I believe that freezing for a specific amount of time is the recommended policy for dealing with collections that may be infested.  

Marybeth S.F. Tomka, M.A. 
Laboratory Director and Curator 
Center for Archaeological Research 
The University of Texas at San Antonio 
State Certified Curatorial Repository 
One UTSA Circle 
San Antonio, Texas 78249 
(210) 458-7822 
(210) 458-4397 Fax 
http://car.utsa.edu/ 
. . . herding cats in a forest of catnip . . . 


-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of HISTARCH automatic digest system
Sent: Wednesday, February 08, 2012 1:00 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: HISTARCH Digest - 6 Feb 2012 to 7 Feb 2012 (#2012-26)
------------------------------

Date:    Tue, 7 Feb 2012 12:50:19 -0700
From:    "Rotenizer, David E" <[log in to unmask]>
Subject: Prevention of Insect Infestation within Collections

We are a new state archaeological collections management facility - opened in 2008

All incoming collections are placed in an isolation room.  Sticky bait traps, placed at strategic locations, are used to detect and control insects.  Collections are monitored for six weeks before placement within permanent storage.

We are currently exploring two options for more effective, and time efficient, methods of insect control for incoming collections:
1.  Anoxic chamber [fumigation (CO2) chamber] often called "the bubble."
2.  Freezing [use of a specialized freezer]

We understand there are pros and cons to both options.   

Any comments regarding the use of the anoxic chamber and/or freezing for insect control would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks so much.
- David

David E. Rotenizer
Site Manager
Grave Creek Mound Archaeological Complex West Virginia Division of Culture and History

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