freezers for killing museum pests

[Tony Irwin]

Dear Gary
We use domestic chest freezers for pest control (mainly Anthrenus). We are
choosy about which we buy, and try to obtain models that will go below -30
C. The temperature is checked using a digital thermometer with remote
sensor. Specimens are left in the freezer for at least two days after
minimum temperature is reached.
I envy you getting a walk-in freezer -  trying to get an emu into a chest
freezer is not easy!

Here are a few papers that may help:
Strang, T.J.K., 1992 "A Review of Published Temperatures for the Control of
Pest Insects in Museums", Collection Forum, Vol 8(2): 41-67.
Canadian Conservation Institute [Strang, T.J.K.] 1997 "Controlling Insect
Pests with Low Temperature" CCI Notes 3/3. Ottawa:CCI
Florian, Mary-Lou, 1997 "Heritage Eaters, Insects and Fungi in Heritage
Collections". London:James & James
Seddon, T. 1998 "Effective freezing strategies" Natural Sciences
Conservation Group Newsletter No.8 :27-30

The Conservation Centre at the National Galleries on Merseyside (Liverpool)
have been using walk-in freezers for pest control for several years. Tracey
Seddon (tracey at nmgmcc4.demon.co.uk) was very helpful when I contacted her on
this subject.

Tony Irwin
Norfolk Museums Service
The Shirehall
Norwich
Norfolk NR1 3JQ
England
Tel: (0)1603 493642
Mobile: (0)7880707834
Fax: (0)1603 493623
E-mail: tony.irwin at btinternet.com.