Hi Heather, We have used phosphine frequently (prophylactically) over the past ~50 years (we have never had any capability for low temperature treatment, though we will soon). We have not noticed any ill effects on our specimens, and DNA has been successfully extracted from toepads, feathers, etc. Phosphine was chosen because it kills all life stages and is not residual, and we have had good results with it and keeping pests at bay over the yeras. Although it is non-residual and can be used on even on food products (it is used here on stored grain), phosphine (we used aliminium phosphide tablets) is super lethal, so you need to make sure that you have adequate facilities to make sure you can use it safely. Happy to chat more about it if you’d like.
Cheers, Tonya ------------------------------------------------- Dr Tonya M. Haff Collection Manager Australian National Wildlife Collection CSIRO +61(0)419569109 https://www.csiro.au/en/about/facilities-collections/collections/anwc From: 'Doyle, Heather' via MuseumPests <pestlist@googlegroups.com> Sent: Friday, July 12, 2024 6:50 AM To: pestlist@googlegroups.com Subject: [PestList] fumigation using phosphine Hi Everyone, I would like some advice on treating a Bison and Eagle taxidermy mount. The eagle and bison will be going into an exhibit next year. I have a standing Bison mount that has been siting (covered) outside for years. I need to make sure there is no pest are on it before bringing it into the museum. The bison stands 90” tall x 102” wide and 50” deep. The eagle is mounted with its wings out. The wingspan is about 6 feet long. I have considered freezing and doing an Anoxic treatment on them, however both their size is a problem. I contacted Insect limited and they confirmed that the size of the bison mount would make Anoxic treatment very difficult. I am considering a standard fumigation using phosphine for both mounts? I have been told that the gas does not react at all with animal-based fibers. I would like to know if anyone have used this method and how were the results. Were there any damage that resulted from using phosphine. Is there a different fumigation that anyone would suggest, I investigate and research? Heather Doyle -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pestlist+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com<mailto:pestlist+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com>. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/SA1PR09MB75517CC359D571F73D4B444C81A52%40SA1PR09MB7551.namprd09.prod.outlook.com<https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/SA1PR09MB75517CC359D571F73D4B444C81A52%40SA1PR09MB7551.namprd09.prod.outlook.com?utm_medium=email&utm_source=footer>. -- You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "MuseumPests" group. To unsubscribe from this group and stop receiving emails from it, send an email to pestlist+unsubscr...@googlegroups.com. To view this discussion on the web visit https://groups.google.com/d/msgid/pestlist/ME2PR01MB5508064568D075DC4ECABFC0EEA62%40ME2PR01MB5508.ausprd01.prod.outlook.com.
