Caring for Your Art and Artifacts, and Finding a Conservator

The American Institute for Conservation has on its web site a section on the home page titled Caring for your Treasures.  You can find this site at http://aic.stanford.edu/  or you can search AIC's database for a conservator in your area.  For further information contact Nikki Morris, Registrar, at nikkim@boothmuseum.org.

Caring for Infested Art or Artifacts

Most museums have moved away from the use of chemicals to control or kill infestations in collections because chemicals have been found to harm people as well as the objects. The current guiding principle to which many museums adhere is called integrated pest management, or IPM for short.  Originally developed for agriculture, IPM utilizes physical, mechanical, cultural, biological and educational methods to eliminate infestations.  Chemicals are used as a last resort.

The Booth Western Art Museum freezes its infested objects, but it is not advised that all items be frozen. Composite objects, such as katsina dolls, could be damaged by the freezing process.  It is recommended that a professional conservator be consulted. Other items, such as rugs and baskets, can be safely frozen, but when in doubt, contact a professional conservator.  For more information about how to locate an appropriate conservator, please scroll down.

If you feel that an item is stable enough to be frozen follow these steps:

1.   Seal the item in a clear plastic bag so that you can see it. To prevent moisture condensation, try to squeeze out as much air as possible before sealing the bag with a twist-tie, rubber band, or other means.  You can also use Ziplock bags.

Special Note:  In more humid climates, it is probably better to wait for the dry season before you follow the freezing procedure recommended here.

2.   Place the item in a freezer that is not fully loaded, is set at its coldest setting, and has been running for at least 24 hours. It is better if the freezer is empty. The best type of freezer to use for this purpose is a chest freezer, because the cold air will not flow out like it will in an upright freezer when the door is opened. But a problem with a chest freezer is that the bottom often stays fairly warm (32°F), so place a rack or empty box in the bottom to elevate the infested item. 

3.   Freeze the item for at least 48 hours. Ideally, the freezer should achieve and maintain a temperature of at least minus 20°F during this time. You can use an inexpensive indoor-outdoor thermometer to track the temperature in the freezer.

4.   Remove the item and let it thaw for at least 24 hours. Scientists believe this step “fools” hardy insects into believing that spring has arrived. 

5.   Repeat step 3.

6.   Remove the item, let it thaw, and then carefully vacuum the piece to remove any bug residue. Monitor the item for a few months to see if any new infestation occurs. If it does, follow the freezing procedure above.

One other item to note: Canadian conservators have reported that a longer freeze of five or more days is more effective than a shorter freeze, and they do not refreeze the infested item a second time. To be safe though, you might prefer a longer freeze that includes a second freeze.

Special Notes

If you want to know more about pest control, Common Sense Pest Control: Least Toxic Solutions for Your Home, Garden, Pets and Community by William and Helga Olkowski and Sheila Daar, 1994, is a good reference book. The book provides guidance and advice for using both non-chemical and chemical (pesticide) treatments. 

Published by Taunton Press, Inc., 63 South Main Street, Box 5506, Newtown, CT 06740-5506, ISBN 0-942391-63-2, the book is available with a hardback cover, and contains 736 pages, 308 drawings and 107 tables and charts. It is priced at around $40 - $45.  Barnes and Noble carries this book in the Home Improvement section.  You also may contact your local bookstore for more information about how to order a copy.