Conserve O Gram

July 1994 Number 3/6

An Insect Pest Control Procedure: The Freezing Process

Temperature reduction is currently used as an The length of exposure to freezing temperatures
effective pest control method for protecting directly relates to the temperature level being
National Park Service collections. It provides employed; and an increased exposure period is
curatorial staff with a good alternative to the required to compensate for infested materials
chemical fumigation method traditionally used by which are well insulated. A survey of the pest
museums. control literature indicates an exposure of 6-10
days at -20 ° C will be sufficient for most
When subjected to freezing temperatures, objects museum pests (Strang 1992). Museum
do not freeze and ice formation does not occur experience and practical tests have shown that
within them; only the living insects possessing two cycles of 48-hour exposures at a minimum
body water are frozen. The procedure, of -20 ° C, as is recommended here, constitutes a
however, is neither simple nor fail-proof and can lethal exposure (Florian 1990).
easily damage objects and natural history
specimens unless exact procedures are followed. Advantages Over Traditional Approaches
The freezing process should not be used on a Traditional methods of pest control have
routine or preventive basis, but only when pest numerous drawbacks for both the museum object
activity is evident or suspected. It is an and the applicator. Commercial pesticides
interventive treatment and should not be contain chemicals which may stain objects or
employed indiscriminately. Its use requires alter their composition. Fumigants are reactive
justification, careful supervision, and thorough chemicals that can produce chemical changes in
documentation. object materials. Insect control procedures that
use toxic chemicals or gases have been shown to
Objects that are considered safe for the freezing present both short-term and long-term health
process include only 1) dry (not waterlogged) hazards to staff who routinely handle or work
objects made entirely of textile, leather, wood, near the materials, and can affect visitors
and paper, and 2) dry natural history specimens exposed to treated objects on display or used in
(those not in fluid solutions). A conservator interpretive programs.
should be consulted to assist curatorial staff in
evaluating the potential for damage before Alternate cycles of freezing and warming to
introducing any objects into a freezing room temperature of infested objects is a non­
atmosphere. chemical method by which insect pests can be
effectively eradicated without presenting a health
Freezing of insect pests can be accomplished hazard. Exposing objects to freezing temper­
with an inexpensive household freezer, since the atures is effective because most museum pests
required temperature level is -20 ° C (-5 ° F). A (such as the dermestid beetle and webbing
chest freezer without a frost-free cycle is clothes moth) are freeze-sensitive rather than
required. freeze-tolerant insects.
National Park Service Conserve 0 Gram 3/6

Potential Drawbacks domestic and commercial freezers can be

used to treat objects safely; the lowest
During the past decade the freezing process has
achievable temperatures are -25 “C (- 13 OF)
been evaluated from the standpoint of its
for domestic chest freezers and -30°C
effectiveness and its potential for causing
(-22 “F) for walk-in freezers.
damage to museum objects. Conservators and
conservation scientists have studied several l Ensure that the freezer does not have a frost-
relevant issues: moisture content changes within free feature. A frost-free freezer allows the
museum objects; cooling rates for various internal temperature to rise periodically to
materials; condensation potential during thawing; remove any accumulated ice crystals. This
and the freeze resistance of museum insect pests. cyclic heating will also allow the objects to
warm up, destroying the effectiveness of the
Research has concluded that not all materials can freezing process. However, a frost-free unit
be safely exposed to -20°C (-5°F). Wet objects can be used in an emergency.
and objects in unstable condition should never be
Monitoring Equipment:
exposed to below-freezing temperatures. Objects
made with components from non-absorbent l Obtain a remote reading thermocouple or
materials (e.g., metal, glass), and objects inexpensive indoor-outdoor thermometer.
containing glues and sensitive finishes (e.g., The temperature sensor should be located
paints, resins) should not be exposed to below- inside the freezer near the object (preferably
freezing temperatures because the materials may between layered objects). The lead wire
react differentially. should be small enough to pass through the
door gasket without causing loss of
Sensitive materials that should never be treated temperature.
include:
Object Enclosures:
1. Canvas and wood-panel paintings
Objects should be sealed in airtight poly-
2. Painted or inlaid wooden objects
ethylene bags in the same room environment
3. Finished furniture
where they were stored. (If an object is
4. Lacquered wooden objects
physically unstable, place it in a box within
5. Objects containing ivory or teeth
the bag for support.)
6. Objects under tension (e.g., drums)
7. Composite objects containing inorganic Use clear polyethylene bags, such as
materials, such as glass, high-fired ceramics, Ziplock’” bags that can be sealed and are
and metal. large enough to hold the object(s) without
physical damage. Clear polyethylene sheet-
Even for those materials which can be subjected
ing (minimum thickness, 3 mil) can be used
to freezing, damage can occur if the freezing
to make large bags. A heat sealer or plastic
procedure is not followed precisely. Moisture
carton sealing tape can be used for closure.
content changes in certain objects can cause
damage through dimensional swelling or Evacuate as much air as possible from the
shrinkage; higher moisture levels and conden- plastic bag before sealing it tightly and
sation can encourage microorganism attack, securely with tape or a heat sealer. A
rotting, and corrosion. variable speed vacuum cleaner can be used
cautiously to remove the air from the plastic
l%e Freezing Procedure bag.
Freezer Selection: Before freezing, keep objects at room
temperature and the relative humidity as
l Select a freezer that will maintain a minimum
close to 50% as possible (RH must be within
temperature level of -20°C (-5” F). Both
the range of 35-65%).

