Crick Smith

Pest Management

Biological agents of deterioration that cause damage to collections include: insects, birds, rodents and mould growth, mainly causing damage to a variety of organic materials (leather, wood, paper, textiles etc.). Organic materials are a food source to these pests, whose excretions can also cause staining, corrosion and deterioration to some inorganic materials.

Pests come in a variety of guises: insects and their larvae, rodents (rats and mice), birds and mould growth. In many cases the presence of one pest can encourage another; for example, birds nests are ideal nurseries for many insect species. Environmental conditions also effect the life cycle of many pests. All pests require a food source and when that source is a collection of historic material pests can wreak irreversible damage.

Crick Smith are able to offer custodians of historic collections a cost effective Integrated Pest Management Strategy that is site-specific to the building in question, greatly reducing the potential threat from pests.

The principles of preventing damage to a collection through a pest management programme are:

Avoidance: keeping pests out by denying them access
Prevention: by denying them safe harbourage
Recognising pests: it is important to be able to identify the main species of pests and the damage they cause
Assessment: a programme of regular inspection and trapping
Solving the problem: by improving the environment and carrying out the required treatments
Reviewing procedures: having the knowledge to change procedures when necessary

Pest Management Strategies are highly cost effective and often involve very little financial outlay, with the single most important aspect being a regime of good housekeeping practice.

In addition to tailor made pest management strategies, the course Care of Collections provided by Crick Smith provides an introduction to Integrated Pest Management.

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Tel: 01522 895051
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