Museum, according to ICOM 2022,is a not for profit, permanent institution in the service of society that
researches, collects, conserves, interprets, and exhibits tangible and intangible heritage. Open to the
public, accessible and inclusive, museums fosters diversity and sustainability. They operate and communicate ethnically, professionally and with the participation of communities, offering varied
experiences for education, enjoyment, reflection and knowledge sharing.
Any object representing culture, arts, and heritage, preserved in a museum qualifies itself to be a
museum object. Their vulnerability to damage and their control measures also differ depending on it’s
nature, type and its environment. Museum objects can be classified under: organic, inorganic, stone,
painting and cellulosic objects. Focus is more on the organic objects that we know are products of living
organisms, be it animal and plant base. Organic objects are therefore affected by biological agents of
deterioration such as pest and insects.
Materials derived from living organisms such as wooden objects; fabrics and textiles; Palm leaves;
leather objects are not only prone to biological agents of deterioration but also affected by climatic
conditions and changes. These organic objects are quite delicate and must be taken care of properly as
they are very susceptible to pest and insects damage. The cumulative effects of the damage can deface
and ultimately destroy the museum object. Therefore, it is important to constantly monitor and preserve museum collection from pest activity.
Identification of species of pest causing the problems is the cornerstone and the integral part of the
treatment. Examples include carpet beetle, booklice, cockroaches, termites, rodents just to mention a
few. The correct identification of the pest will assist in the decision to continue inspection or implement
control measures. The insect pests can cause the most damage as they are further classified under their
types of food sources. Textile pest, wood pest, stored proto ducts pest, paper pest, garbage pest and of
course general pest.
The second step is to conduct a thorough inspection and survey, commencing with the outside and then
the inside of the facility. The aim is to gain a thorough knowledge of the facility so that actions can be
taken to prevent pest entry and problem areas are promptly identified for intense monitoring. Signs of
pest activity includes chewing marks, grazed surfaces, Fras, fecal pellets, dried stains and fecal spots, or
even presence of actual insects, alone or dead, at various stages of it’s development. It is usually these
signs, rather than the actual pest, that are detected first. So it’s very important to note that one should
be familiar with the signs to be able to detect and locate the source of infestation. Remember insect
population can start from a very small source but will increase and then grow too large for the food
sources. When this happens, they will exit the area and seek out new food sources in the museum
collection.
Approaches used by the museums is the application of some types of pesticides to control or prevent
infestation. Routine fumigation of the museum environment and it’s storage facilities are required as it
helps to minimize the pest infestation and it’s housing. Certain methods involving the use of non
chemical controls such as freezing or heating depending on the prognosis of the treatment. This
approach is done by identifying the infested object, treat, then quarantined over a period of time to be
observed. However, both chemical and non chemical approaches requires the service of a trained
conservator. Due to the direct application of chemicals and then freezing or heating, proper care is
taken not to damage the object under observation.
A proper pest eradication management program should be encouraged. As this varies from one museum
to the other. Inspections and surveys should be done as often as practically possible. They should be
thorough and regular but the frequency will be determined by resources. That is to say simple and cost
effective. As a general guide, a check of the collection areas should be carried out constantly as well as a
proper survey on the facility. Too often, a pest problem will develop due to an incomplete inspection,
allowing pest to build up their population without being noticed. After the first few inspection, certain
areas that have proven to be free of pest problems and that do not contain vulnerable material, may not
need to be surveyed every time. Other procedures that are simple and cost effective are controlling
environmental factors like temperature, relative humidity , light sources etc are done to ensure the
areas are undesirable to pest. Establishing good housekeeping practices , clearing garbage. Garbage is to
many pest what a grocery store is to us. Therefore, frequent removal of rubbish reduces the risk of
infestation. Repellants such as camphor, pesticides etc in and around the museum facility is necessary.
Regular fumigation in and outside museum facility is very necessary. Finally, establishing food and drink
free zone in any space around the museum is necessary to achieve a healthy and pest free
environment.