Biological Pests

Introduction

In nature, insects and moulds perform the vital task of reducing animal and plant products to reusable chemicals. This is an important part of the cycle of life. There are numerous species of insects and moulds, with an equally huge range of habitats, food sources and behaviours.

Collections in museums, galleries and libraries, as well as possessions in our homes and workplaces provide food and breeding places for insects and moulds. We see them as simple organisms, but in many ways they are more successful than we are in finding food and adapting to the conditions we impose on them.

If they are not controlled, insects and moulds can severely damage many types of organic materials in our collections. Controlling them can be much more complicated than just buying a can of insecticide or calling a pest control company. Chemical warfare on insects and moulds can have very serious effects on humans. Many of the chemicals used are toxic—that's why they kill insects and moulds. These chemicals can also damage objects in collections.

It is important, therefore, to be able to recognise the signs of insect and moulds activity—and these can sometimes be very subtle. It is also important to know which biological pests pose a threat, so that you can take steps to control them, but without placing your collections or yourselves at risk.