Pam,

In current thought the use of poisons, especially when dealing with
rodents or small mamals, is usually the measure of final resort.

Other approaches would be to survey the building and block any
potential and real areas of entry, to eliminate any potential food
sources or any other attractors, to clear shubbery or other plant
areas that could be used for nesting of for lairs, and to even use
predators, such as cats or dogs, to scare away or hunt down the
problem animals. If your traps are not working then perhaps you should
get more profesional advice and/or equipment that could be more
successful.

Poisons are indiscriminate and can harm a wider variety of living
things (including visitors) and then you always have the issue of
having a poisoned animal, lets say a mouse, dying behind a wall or
some other inaccessible spot.

I would even consider relocting the more sensitive collections items
to another building before I would go the route of employing poisons.

Cheers!
Dave

David Harvey
Conservator
Los Angeles, California

On 1/5/07, Pamela Silvestri <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
>
> I'm resurrecting this issue once again.  There has always been much
> discussion on the list about pest eradication/management and I have been
> struggling with small rodent infestations and previously posted for help
> from the list (thank you, thank you as always) but am now faced with having
> to take more serious action in an attempt to save our Museum's collections.
>
> We've been able to trap some mice, and shrews but none of the chipmunks and
> squirrels. And even catching several mice and shrews is not enough now
> because of the extensive infestation.
>
> The damage caused by these animals has taken a toll on our collections.
> Mainly textiles and paper/plastic. Everyday I'm discovering damage. Today I
> found a mouse nest in a uniform jacket hanging in the closet. The mouse/mice
> chewed a large hole through the back of the jacket (wool) and used this
> material along with pieces of fiberglass insulation (we're in the midst of
> building renovations/repair projects) for a nest inside the jacket.
>
> We only have two examples of these earliest uniform jackets - this one
> having been in the best condition of the two. The other item that was
> damaged is a newer commemorative cotton tapestry/throw. A chipmunk (we
> believe) has taken almost all the fringe for nesting (I haven't found the
> nest yet).
>
> I'm sure that I will discover more damaged items and pest activity in the
> days to come but in order to prevent more, I have no choice but to use Decon
> or a similar poison product.
>
> This is unfortunate to have it get to this point but preventative measures
> in this type of building were impossible. "Controlling" activity is not
> viable.
>
> The damaged textiles will have to go into plastic bins (some day for
> restoration of at least the uniform jacket)and now I'm wondering if I should
> put all the textiles in bins. There are several uniforms and other textiles
> on display in exhibits (at least 2 dozen items). One of the shirts displayed
> on a mannequin has holes from mice that occurred last year (as did a rare
> baseball uniform that is now in a glass display case).
>
> Storing all the textiles ultimately means closing the museum to the public
> until the Spring.
>
> Having weighed out all of this is why I've decided to try the Decon. If I
> set up traps with buckets of water, the poisoned animals should drown in the
> water so this should reduce the # that will die and decompose throughout the
> building.
>
> Any other suggestions/advice from the list...as always I'd greatly
> appreciate this. I've done the best that I could - even have all the
> supplies I need to work on much of the collections, but too many projects,
> too little time and it's only me doing this work. I'm still working on
> documents/files (new file cabinets - have been removing metal staples/clips,
> interweaving documents, archival folders, re-labeling, etc. phew!). And
> still recovering from major surgery I had 5 weeks ago!
>
> In the meantime, I am working towards finding volunteers to assist with some
> of these immediate needs -
>
> Pam
>
>
> Pamela Silvestri, Volunteer Assistant Museum Director
> Northeast States Civilian Conservation Corps Museum
> Shenipsit State Forest Headquarters
> 166 Chestnut Hill Road
> Stafford Springs, Connecticut 06076
> Telephone: (860) 684-3430
> e-mail: [log in to unmask] or
> [log in to unmask]
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