Anne,
If you are freezing for "other" insects, the protocol
calls for deep freezing, followed by warming, followed by deep freezing a second
time. You also can kill all forms of insects (adult, larvae, eggs) by
heating to 130 F for 12 hours. Each method has its advantages and
disadvantages. And, you will find zealot proponents of one particular
method. I would suggest that for your particular item, it has probably
already been subjected to 100 F or more in its natural environment. It is
made of a flexible material that can respond easily to possible equilibrium
moisture content changes. Plus, the plastic container will serve to limit
moisture exchanges. Therefore, heat treatment is a realistic
alternative. If the T can be adequately controlled to no more than 140
(remember, the timer doesn't start until the interior of the object is up to
130), even the plastic tote should be able to sustain the treatment. Will
it fit in your temperature chamber (oven)?
Diversity is beauty!
Marc
American Conservation Consortium, Ltd.
4
Rockville Road
Broad Brook, CT
06016
www.conservator.com
860-386-6058
*Collections Preservation Consultation
*Conservation Assessments &
Surveys
*Environmental Monitoring & Low-Tech Control
*Moisture
Management Solutions
*Collections in Historic Structures
*Collections Care
Grant Preparation
*Conservation Treatment of:
Furniture
Painted Wood
Horse-Drawn Vehicles
Architectural Interiors
Decorative Objects & Folk Art
Marc A. Williams, President
MS in Art
Conservation, Winterthur Museum Program
Former Chief
Wooden Object Conservator, Smithsonian Institution
Fellow, American Institute for Conservation (AIC)
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Tuesday, July 07, 2009 2:30
PM
Subject: [MUSEUM-L] Freezing Question for
the Charlotte, NC area
Hi – We have received a large hornets’
nest that we want to display in our museum, since Charlotte has considered the
hornet’s nest their very own symbol ever since General Lord Cornwallis dubbed
the area “a hornets’ nest of rebellion.” I would like to freeze it – it was
sprayed by the donor, but that’s no guarantee there aren’t other bits of
critters lurking within the folds. This thing is big – we have it sealed into
a large plastic tote, so I’m thinking maybe 6 cubic feet. We don’t have a
freezer. Anybody in our area have a large freezer, or know of a facility that
would let us keep a well-sealed nest in their freezer for a few
weeks?
Many
thanks,
Anne
Featured
Exhibits:
Charlotte
Stories: Our Collections, Your Treasures
Charlotte
Neighborhoods: NoDa
=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:
The Museum-L FAQ file is located at
http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed
information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message
to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help"
(without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to
[log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff
Museum-L" (without the quotes).
=========================================================
Important Subscriber Information:
The Museum-L FAQ file is located at http://www.finalchapter.com/museum-l-faq/ . You may obtain detailed information about the listserv commands by sending a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "help" (without the quotes).
If you decide to leave Museum-L, please send a one line e-mail message to [log in to unmask] . The body of the message should read "Signoff Museum-L" (without the quotes).