Basic Control of Typical High Risks

Strategies, activities, and infrastructure

Dehumidify to below 75% RH in seasons of warm humid weather (particularly during the summer months), and preferably to below 65% RH for year-round storage. Lower humidity strongly limits growth potential. Lower temperature and low humidity swings further limit growth in other seasons. A refrigeration-based dehumidifier will be adequate if its capacity exceeds or matches the room volume and the room is closed to the outside environment.

Strategies, activities, and infrastructure

Eliminate easy access to all foodstuffs. Use pest-resistant containers to protect vulnerable objects. Schedule an annual visual inspection for signs of insect activity in stored collections in late summer or autumn. Respond to these findings with control methods such as bagging or using a household chest freezer. Quarantine and possible treatment is advisable for new acquisitions. An annual low-temperature treatment is advised for chronically exposed, high-vulnerability items (e.g. furs on interpretive display in historic houses).

Strategies, activities, and infrastructure

Eliminate easy access to foodstuffs. Close all exterior gaps, leaving no opening larger than 5 mm.

Shield vents with heavy gauge, non-corroding wire mesh. Do not compromise critical ventilation by sealing it with panels, ensure air flow remains adequate. Ensure attic and foundation gaps are also closed to at least 5 mm to prevent climbing or burrowing mammals from entering the building. Late autumn entry into buildings by rodents seeking winter shelter is a common behaviour, so pay attention to signs of rodent activity in this period. Respond with a trapping program combined with improved enclosure of the building, to reduce internal rodent population.

Strategies, activities, and infrastructure

Repair, close, or install wire mesh on all exterior gaps used by bats and birds to enter a building (leave no opening larger than 5 mm, as per rodents). Use bird netting to block access to exterior roosting sites. Block potential nesting sites, but be sensitive to the animal's nesting dates if it is a protected species. Canadian laws protect bats and songbirds from human predation. While local regulations may allow removal from private property, species under pressure benefit from undisturbed breeding seasons, after which enclosure of a nesting space can take place. Likewise, winter hibernation of bats should also not be disturbed; therefore, close the roost's entries during April, or any time from October to November (Strang and Dawson 1991b).

CCI Technical Bulletin Nº 29.