Silverfish Abatement in a Library

Silverfish & the Affected Library A History Sightings Search Conclusions Drawn

Why Worry? Danger Posed by Silverfish Silverfish damage Potential to infest the Libraries’ collections

Silverfish Habits Prefer warm, humid environments Shun light Silverfish are THIGMATIC they like tight places & dusty cracks

Silverfish Tastes Enjoy starch & proteins Gourmands: prefer to eat high quality papers over lignin containing papers

Silverfish & Water Don’t drink water but derive moisture from water vapor, moisture in materials, and molecular water in structural chemicals such as cellulose Adults and nymphs attracted to food because of high moisture content

Some Buildings are Silverfish Friendly Steam fed Doors open to patios Carpeted

Integrated Pest Management to the Rescue Focus is prevention with an emphasis on: climate control building inspection and maintenance good housekeeping & cleanliness good collection storage routine monitoring for pests

Integrated Pest Management (IPM) vs. Fumigation Fumigation Bomb, kill, destroy Use of highly toxic chemicals IPM Emphasis on prevention Creates an environment that is unattractive to pests

Emergency Action Taken in Affected Library Freeze kill infected collection materials Clean-up of infested area Carpet cleaning Baseboard treatment

IPM Program for Affected Library Building Inspection Improved Housekeeping: Custodial service Improved Housekeeping: Library Staff Routine Pest Monitoring Annual Walk Through Quarterly Baseboard Treatment

IPM in Affected Library to Date: Facilities Habitat search with IPM specialist Special attention to patios, roof lines, door seals Actions taken: Basement clean-up Door seals on patios improved Patios & roofline treated

IPM in Affected Library to Date: Housekeeping —Custodial Services Stepped up program of edge-cleaning Daily trash removal from patios

IPM in Affected Library Your Contribution: Housekeeping—Library Staff Participation and cooperation from Library staff is an essential component of IPM. Other efforts will have little impact without your help.

Please Insure That Collection Materials are Up off the Floors

Whenever Possible Please Discard Old Boxes Remove books from boxes on arrival Collapse and remove boxes from building the same day

Please Restrict Food to the Kitchen

Please Take Your Breaks & Eat Lunch Away From Your Desk

Celebrate in the Staff Room, on Patios, Or, Outside Meyer

Please Keep Patios Clean

And Please Remove Plants – Real, Dried, or Imitation – From Staff Areas

Anything Preventing You From Accomplishing This?