Silverfish Abatement in a Library

Silverfish & the Affected LibraryA 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 Buildingsare

Silverfish Friendly

• Steam fed

• Doors open to patios

• Carpeted

Integrated Pest Managementto 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. FumigationFumigation• Bomb, kill, destroy• Use of highly toxic chemicals

IPM• Emphasis on prevention• Creates an environment that is unattractive to

pests

Emergency Action Takenin 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?