Category Archives: Workshops & Training

IPM-Working Group, WG Meetings, Workshops & Training

IPM Working Group Meeting 2019 PROGRAM ANNOUNCEMENT

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Hosted by Insects Limited and the Indianapolis Museum of Art

March 13 – 15, 2019

Insects Limited has been a long-time supporter of the IPM Working Group (IPM-WG) and we are excited to bring our 2019 program to the mid-west with meetings at the Insects Limited offices as well as the Indianapolis Museum of Art (Newfields).

The IPM-WG meetings are designed to help institutions with active IPM programs by bringing individuals together to tackle projects related to pest-related challenges. All information resulting from these collaborations are placed on the MuseumPests.net website for the benefit of the cultural heritage community. We also welcome conservators and pest management professionals providing pest remediation services as well as entomologists, facility managers and others interested in collaborating on our projects.

The program is scheduled for 2.5 days, beginning the afternoon of March 13th, with a half day of tours and talks by the staff of Insects Limited at their offices and labs. This is an opportunity to dive into the subjects of museum pest research, monitoring and pheromones! The program will be complemented by presentations from participants on projects and new developments in their home institutions. This pre-session will replace the short presentations previously offered during our meeting, allowing us more time to work collaboratively over the subsequent days.

On March 14-15 we will revert to the traditional IPM-WGschedule focusing on further development of the online content for the MuseumPests.net website. We will be hosted by the Conservation Science department of the Indianapolis Museum of Art and we will have the opportunity for behind the scenes tours of their labs and facilities, as well as an IPM related tours of art storage areas and the historic Lilly House on the Newfields campus.

There is no fee for attending the program; however, participants are responsible for their own travel, room, and board. Additionally, participants are expected to take on an assignment that will result in content for the MuseumPests.net website. The two-and-a-half-day program is by invitation only as space is limited.

To request a spot please RSVP by e-mailing: chair@museumpests.net including: “IPM-WG 2019 Meeting” in the subject line. Your request must include:

  • Name
  • Address (Company/institution)
  • Phone #
  • E-mail

RSVP’s will be accepted through March 1st, 2019 or until spots are filled. Priority will be given to returning participants on a first-come, first-served basis and to new participants who are actively involved in an IPM program in their institution.

Please note: The IPM-WG meetings do not teach IPM andare only appropriate for individuals working with an active IPM program. A two-day workshop teaching the basics of IPM for museums, libraries and historic homes will be offered at Insects Limited’s facility prior to the meeting. Please look for more information on the MuseumPests.net homepage and blog in early 2019.

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Allied Organizations, Historic Sites & Structures, Workshops & Training

Historic New England shares innovative approach to pest management

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On November 16, Historic New England’s Haverhill, Massachusetts-based collection services team hosted a sold-out program on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) for museum professionals, interested members, and colleagues from all over New England.

The presentations featured entomologist Pat Kelley, vice president of Insects Limited, LLC, and Adam Osgood, collections technician for Historic New England. Pat presented a fascinating look at the history of IPM and its application in museum settings. He followed that with a riveting, up-close summary of our top insect pests, their behavior, and the damage to watch for, using real specimens, microscopes, and an identification quiz.

Adam’s presentation covered the new IPM initiatives that Historic New England implemented this season, including increased staff time, innovative strategies, and the testing of new products. Many of these new efforts were inspired by what Adam learned at the International IPM Conference held at the Louvre Museum in Paris in September 2016.

These experimental initiatives include an “IPM Champion” program, in which pheromone trap monitoring and data consolidation are used to identify pest activity, along with targeted, informed cleaning to remediate the problem. Historic New England designated staff who were trained in IPM practice, proper collection handling, and preventive conservation of objects to execute this program.

Another innovative tactic Adam tested this season was the use of insecticide-impregnated mosquito netting as a barrier against museum pests. This technology is used effectively on a global scale in developing nations to control mosquito-borne illnesses. Early results from the netting combined with entomological lab testing by Pat Kelley show great potential against museum pests. Historic New England’s findings on this material represent the first documented effective use of the product for this purpose in the United States and probably the first successful application against wood-boring beetle species internationally.

The program also included three small-group breakout sessions. Nicole Chalfant, collection manager for Historic New England, gave a behind-the-scenes look into our collection storage, highlighting parts where IPM is challenging. Pat ran a workshop on trap monitoring, and Adam led a tour of the Controlled Atmosphere Treatment facility including an up-close look at actual collection items with pest damage.

The capacity crowd of fifty was lively and engaged, affirming that Historic New England remains a leader in IPM for the region.

This information is re-posted from the Historic New England Blog with permission 

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