Study on the Efficacy of Freezing Against Museum Pest Insect Demestes maculates

Museum taxidermies have traditionally relied on toxic chemicals for the prevention and treatment of pest infestations. However, concern over the health and safety implications of the use of chemicals in the museum environment, effectiveness, and potential adverse effects on museum specimens and associated materials has promoted investigation into alternative control methods. One such method is the use of freezing. The efficacy of freezing against museum pest insect Demestes maculates was evaluated. Results show that all pests tested at the surface of tanned skin failed to survive beyond 6 h of exposure of the temperature -20oC. However, the insulating properties of both the tanned skin and the stuff straw affected insecticidal effect by slowing the spread rate of cold air. Moreover, results also indicated that the rate of cooling played a key role in the course of eradication with freezing. With the increasing of the time of temperature equilibrium, the time from the point of equilibrium temperature to the point of obtaining 100% mortality increased significantly. It was suggested that the adaptation of pest insect against freezing would be strengthened and the freezing time would be prolonged if the temperature decreased slowly.