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Effective IPM programs reduce pest survival through minimizing those elements essential for pest survival (e.g.
food, moisture and habitat). Components of any IPM plan include monitoring and identification of the pest,
inspection, habitat modification, good sanitation, treatment action, evaluation and education. These co mponents are
on going and cyclical. IPM aims to prevent pest problems from occurring while at the same time reducing the use
of toxic materials that may adversely affect the environment and the materials being protected against pests (Jessup,
2001).
To put it in a more complex way: IPM means employing an integrated, innovative and environmentally
compatible control technology, utilizing environmental management, biological control and public education,
suppleme nted by the safe use of chem ical control technology.
7.2.2 IPM and Building
There are many routes by which pests get into a cultural institution. First and foremost a building offers many gaps
such as doors, windows and drains. Typ ical roots of infestation in museums are formed in preparatory work
(especially in museums, which use insects to clean the bones of animal skeletons) and educational programs (from
which insects often escape). O ther prominent ways in which pests enter the building are during disasters and storms
(see section on Disaster Preparedness), in returned loans and in roof spaces with nests (Clareson, 1993). Several
architectural methods of pest protection are already available, especially in countries that have ample experience
with termite infestation (see section on Building).
7.2.2.1 Inside the Building
An IPM programme will only be as strong as the commitment of those who implement it, and everyone in the
institution is involved. The exact steps in implementing an IPM programme will vary between buildings, climate,
objects, accessibility to the collection, condition of the collection, environment, surroundings on the building and
is dependent on how the management organisation is structured, management styles, etc. (M itchell, n.d.)
The building should be considered the first barrier to insect entry, and play an important part in integrated pest
managem ent. This means the building surroundings, layout and fabric, housekeeping and sanitation, fittings and
structures. Vertebra tes that may become pests can be controlled by measures similar to those used for insects. In
sealing off openings it is advisable to first check if an animal is sealed in (Pearson, 1993b).
It is particularly important to develop strict procedures for dealing with newly acquired collections, since such
collections have often been stored in attics or basements that are hospitable to pests (see also Hickin, 1971). These
procedures include the following:
• examine incoming material immediately;
• remove all objects from storage or shipping enclosures;
• examine frame backings and mats, wrappings, and other accompanying materials;
• transfer materials to clean archival boxes;
• if possible, isolate rehoused, incoming materials in a space away from other collections
• throw the old boxes away unless they are archival quality and you are absolutely certain they are clean;
• process and place incoming material in its permanent enclosures prom ptly;
• place a tent or motel-type sticky trap on a sidewall inside each box to improve monitoring;
• vacuum materials thoro ughly (assuming the objects are not deteriorated or fragile) through a nylon or other soft
screen, using a high-filtration vacuum.
It is important to remember that collections themselves are not the only source of food for insects. Much
precautionary and preventive action can be taken within the building itself. By optimising the natural use of the
building archival pests can for a large part be prevented. Next to proper housekeeping and regular pest monitoring
some points of special interest include the following:
• confine food consumption to a staff lounge; leftovers should be tightly sealed or removed;
• pay attention to the attraction of dead birds and/or abandoned birds nests to insects;
• remove the remains of insects;
• avoid placing plants and flowers inside the building which will encourage the presence of insects;
• check additional points of entry for insects such as inadequately sealed windows and doors, windows and doors
that are left open routinely, cracks and crevices in walls or foundations, openings around pipes, vents and air
ducts;
• check damp areas like pipes running, water fountains, custodial closets, climate-control equipment, standing
water on a ro of or in other lo cations to which insects are attracted;
• check small, dark, tight and undisturbed spaces where insects that threaten collections thrive;
• prevent accumulations of dust and dirt which help to provide a hospitable atmosphere for pests.
7.2.2.2 Outside the Building
• vegetation close to the building provides an excellent habitat for insects; a planting-free zone of at least 12
inches should be maintained around buildings;
• the area around founda tions should be gravelled and graded away from a building to avoid basement flooding;
• maintain climate conditions recommended for the preservation of paper to help to control insect populations.
7.2.3 Integrated Pest Management - Outline
As Integrated Pest Management (IPM) largely depends on the local situation various models have been developed.
For their own purposes the National Archives of the Netherlands developed an outline of an IPM programme as
insects, rodents and micro-organisms continuously threaten the archives (ARA, 2000). The holdings of the National
Archives are considered unique and very valuable so the tolerance for the presence of pests is very low.