2 An Insect Pest Control Procedure: The Freezing Process

Conserve 0 Gram 3/6 National Park Service

Moisture-Absorbent Material: After 24 hours, remove the object(s) from

the bag, and carefully inspect for any
l When freezing oversized objects or objects damage. Mechanically clean the object with
that include metals, place a moisture- a soft brush and a vacuum with a gentle and
absorbent material inside the bag (or box). regulated suction to remove insect pest
Suitable materials include a small bag of remains as necessary. See NPS Museum
silica gel, a mass of cotton wool, cotton Handbook, Part I (Rev g/90), Appendix K
toweling, or a cotton diaper. (If gel is used, for vacuuming procedure. The object is
ensure it is conditioned to the same RH as the now ready to be returned to exhibit or
object by exposure to the same room storage.
atmosphere for a minimum of one week.)
Objects may be left in their bags for storage
Introducing the Object into the Freezer: if the storage area has effective temperature
and RH controls. Absorbent material may
When placing the bagged object(s) into the
be removed and reused.
already cooled freezer, ensure that adequate
room is left to permit air circulation around
Make needed arrangements for the object’s
each bag to assist in rapid cooling. Be careful
follow-up care as needed, such as further
that damage does not occur if objects are
cleaning and future routine pest inspections.
placed on top of one another.
A conservator should be consulted for advice
both before and after the freezing process.
The object(s) should be left in the freezer for
a minimum of 48 hours during which time
Documenting the Process:
temperatures should remain constant, though
small fluctuations are acceptable. l Ensure that a record of the freezing and
cleaning procedures used is put in the
Removing the Object From the Freezer: object’s catalog folder. Include dates of the
treatment, temperature and equipment used,
Remove the bagged object(s) from the
and any cleaning techniques that were
freezer. Do not remove objects from their
employed. Record when the visual evidence
bags; bags are to remain sealed
or damage was first recognized and include
any photographs taken.
Allow bagged objects to warm to ambient
room temperature for 24 hours. Conden-
l Three texts very useful in the identification
sation should not occur inside the bag but
of pests are:
may occur on the outside of the bag.
National Park Service. Integrated Pest
Objects should be handled with extreme care Management Information Packages.
at all times. Washington, D.C.: National Park Service,
1984.
Repeat Freezing And Warming Process:
Story, Keith. Approaches to Pest
Place the sealed bags back into the freezer Management in Museums. Washington,
after warming. Leave in the freezer for a D.C.: Smithsonian Institution, Conservation
minimum of another 48 hours. Analytical Laboratory, 1985.
Zycherman, Lynda A., and Schrock, J.
After the second freezing cycle, a final
Richard (editors). A Guide to Museum Pest
warming is required. Follow the same
Control. Washington, D.C.: Foundation of
process as before.
American Institute for Conservation of

