Connecting to Collections Care

Hi Rachel, 

It might be helpful to get an assessment from the pest control company you work with, and ask what chemicals they would use to treat a hornet nest. From there we could determine if the chemicals would be safe to use on the sculpture. I would try to avoid anything that contains chlorine because it is detrimental to metals and resins. I am also not sure how much pressure or product would be needed to get rid of the nest if a sprayer is used. If the pest control company offers non-chemical removal, that would be an ideal option. Some folks have had success spraying the nest with soapy water, that might be a safer option for the sculpture (but you should be safe and comfortable too).

Original Message:
Sent: 09-11-2024 14:29
From: Rachel Lovelace-Portal
Subject: Wasp Nest on Outdoor Sculpture

Hello,

I was cleaning an outdoor sculpture on our campus and noticed there is a wasp nest inside the sculpture. I'm wondering how we should treat it. My museum contracts with a pest control company, but I want to know if there are specific pesticides we should avoid or what a safe method of removing the nest is. The pest control company we work with does not have a lot of experience working with museums. The nest seems to be mostly on the metal armature that holds the sculpture to its plinth. The sculpture is made of felt and resin. 

Any advice would be appreciated.

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Lovelace-Portal
Registrar and Collections Manager
The Hyde Collection
Glens Falls, NY
518-792-1761 ext. 335
------------------------------

Hi Brittany,

Our pest control company looked at the nest today and said that they believe it is abandoned. There are no signs of activity and they suggested we simply pull the nest off. He did say it will leave a mark. We have not pulled it off yet and are thinking about spraying it with soapy water and then removing it, unless there are other suggestions. We are a little concerned about starting to remove it and then discovering it is not abandoned. 

Best,

Rachel

Original Message:
Sent: 09-12-2024 13:42
From: Brittany Murray
Subject: Wasp Nest on Outdoor Sculpture

Hi Rachel, 

It might be helpful to get an assessment from the pest control company you work with, and ask what chemicals they would use to treat a hornet nest. From there we could determine if the chemicals would be safe to use on the sculpture. I would try to avoid anything that contains chlorine because it is detrimental to metals and resins. I am also not sure how much pressure or product would be needed to get rid of the nest if a sprayer is used. If the pest control company offers non-chemical removal, that would be an ideal option. Some folks have had success spraying the nest with soapy water, that might be a safer option for the sculpture (but you should be safe and comfortable too).

------------------------------
Brittany Murray
C2C Care Monitor
WUDPAC Graduate Fellow
bfmurray@udel.edu

Original Message:
Sent: 09-11-2024 14:29
From: Rachel Lovelace-Portal
Subject: Wasp Nest on Outdoor Sculpture

Hello,

I was cleaning an outdoor sculpture on our campus and noticed there is a wasp nest inside the sculpture. I'm wondering how we should treat it. My museum contracts with a pest control company, but I want to know if there are specific pesticides we should avoid or what a safe method of removing the nest is. The pest control company we work with does not have a lot of experience working with museums. The nest seems to be mostly on the metal armature that holds the sculpture to its plinth. The sculpture is made of felt and resin. 

Any advice would be appreciated.

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Lovelace-Portal
Registrar and Collections Manager
The Hyde Collection
Glens Falls, NY
518-792-1761 ext. 335
------------------------------

The hive will die off on its own in a few weeks time once the weather starts to cool off a bit more. Research when wasps typically die in your climate and remove the hive after that. Or to be on the safe side, do it in the winter or early spring. The dead hives make great teaching materials and are fascinating to look at. 

You can also prevent future hives by creating a fake hive, if you know anyone who crochets, there are patterns out there to make these dummy nests. 

I would monitor the location come spring to make sure a new nest is not formed there. 

Original Message:
Sent: 09-11-2024 14:29
From: Rachel Lovelace-Portal
Subject: Wasp Nest on Outdoor Sculpture

Hello,

I was cleaning an outdoor sculpture on our campus and noticed there is a wasp nest inside the sculpture. I'm wondering how we should treat it. My museum contracts with a pest control company, but I want to know if there are specific pesticides we should avoid or what a safe method of removing the nest is. The pest control company we work with does not have a lot of experience working with museums. The nest seems to be mostly on the metal armature that holds the sculpture to its plinth. The sculpture is made of felt and resin. 

Any advice would be appreciated.

Rachel

------------------------------
Rachel Lovelace-Portal
Registrar and Collections Manager
The Hyde Collection
Glens Falls, NY
518-792-1761 ext. 335
------------------------------