Posted by Matt_Scheiner on 05-20-2005 11:14 PM:

Bugs

Can anyone offer advice for eradicating bugs from old wooden tribal pieces without damaging the piece? I have an African piece with insects actively boring small holes.

Thanks,

Matt Scheiner

Posted by Steve Price on 05-20-2005 11:20 PM:

Hi Matt

If you have access to a freezer that goes to 0 F. (about -20 C), and the piece will fit in it, this is an excellent way to kill off the insects and their eggs. Put the piece in the freezer, keep it there for 3 days (this allows the deep parts of the wood to reach the low temperatures). That should solve the problem.

This works by freezing the water inside the cells; the ice crystals rupture the cells and disrupt their internal organization. That's why it works on the eggs as well as on the larvae that are actively doing the damage.

Regards,

Steve Price

Posted by Louis_Dubreuil on 06-02-2005 10:40 AM:

Hello Steve

to complete your answer about "freezing" bugs, there are two other ways for items that don't fit in a freezer. The principle is "anoxia" i.e. suppression of the oxygen. This can be obtained by the vacuum or by the replacement of the air by azote (=nitrogen; ed.).

Those two methods use plastic film pouches or bags, that are sealed by heat, vacuum pump or azote bottles. Equipment can be found in food conditionnement specialized stores.

Meilleures salutations

Louis Dubreuil

Posted by Mary Peever on 08-05-2005 07:41 AM:

I have done several treatments by anoxic scavenging. I have used it for booklice, termites and clothing moths. I use "Ageless" by Mitsubishi but there are other good products as well. You really have to know what your doing and follow the manufacturers instructions or you can waste $. A composite wooden piece, for instance, 52"x24"x8" cost me $300 CND for the scavenger and film.
You have to practise heat-sealing the barrier film. The one I use seals at 250F, or "poyesther" setting on my household iron. Most of my clients prefer to leave the items in the barier film if they are not on display. The items can still be handled and viewed as the film is clear. Remember, no matter what method you use, unless the source of the infestation is completely eradicated, there can be reinfestation. I recommend any new pieces be isolated in sealed clear plastic (AND the packing materials) and scrutinized for several weeks, before being introduced into a collection.