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

Posted by Susan R Walter on 23-09-2006 14:20
#9

Ventilated is good, but not too warm Nigel. The issue is relative humidity and the rule of thumb for controlling it to a suitable level for collections is to keep the temperature of the room at about 5 degrees C higher than the outside temperature, but no higher than 18 degrees in winter and 22 degrees in summer, and no lower than 5 degrees at any time. This can be fairly simply achieved these days with a thermostat which switches an oil or convection heater on and off automatically, and by making sure curtains are closed during hot spells. Because your boxes will to a large extent have a microclimate of their own, Chris's suggestion of a little packet of silica gel in each box will ensure there are no damaging fluctuations of RH. The best silica gel is Artsorb, which can be obtained from http://www.conser...ign.co.uk/. Silica gel lasts pretty much indefinitely, but does need to be conditioned ie before you put it in the boxes, leave it somewhere with a suitable RH for a few weeks so that it equalises, and re-condition it every so often - perhaps in conjunction with your checking for insect damage cycle that Robert suggested.