Thread subject: Diptera.info :: Curating diptera - HELP MOULD ATTACK!

Posted by Susan R Walter on 22-09-2006 12:50
#4

Nigel

As ever, Chris's advice is spot on. I used to work for a large heritage and nature conservation charity, and some of my colleagues did some very interesting research into collections care issues such as relative humidity and fungal growths.

If you continue to have trouble after following Chris's advice, get in touch and I will give you contact details for a couple of conservators with expertise in this area.

The only thing I can add to what Chris has said is that cellars are tricky in terms of controlling their RH, and dehumidifiers are often just not up to the job - it depends on the construction of the cellar and whether it is also heated as well as the power of the dehumidifier. Also, if you are planning to clean the boxes, don't use any sort of regular household detergent - an amazing number of fungi will happily feed off detergent residue. Wooden boxes have the advantage that they give off gases, to varying degrees depending on the type of wood, which discourage things like fungal growth.