back and starting over.
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Post by livingplanet3 on Mar 31, 2021 17:23:47 GMT -8
I wasn't aware that dichlorvos was still being produced - I thought it had been discontinued, but apparently this is not so everywhere.
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leptraps
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Post by leptraps on Mar 31, 2021 17:29:51 GMT -8
From what I read way back when, it is still in use in third world counties.
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Post by livingplanet3 on Mar 31, 2021 17:46:12 GMT -8
Just checked - no-pest strips are indeed still being made, and are still available in the US. I've never used them (or any other poison / fumigant), as I've always found that the only truly reliable means of protecting specimens is to seal them up essentially air-tight, to completely prevent the entry of pests.
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Post by jellybean on Mar 31, 2021 19:26:17 GMT -8
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Post by exoticimports on Apr 1, 2021 16:33:29 GMT -8
Home Depot sells it in stores too.
I keep the aircon going in the house during summer to keep the humidity down. I freeze inside on gorgeous days for a bunch of dead bugs.
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