Identification

In order to control a pest problem, it must be identified properly. Entomologists specialize in insect identification and control. If you do not know an entomologist in your area, look at the

Directory of Entomology Specialists
(entomologists, addresses and contact numbers, organized by states) 
http://pestdata.ncsu.edu/ipmexperts/pmcenters/PMExpertsearch.cfm?usdaregion=National%20Site

Or have your pest identified at the

Virtual Plant and Pest Diagnostic Laboratory 
http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/ppdl/default.html

A broken or smashed insect may be impossible to identify. Your entomologist should be able to tell you how to prepare a sample. If not, here are some articles that provide guidelines:

How to Collect and Ship Samples 
http://www.ppdl.purdue.edu/ppdl/SampleSubmission.html

How to package and mail Invertebrate (insect) specimens 
http://scarab.msu.montana.edu/ipm/Submital.html

Pest Identification: Insects
(includes information on how to package insects for the entomologist)
http://ipm.ncsu.edu/urban/cropsci/c07insec/c07insec.html

Be sure you know the pests that are commonly a problem to a collection.

Museum Pests 
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/IPM/natparks/museum.html

Included on the left are links to a few pages that provide information about carpet beetles, silverfish and firebrats, and clothes moths.

Books and products we recommend:

CCI Tech Bulletin #13 Controlling Vertebrate Pests in Museums by Thomas J.K. Strang and John E. Dawson 
Examines the detrimental affect that rodents have on museum collections. Vertebrate animals can soil or destroy artifacts. Prompt identification of the pest and the use of suitable methods to control it are essential. In most cases, non-chemical methods can be used to control vertebrate pests in museums; chemical methods are also discussed.

CCI Tech Bulletin # 15 Solving Museum Insect Problems: Chemical Control by John E. Dawson and revised by Thomas J.K. Strang 
Intended to help museum staff understand commercial pest control operations. It describes chemical methods of controlling insects, and includes information on regulations, modes of action, and application methods necessary for the safe use of insecticides. A detailed guide helps in decision-making about the appropriate chemical method of control.

CCI Tech Bulletin #29 Combatting Pests of Cultural Property by Tom Strang and Rika Kigawa
Pests can be very destructive to both aesthetic elements and the structural integrity of collections, historic buildings, and objects. Protection against pests requires attention to the collection’s environment, containment, discovery of pests, response to pests, and remediation actions. Reducing loss of value over time is the goal of preventive conservation strategies. Integrated pest management (IPM) practices are part of this process. Having a safe work environment and minimizing adverse effects to objects from chemical exposure is a background concern. Effectiveness of any control procedure or treatment can be measured by reducing the extent and repeated incidence of the problem. Basic pests of collections, and a structured approach to pest reduction activities, are presented. A survey method with remediation activities appropriate to pest infestation findings is given to help start an IPM program for a wide range of collections from outdoor installations to state-of-the art preservation facilities. 

Links to related information on other sites:

Directory of Entomology Departments and Institutes (DEDI) 
http://www.sciref.org/links/EntDept/UW.htm

Cigarette Beetle 
http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/ factsheets/cigarett.html

Cluster flies Waking Up in homes 
http://ipm.montana.edu/YardGarden/docs/clusterflies-insect.htm

Mice, Family housing, offices, barracks, and other administrative buildings – Integrated Pest Management Outline No. 23 
http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/ento/ PLAN/MICEHOUS.HTM

Mice, Food storage warehouses – Integrated Pest Management No. 22 
http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/ento/ PLAN/MICEFOOD.HTM

Powderpost Beetle 
http://www.ext.vt.edu/departments/entomology/ factsheets/powderpo.html

Rats 
http://www.colostate.edu/Depts/IPM/ natparks/rats.html

Links to full text articles for a variety of pests are found at:

Insects and Pests 
(A list of articles about insect and pest identification) 
http://ohioline.osu.edu/lines/pests.html

Virginia Cooperative Extension: List of Beetles with Links 
http://www.ext.vt.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Docs.woa/wa/getcat?cat=ir-ln-ip-be

Virginia Cooperative Extension: List of General Household Insects with Links 
http://www.ext.vt.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/Docs.woa/wa/getcat?cat=ir-ln-ip

MSU Integrated Pest Management Pest Recommendation Network 
http://scarab.msu.montana.edu/PRN1/index.html

Home & Landscape Pest Notes
(links to information on specific pests) 
http://axp.ipm.ucdavis.edu/PMG/selectnewpest.home.html

Iowa Insect Information Notes 
(Listing of insects and links to information about them) 
http://www.ipm.iastate.edu/ipm/iiin/

Insect and Insect-Related Software 
Developed by or in Cooperation with the University of Florida 
http://pests.ifas.ufl.edu/software/

Pests In and Around the Home: CD-ROM 
http://pests.ifas.ufl.edu/software/det_pests.htm

General Information Paper on Cockroaches 
http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/ento/facts/roach.htm

Stored Products Insects – Integrated Pest Management Outline No. 7 
http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/ento/ PLAN/STORED.HTM

PestWeb: Links to Associations and Governments 
http://www.pestweb.com/associations/

Iowa State University Entomology Index to Internet Resources 
http://www.ent.iastate.edu/list/

Manageing Health Hazards Associated with Bird and Bat Excrement 
http://chppm-www.apgea.army.mil/ento/tg142.htm

National Pesticide Media Database 
http://pesticidepics.ext.vt.edu/