Connecting to Collections Care

Our institution has recently discovered a carpet beetle infestation throughout our galleries (IPM was not being done for museum pests until recently, unfortunately). Due to a forthcoming exhibit renovation, all objects which have been on permanent display for 30+ years need to come off of exhibit and be re-integrated into the collection. We have several larger objects, such as a wooden desk, a large area rug, etc. which ideally need to be de-infested before going through quarantine and cleaning and re-integration. We have some ideas for how to handle smaller objects which can fit in bags for de-infestation, but we've drawn a blank for our larger items. Does anyone have experience or advice about how to de-infest larger objects, without using an anoxic chamber? We're still in the brainstorming phase, so whatever ideas you have are welcome!

Our institution has recently discovered a carpet beetle infestation throughout our galleries (IPM was not being done for museum pests until recently, unfortunately). Due to a forthcoming exhibit renovation, all objects which have been on permanent display for 30+ years need to come off of exhibit and be re-integrated into the collection. We have several larger objects, such as a wooden desk, a large area rug, etc. which ideally need to be de-infested before going through quarantine and cleaning and re-integration. We have some ideas for how to handle smaller objects which can fit in bags for de-infestation, but we've drawn a blank for our larger items. Does anyone have experience or advice about how to de-infest larger objects, without using an anoxic chamber? We're still in the brainstorming phase, so whatever ideas you have are welcome!

There is a Portuguese company called EXPM that will come do large scale anoxia for you with clear custom bubbles, either with nitrogen tanks or a nitrogen generator. They also sell kits for this that come with training. Size is not an issue, even boats and cars can be enclosed in their bubbles, which are more sturdy than marvelseal. Good luck with your project! https://www.expm.com.pt/expm-anoxia-bubble-kit

Our institution has recently discovered a carpet beetle infestation throughout our galleries (IPM was not being done for museum pests until recently, unfortunately). Due to a forthcoming exhibit renovation, all objects which have been on permanent display for 30+ years need to come off of exhibit and be re-integrated into the collection. We have several larger objects, such as a wooden desk, a large area rug, etc. which ideally need to be de-infested before going through quarantine and cleaning and re-integration. We have some ideas for how to handle smaller objects which can fit in bags for de-infestation, but we've drawn a blank for our larger items. Does anyone have experience or advice about how to de-infest larger objects, without using an anoxic chamber? We're still in the brainstorming phase, so whatever ideas you have are welcome!

Our institution has recently discovered a carpet beetle infestation throughout our galleries (IPM was not being done for museum pests until recently, unfortunately). Due to a forthcoming exhibit renovation, all objects which have been on permanent display for 30+ years need to come off of exhibit and be re-integrated into the collection. We have several larger objects, such as a wooden desk, a large area rug, etc. which ideally need to be de-infested before going through quarantine and cleaning and re-integration. We have some ideas for how to handle smaller objects which can fit in bags for de-infestation, but we've drawn a blank for our larger items. Does anyone have experience or advice about how to de-infest larger objects, without using an anoxic chamber? We're still in the brainstorming phase, so whatever ideas you have are welcome!