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  • 1.  Small Scale In-House Anoxia Treatment Recommendations

    Posted 2 days ago

    Good morning,

    My organization operates a historic house and we have cyclical issues with carpet beetles. We have removed a number of objects from the house but need to treat for carpet beetles before they go into long term storage.

    Most of the objects we have been able to freeze and then our Collections Assistant has cleaned them, removing any bug carcasses, casings, and frass. However, we have a number of objects that are of a) unknown material with an unknown reaction to freezing or b) in such fragile states that freezing seems like a bad idea.

    Looking at other potential treatments for these items, we were investigating anoxic treatments that could be done in house--oxygen scrubbers and and a sealed container/bag. This of course has brought up a number of other issues as we do not currently have any of the tools needed for this on-site. As we're starting from scratch, I wanted to get some recommendations on what to use and where we can source what we need.

    Talas sells the Hanwell Anoxibug Bag, which seems like it would suit our purposes, but I wanted to get recommendations. Has anyone used this product? Does it perform as promised? What are alternatives?

    Talas also has Mitsubishi Oxygen Absorbers RP-A and RP-K and the Ageless Eye oxygen detectors. I have not been able to locate the Ageless oxygen scrubber for sale, though I find plenty of literature mentioning it. Are there vendors that still sell Ageless oxygen scrubbers, or are RP-A and RP-K the appropriate successors?

    For oxygen monitoring to ensure that we are getting to a low O2 environment, I have heard that the Ageless Eye is unreliable. A number of places recommended Hanwell's ZerO2 oxygen monitor. Is that a good option? If so, where can it be purchased from? What are other options for monitoring oxygen levels to ensure an anoxic environment is created and maintained for the duration needed for treatment?

    I will add two final notes: 1) Any recommendations with how to proceed with treating these items for carpet beetle infestation (no live beetles spotted) would be appreciated and 2) please limit any vendor recommendations to vendors based in the USA.

    Thanks in advance,

    Anna



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    Anna Goss
    Director of Collections & Exhibitions
    Stark Museum of Art & The W.H. Stark House
    Orange, Texas
    United States
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  • 2.  RE: Small Scale In-House Anoxia Treatment Recommendations

    Posted 2 days ago

    Hi Anna, thanks for bringing this question to C2CC. I will do my best to support your inquiry. I will say that since your remaining objects are fragile or of uncertain material-and you're not observing live beetles-anoxic treatment is entirely appropriate, in my opinion. It is non‑chemical, gentle, and suitable for most historic materials when correctly monitored.

    My go to resource for all things pest management -related is museumpests.net! If you check out this page specifically (https://museumpests.net/solutions-oxygen-scavenger-treatment/) it outlines the materials required for anoxic treatment for pest management and suggestions for where to source the required materials/products. On that webpage you will also find general procedures for setting up and monitoring an anoxic enclosure, which I will include below:

    General procedures (museumpests.net)
    1. Construct an enclosure using a low-permeability barrier film such as Marvelseal 360, Aclar, Film-Pak, or Escal or Anoxibug System pre-made enclosures.  All seams should be heat sealed and checked for leakage.  The enclosure should be made large enough to accommodate a 20% reduction in volume of the enclosed air without damaging the object being treated.  Care should be taken not to make the enclosure too large, as this may cause an undesired increase in the equilibrium moisture content of the enclosed object during treatment.
    2. Place the object within the barrier film enclosure along with enough oxygen scavenger (Ageless or RP or Anoxibug System scavenger (based on oxidation of iron particles)  It is common practice to double or even triple the calculated amount of oxygen scavenger required to ensure effective treatment.  Some practitioners recommend loosely wrapping the object to be treated in either washed muslin or acid-free unbuffered tissue. Some heat is generated as the oxygen scavenger reacts with oxygen, depending on the rate of the reaction. Care must be taken to spread the packets out and not to place them directly on or next to collections items.
    3. Carefully pull air out of the enclosure with a vacuum. Seal the final seam of the enclosure.  Check the enclosure periodically for shrinkage during the first few days of treatment.  If the enclosure has been constructed and sealed properly, a 20% reduction in the volume of the enclosed air mass should be observable by the third to fifth day.  Keep the enclosure sealed for 21 days or according to manufacturer directions.  After 21 days the enclosure may be opened, and the object can be removed.

    I do not have personal experience working with Anoxibug or Ageless Eye/Hanwell's ZerO2 oxygen monitors, so perhaps someone else from the community may be able to contribute. In the meantime, I will reach out to some colleagues for feedback regarding those products.

    I hope this helps!

    Kind regards,

    Victoria



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    Victoria Kablys-Nielsen (she/her/hers)
    Connecting to Collections Care Monitor

    Conservator
    Royal Saskatchewan Museum
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    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Small Scale In-House Anoxia Treatment Recommendations

    Posted 2 days ago

    Dear Anna,

    I'm a bit new to these issues but perhaps some of this research might be of use. 

    With care,

    Peg

    1. Cleaning to remove the remaining bugs: From Rutgers, https://njaes.rutgers.edu/fs1181/

    Dry Cleaning and Hot Laundering

    Garments can be dry cleaned or hot laundered to kill all fabric pests.

    2. Anoxic Control: From the Smithsonian, https://repository.si.edu/server/api/core/bitstreams/08918fff-facd-438e-8b4b-36e7fe3c989e/content

    3. Where the buggers are hiding: From University of Kentucky - since you mentioned they are reoccurring : https://entomology.mgcafe.uky.edu/ef601

     Controlling Infestations. To eliminate carpet beetles, you must locate all infested items. The primary source may be a seldom-used wool or fur hat or scarf on a shelf in a closet; an antique rug stored in the basement; or the remains of a bird or squirrel nest up in the attic. Carpet beetles prefer to dwell in dark, undisturbed areas where susceptible items are stored for long periods. When inspecting clothing, pay attention to seams, folds, and creases (e.g. cuffs and collars) where larvae often prefer to feed. Larvae also tend to infest the lower edges of rugs and carpeting. Use needle-nose pliers to lift the outer edge of wall-to-wall carpet from the tack strip along baseboards. Other possible locations include under/within upholstered furniture, or inside floor vents and ducts with accumulations of pet hair and lint. As noted earlier, infestations may also stem from bird nests, animal carcasses, or accumulations of dead insects such as flies or lady beetles in attics or elsewhere. Plant-based materials (cereal, pet food, bird seed, etc.) stored in kitchens and basements, or cached by rodents, are other possible sources of carpet beetles.   



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    Peggy Cwiakala, MLIS
    Student, USC Museum Management Program
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    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Small Scale In-House Anoxia Treatment Recommendations

    Posted 15 hours ago
      |   view attached
    I can offer this article i have in my files that may help:  

    Craig Deller
    Cultural Heritage Conservator
    Fellow-AIC / IIC 

       




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