An Insect Pest Control Procedure: The Freezing Process 3

National Park Service Conserve 0 Gram 3/6
.>
Historic and Artistic Works and the Insect Control. ” ICOM Committee for
Association of Systematics Collection, 1988. Conservation, 8th Triennial Meeting. Sydney,
Australia: International Council of Museums,
Sources
1987.
Thermocouple thermometers, heat-sealing
machines, and polyfilm tubing for use with heat- Florian, Mary-Lou. “The Freezing Process-
sealing machines are available from VWR Effects on Insects and Artifact Materials.”
Scientific, P.O. Box 626, Bridgeport, NJ 08014, Leather Conservation News, Vol. 3, Austin,
(800) 234-9300; Cole-Parmer Instrument Co., Texas: Materials Conservation Laboratory,
7425 N. Oak Park Avenue, Niles, IL 60714- Texas Memorial Museum, 1986.
9930, (800) 323-4340; and McMaster-Carr
Supply Co., P.O. Box 44355 Chicago, IL Florian, Mary-Lou. “Freezing for Museum
60680, (3 12) 833-0300. Insect Pest Eradication. ” Collection Forum,
Vol. 6, Washington, D .C. : Society for the
Freezer thermometers, indoor-outdoor thermo- Preservation of Natural History Collections,
meters, and polyethylene bags and sheeting used 1990.
to wrap larger objects are available from local
hardware and variety stores. Florian, Mary-Lou. “Saga of the Soggy Bag.”
Leather Conservation
News, Vol. 8, Austin,
Ziplock polyethylene bags in sizes from 4” x 4” Texas: Materials Conservation Laboratory,
to 12” x 12” are available to parks from the Texas Memorial Museum, 1992.
National Park Service’s Curatorial Services
Division Supply Program as well as local Kronkright, Dale P. “Experiences With
hardware and variety stores. See NPS Tools of Freezing As a Method of Insect Eradication in
the Trade stock number A45A48. Museum Collections With Emphasis on Wooden
Artifacts. ” AIC Annual Meeting, Wooden
Chest freezers, measuring 5 or 7 cubic feet and Artifacts Group, Washington, D. C. : American
made by Wood, General Electric, and Institute for Conservation of Historic and
Whirlpool, can be purchased from local Artistic Works, 1992.
appliance dealers. Some models also are on the
GSA Federal Supply Schedule. Strang, Thomas J. K. “A Review of Published
Temperatures for the Control of Pest Insects in
References Museums. ” Collection Forum, Vol. 8 (2),
Washington, D.C.: Society for the Preservation
Burke, John. “Current Research Into the
of Natural History Collections, 1992.
Control of Biodeterioration Through the Use of
Thermal or Suffocant Conditions.” AIC News,
Vol. 18, Washington, D.C.: American Institute
Toby Raphael
for Conservation of Historic and Artistic Works,
Ethnographic Materials Conservator
1993.
Division of Conservation
Harpers Ferry Center
Florian, Mary-Lou. “The Effect of the
National Park Service
Fumigant Ethylene Oxide and Freezing Used In
Harpers Ferry, West Virginia 25425

The Conserve 0 Gram series is published as a reference on The series is distributed to all NPS units and is available to non-NPS
collections management and curatorial issues. Mention of a product, institutions and interested individuals by subscription through the
a manufacturer, or a supplier by name in this publication does not Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office,
constitute an endorsement of that product or supplier by the National Washington, D.C. 20402, FAX (202) 512-2233. For further
Park Service. Sources named are not all inclusive. It is suggested information and guidance concerning any of the topics or procedures
that readers also seek alternative product and vendor information in addressed in the series, contact the National Park Service, Curatorial
order to assess the full range of available supplies and equipment. Services Division, Harpers Ferry, WV 25425, (304) 535-6410.

4 An Insect Pest Control Procedure: The Freezing Process