To readers of Museum-L (cross posted with NHCOLL-L--sorry for any duplication) We have boxed archaeological collections, including plant and animal materials, stored in a room in the anthropology building here on campus. A proposal has been made to start a dermestic colony in the room next to our storage area. This idea makes me VERY nervous. The building in old, and not very "tight". I am worried that we will soon have dermestids in our collections. We already have periodic incursions of dermestids, and are constantly on watch for them with sticky glue traps. If any of you have had experince with dermestid colonies, please give me your input. Do I have good reason to suggest the colony be placed elsewhere? Or is it possible to really contain the little beasts? Thanks in advance, and All the best for the season. LaurelLaurel Casjens Curator of Collections Utah Museum of Natural History University of Utah Salt Lake City, UT 84112 801-581-5578 fax: 801-585-3684 [log in to unmask]