139 
INSECT PESTS 
Beetles 
Beetles are best controlled by fumigation, whether they be carpet 
beetles or of the wood-boring type. In the case of the latter, “worm- 
holes” in the wood, accompanied by grains of freshly extruded dust, may 
be taken as indicative of their presence. Carpet beetles are generally 
first suspected by the finding of a shed larval skin or a living larva, and in 
other cases the adult beetles themselves are found. Beetles of the wood- 
boring type may also be destroyed by filling the pores of the infected 
specimen with the celluloid in acetone solution. 
Cockroaches 
Cockroaches are very easily controlled. Sodium fluoride, a white 
powder, is sprinkled along the baseboards and radiator pipes where the 
cockroaches are usually found. The powder adheres to their legs and feet 
and they are poisoned in their attempts to clean themselves. Sodium 
fluoride retains its strength indefinitely and so may be left in position as 
long as desired. It should be kept away from children and domestic pets. 
Clothes Moths 
Clothes moths are probably the most dangerous insect pest to be 
considered in museum work. They will attack practically any specimen 
of animal origin, though some materials are preferred to others. It is to 
be borne in mind that the damage is done by the grub or larva and 
not by the adult insect, though these should always be killed on sight. 
Clothes moths on the wing are notoriously difficult to catch, and when 
handling specimens which are known to be infected it is a good thing to have 
a wire-mesh fly-swatter handy, as they seldom escape from one so armed. 
Normally the eggs hatch out 7 to 10 days after being laid, but the life 
of the larva which does the damage varies greatly in length in different 
individuals, its duration depending on food supply, humidity, and tempera- 
ture. The insects in both larval and adult forms are negatively phototropic 
and instinctively make for the darkest corner available when light is turned 
on them. 
Specimens that have been well cleaned before being stored and that 
are kept in moth-proof storage cases with a liberal supply of naphthalene 
flakes will seldom be attacked. Specimens which on receipt show signs of 
having been infected at some time in the past, even though it may have 
been months or years before, should be very carefully cleaned and then 
fumigated before being stored. If specimens are seen to be actually 
infected by living clothes moths they should first be fumigated, then 
thoroughly cleaned, especially in seams, corners, and inside, then refumi- 
gated and stored. 
Careful and frequent inspection is the price of immunity from this 
most dangerous and persistent pest. If there is any doubt as to the safety 
of a case, whether on exhibition or in storage, it is well to spray in a little 
formalin with an atomizer; if any insects are there, they will soon show 
themselves. 
