I've been told that Michael Trinkley, Chicora Foundation in Columbia, SC, is an expert on IPM and knows the pros and cons of freezing and chambers.  So you might try contacting him.


Linda Derry
Site Director
Old Cahawba
719 Tremont St.
Selma, AL 36701
ph. 334/875-2529
fax. 334/877-4253
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-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Mills, Robin O
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 2:02 PM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: Prevention of Insect Infestation within Collections

The University of Alaska Museum of the North in Fairbanks, the largest repository of archaeological and paleontological collections in Alaska (I believe), freezes all of its materials for a specified number of hours (48? 72?) in large freezers prior to moving them inside the building proper.  Obviously, there are sometimes very large pieces that come along that have to be dealt with separately, but I believe that is their general policy.

-----Original Message-----
From: HISTORICAL ARCHAEOLOGY [mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of Rotenizer, David E
Sent: Tuesday, February 07, 2012 10:50 AM
To: [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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