ITS THAT TIME OF YEAR AGAIN WHEN INSECTS FEEL THE URGE!
HOW THEY CAN TELL WHEN THE RIGHT TIME IS IN A CLIMATE CONTROLLED
BUILDING IS A MYSTERY TO ME.  IT DOESN'T SAY MUCH ABOUT OUR SYSTEM!

WE'VE HAD AN OUBREAK OF CARPET BEEETLES IN OUR BONES COLLECTION.
ATTHIS TIME OF YEAR IN NEW ZEALAND THEY ARE IN THIER FLYING STAGE.
IDENTIFIED INFESTATIONS HAVE BEEN TREATED BY FREEZING.  HOWEVER WE
ARE STILL CONCERNED THAT THE INFESTATION MAY HAVE SPREAD TO OTHER
AREAS.   THEREFORE WE PROPOSE THAT OUR COLLECTION STORES BEFOGGED
WITH A PESTICIDE.

THE PESTICIDE THAT THE APPLICATOR, RENTOKIL,
PROPOSES TO USE IS DIAZINON (EMULSIFIABLE CONCENTRATE, 20%)
DISPERSED IN WATER.

QUESTIONS:

DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW IF THIS CHEMICAL IS EFFECTIVE?

DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THE SAFETY ASPECTS OF THIS
PESTICIDE, BOTH FOR HUMANS AND COLLECTIONS?

I DO NOT TRUST THE PEST CONTROL COMPANIES TO BE FULLY COMPETENT IN
BEATING INFESTATIONS IN MUSEUMS OR BEING CONCERNED OR KNOWLEDGABLE
ABOUT SAFETY ASPECTS.

ANY INFORMATION ANYONE HAS ON THIS PRODUCT OR SUGGESTED ALTERNATIVE
PRODUCTS OR PROVEDURES WOULD BE GREATLY RECEIVED!

MANY THANKS

STUART MCADAM
THE SCIENCE CENTRE AND MANAWATU MUSEUM
PALMERSTON NORTH, NEW ZEALAND.

PLEASE REPLY TO [log in to unmask]
Tim Gilbertson
Curatorial Assistant
The Science Centre & Manawatu Museum
Private Bag 11055, Palmerston North, New Zealand
ph: 06-3514 309
fax: 06-3583 552
e-mail: [log in to unmask]