In humid tropical areas, insects pose a serious threat to collections of all types. The environment that is the most damaging to collections—high humidity, poor air circulation, poor housekeeping—is the most beneficial to insects. Libraries and archives can provide insects with food, water, and shelter if the building is accessible and conditions welcoming. If insect damage is evident in a library collection, a careful survey should be conducted using sticky traps to see what types of insects are causing the problem.
Various methods have been used to eradicate pests,
with differing degrees of success. These include
ethylene oxide (ETO), methyl bromide, formaldehyde,
and, more recently, gamma radiation. Most chemical
fumigants require that the materials be enclosed,
a vacuum chamber in the case of ETO and plastic
sheeting or tarpaulins in other cases. Gamma radiation,
used to deal with both insect and mold
infestations, has the advantage of no residual
effects—a major disadvantage with chemicals—but
studies have demonstrated that gamma rays damage
cellulose, the building blocks
of paper. More recently, tests have shown the
advantage of both cold and heat to kill harmful
insects. Temperature manipulation is preferred
to toxic chemicals.
Please click on the links below to find out more
about eradicating insects.
1. Make the building inhospitable from the outside
