Connecting to Collections Care

Hello,

I manage the collections at my museum and this year noticed that a historic wagon we have on exhibit in a covered but not enclosed space, has powder post beetle activity. I'm wondering what I can do to limit or reduce the damage since they are in several parts of the wagon. The front and side boards visible in the wide image show the most activity. 

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Adrianne Burklund
Collections Specialist
Billings Farm & Museum
Windsor VT
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Dear Mrs. Burklund,

It can be ideal to isolate the object and inspect if other objects are infected as well. 

The disinfection treatment on the wagon can be performed by a professional, since it seems to be quite extended and complex. 

As a future precaution can be a possibility to periodically check the object and the environment to be sure that there are no future infestation. 

I am available to connect to you a professional that adapts to your necessities and to the museum requirements. 

Best regards

Connection to collection care

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Arianna Buffagni
Conservator
Freelance/Private Practice/Self-employed/Independent
Quattro Castella
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2024 12:24
From: Adrianne Burklund
Subject: Ideas for how to handle powder post beetles?

Hello,

I manage the collections at my museum and this year noticed that a historic wagon we have on exhibit in a covered but not enclosed space, has powder post beetle activity. I'm wondering what I can do to limit or reduce the damage since they are in several parts of the wagon. The front and side boards visible in the wide image show the most activity. 

Activity was discovered when the wagon was vacuumed about a month ago. Any ideas would be appreciated.

------------------------------
Adrianne Burklund
Collections Specialist
Billings Farm & Museum
Windsor VT
------------------------------

Hi, Adrianne- I suggest you send this question to MuseumPests.net's PestList listserv.  You can sign up here: https://museumpests.net/join-the-pestlist/. They have members across the globe that include entomologists as well as museum professionals, the latter of which have almost certainly encountered similar issues and may be able to share what worked for them.  Best of luck!

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Marie Prentice
Collections Manager
Florida Bureau of Archaeological Research
Tallahassee FL
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Original Message:
Sent: 07-30-2024 12:24
From: Adrianne Burklund
Subject: Ideas for how to handle powder post beetles?

Hello,

I manage the collections at my museum and this year noticed that a historic wagon we have on exhibit in a covered but not enclosed space, has powder post beetle activity. I'm wondering what I can do to limit or reduce the damage since they are in several parts of the wagon. The front and side boards visible in the wide image show the most activity. 

Activity was discovered when the wagon was vacuumed about a month ago. Any ideas would be appreciated.

------------------------------
Adrianne Burklund
Collections Specialist
Billings Farm & Museum
Windsor VT
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 7/30/2024 12:25:00 PM
From: Adrianne Burklund
Subject: Ideas for how to handle powder post beetles?

Hello,

I manage the collections at my museum and this year noticed that a historic wagon we have on exhibit in a covered but not enclosed space, has powder post beetle activity. I'm wondering what I can do to limit or reduce the damage since they are in several parts of the wagon. The front and side boards visible in the wide image show the most activity. 

Activity was discovered when the wagon was vacuumed about a month ago. Any ideas would be appreciated.

------------------------------
Adrianne Burklund
Collections Specialist
Billings Farm & Museum
Windsor VT
------------------------------