12 Pests of Collections

Pests of Collections

A note about pests … If your specimens are damp, or if you live in a very humid area, fungi can be a problem. The best solution is to make sure that your specimens are thoroughly dry before placing them in your display box.

A bigger problem is insects that eat dead insects! Beetles in the family Dermestidae, in particular, are a major pest of insect collections. If you notice small piles of dust under a pinned specimen, especially a large or heavy-bodied specimen, the best solution is to freeze the entire display box immediately. Dermestid larvae can destroy an entire display box in a few weeks. They are likely to be more of a problem for me than for you (I will freeze all of your collections as soon as I receive them to protect our teaching collection), but can be an issue if you want to keep your collection rather than donating it to UNBC. Mothballs, or their equivalent, can also help, but the fumes are toxic, and they should be used only with appropriate safety precautions. Your best defense is vigilance!