Our goal is to be the most comprehensive source of information and support for those implementing integrated pest management policies and procedures in collections-holding and cultural heritage institutions.
Up to 54% of collections have reported damage from pests. Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is a proactive preventive approach that dramatically reduces pests in your building and increases safety to staff and visitors by reducing the use of pesticides, which saves your institution money in the long-term.
Tips for Use
The site’s first four sections (prevention, monitoring, identification, solutions) cover issues in developing, implementing, and managing an IPM plan for your institution – whatever your collection type. Each element is explained with detailed information, samples of documents and forms, and links that you can follow to access even more resources.
- PREVENTION – Implementing IPM & preventing pest access
- MONITORING – Monitoring & tracking pest populations
- IDENTIFICATION – Identifying potential pest threats
- SOLUTIONS – Treating outbreaks in the safest manner possible
- RESOURCES – Additional resources pertaining to IPM
- CONFERENCES – Content from major IPM conferences
- BLOG – Updates on MuseumPests-Working Group activities
- FAQ – Answers to common questions
- ABOUT US – Learn about the group behind MuseumPests.net
You can also use the Search feature on the main menu bar to find resources from throughout the site related to your search topic.
ANNOUNCEMENTS :
SUPPORT MuseumPests.net and the PestList!
MuseumPests is an all volunteer effort. But we raise funds when major upgrades to this site are needed. Our Webmaster/ Programmer Leon Zak has kept us running for 19 years. Your online donation or purchase of MuseumPests swag will support the site, keeping resources freely available for the cultural heritage IPM community. Read more about our fundraising campaign.
MuseumPests 2022 Virtual Meeting
Despite our hopes, the 2022 MuseumPests Working Group meeting will be virtual again this year March 1-3, 2022. However, after the success of the the 2021 virtual meeting we are confident that it will be a productive session with some benefits in allowing colleagues near and far to safely participate. We plan a second Public Presentation Session of short updates on a range of IPM topics. The call for presentations will be posted soon to the PestList. Read about the 2021 presentations on our Conferences page or access the videos from our YouTube channel or MuseumPests Facebook page.
Noteworthy
Did you know that around 30 people get together every year to update MuseumPests and develop new resources? Read more about the group on the About Us section of the site and our Blog. Since its inception, the group behind the site called itself the Integrated Pest Management Working Group (IPM-WG). As of our March 2019 meeting we officially changed our name to the MuseumPests Working Group (MP-WG). We aren’t just for the benefit of museums but it is a catchier name than the Museum, Library, Archive, Historic House and Collection-holding IPM Working Group (MLAHHCHIPM-WG) and it means that we don’t have to describe that we are the group behind MuseumPests.net!
MuseumPests is Social
Want to keep up with MP-WG activities and members? Check out our social media presence on Twitter @MuseumPests, Instagram @museumpests, Facebook and visit the MuseumPests YouTube channel to view the curated playlists of videos on IPM topics. If you have a post or video that you’d like to add, contact our social media team at social@museumpests.net.
U.K. & European IPM Working Group Updates
Purchase tickets for the 2021 Pest Odyssey conference. Listen to a recording of the papers presented at the Pest Odyssey Network’s July 2020 open meeting centered around the theme Pest Off with COVID and Other Stories.
Access the postprints and posters from 4th international conference on Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Stockholm, Sweden, 21-23 May 2019.
Integrated Pest Management for Cultural Heritage by David Pinniger. A practical, color-illustrated, working handbook for the curator, conservator and all persons concerned with the management of collections. It is an essential guide to the recognition of insect, rodent and bird pests with advice on the practical steps required to prevent and control damage to collections. Available from Archetype Publications.
IPM and Health & Safety Resources
The American Institute for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works (AIC) and the Society for the Preservation of Natural History Collections (SPNHC) have joined forces in publishing Health and Safety for Museum Professionals. Available from University Products, the book contains useful information on pesticide hazards.
Search the PestList Archives
Find answers to common questions using our PestList archive – http://www.mail-archive.com/pestlist@museumpests.net
Call for Images
The MuseumPests Image Library is always interested in adding images of pests, damage to museum collections as well as IPM activities in progress. If you have any you are willing to share, please submit them via our image submissions page.
Sponsorship & Participating Institutions
We are grateful for the generous sponsorship of the organizations that helped fund the creation of this website as well as the support of the participating institutions whose staff has contributed time, talent and resources to build & maintain this site.