Explanations and Advice for IPM–Integrated Pest Management

The protection of cultural heritage material from pests such as insects, rodents and micro-organisms is a responsibility and obligation of archives, museums, libraries, art dealers, auction houses, art transport services and other similar organizations.
The risk of migration and spread of pests has increased due to the rise of global trade and tourism as well as increased lending of objects between institutions. There is a great need for risk minimization and pest control in a long-term, continuous and comprehensive manner: namely, by introducing an IPM system.

IPM = “Integrated Pest Management” also known as “Integrated Pest Control”, is a comprehensive strategy that combines various approaches in reducing and handling pest infestation problems.

An IPM is a key part of risk management and includes the following basic principles:
- Risk assessment
- Preventative measures
- Creating a pest-unfriendly environment
- Regular monitoring
- Standards and guidelines
- Pest control strategies

Components of an effective IPM system:
Prevention^1,4
by creating an environment that does not encourage pests
Recognition^2,4
through regular control and monitoring to create early detection and localization
Action³
only where it’s necessary, e.g. setting traps that emit pheromones and other attractants

¹ Refers to a risk area assessment of an environment or composition of objects while considering physical and organizational aspects. The assessment indicates probable susceptibility of several types of biological risk. With the help of an assessment, problem situations can be identified and prioritized and suitable maintenance and management methods can be determined. The assessment should include all incoming goods and materials (objects, crates, packaging material) either new or on loan. Risk areas should be classified ranging from “very high“ to “very low / none“.

² Controls based on visual checks should be conducted regularly (twice yearly; four times yearly is recommended). A plan, a checklist and suitable aids can help in monitoring pests. This includes monitoring of the continuous assessment of pest activities, e.g. setting up traps and regular trap inspections. The results of controls and monitoring and recommended actions should be recorded in a report. (Sample of a monitoring list (PDF)).

³ The appearance of pests does not necessarily mean there is infestation or contamination. Careful  documentation and identification of types of insect will help you find suitable countermeasures. Once contamination has been confirmed, contaminated objects and the areas should be isolated to prevent further spread.  Regardless of which kind of objects are contaminated or which type of pest is involved, a comprehensive plan of action is needed to treat and control the situation. Reaction should be in suitable relation to the level of contamination and the related further risks. All countermeasures and treatment actions should be documented.

⁴ See IPM-Program and Monitoring

Pests
Insects comprise a large portion of the global animal population. However, only some insects pose a threat to cultural heritage materials. Insects develop in stages: egg, larvae, pupa (cocoon) to adulthood. The full life cycle can last between one week and several years depending on insect type, food and surrounding conditions.
Insect infestation may be determined by a visual check or by monitoring insect traps. Various types of traps may be used depending on the type of insect, such as stand-up traps, adhesive traps, traps featuring pheromones and other attractants or light traps (with or without UV light), in order to demonstrate the presence of harmful insects.

Rodents are the largest groups of mammal-based pests, the most common of which are rats and mice.  The presence of rodents is in direct relation to the availability of food. Rodent infestation can be determined by the presence of rodent excrement or seeing the rodents themselves, seeing signs of gnawing or by smell. Evidence of rodent presence may be determined by the use of rodent capturing systems such as non-poisonous lures (lures may also attract harmful insects) or rodent traps.

Fungi are also another key cause of damage to cultural heritage materials. In optimal conditions, fungi grow very rapidly and cause great damage within a short time.
Indications of fungi growth include a visual inspection or smell and appear in the form or white or coloured spots on material surfaces. Treatment always depends on the extent of outbreak, level of damage and type of objects affected.

Photosynthetic organisms are algae and lichens which colonize on rocks outdoors; they also may spread on a wide range of indoor surfaces including glass, wood and metals.
Presence of algae features green or dark brown spots on moist surfaces.
Lichens form rounded crusty or bushy coloured spots several millimeters or centimeters in size that often have a leathery appearance. Treatment of algae and lichens always depends on the extent of outbreak, level of damage and type of objects affected.

Bacteria easily adapt to the most varied of environments. They multiply extremely quickly and reproduce at a rapid rate. Bacteria’s development relies heavily on the presence of water in connection with the moisture content of material.  A mere visual inspection of bacteria is not sufficient to determine its presence; in some situations you’ll notice unpleasant odours in connection to the presence of bacteria.
Evidence of bacteria should be conducted by taking samples and cultivation in a laboratory following a specific biological protocol.

Literature
DIN EN 16790 „Erhaltung des kulturellen Erbes – Integrierte Schädlingsbekämpfung (IPM) zum Schutz des kulturellen Erbes“