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SERVICES |
"Frequently Asked Questions" |
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Questions about Pests & Pest Treatments Over the years Alex Roach has presented many workshops and seminars on Insects and Treatments in the highly specialised field of Museums and Galleries. Alex has acquired an extensive knowledge of common problems in these areas, as well as problems that affect ordinary residential locations and people simply trying to preserve and protect memorabilia and items of personal signifgance to themselves. For general information on Pests - Insects and the value and effectiveness of many common treatments please follw the links below. I you would like more detailed information, or have a question that is not fully addressed here then please use the contact details on these pages, or the email form on the contact page to ask a more specific question about your own personal collection or pest treatment needs. Thank you for visiting our web site. |
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Can you permanently protect against damage by insects and pests?
The amount and length of protection against pests given by any treatment depends on 1- The object being treated and 2- The environment it is in. Some items like - coin and note collections - Wedding or Christening dresses - Childrens mementos - Parchments and similar items can be treated and then sealed in an Oxygen Free covering which still allows you to see and to a certain extent handle the item while providing effective protection against pests and environmental damage. This of course can never guarantee that a new pest will not come along and decide the bag itself is a suitable traget, however the presence of a new pest will be quickly obvious and treatment can be immediate to prevent or minimise damage. Regular inspection and care are still required by the owners. Larger items like Paintings - Entire collections - Sculptures & Statues - or collections that are out on public display can be effectively treated to eliminate infestations but sealing them is impractical due to their size or location (buildings are an excellent example). Low Oxygen treatment can be applied to these items but an ongoing monitoring programme and regular checking is necessary to ensure that reinfestation does not occur. Large objects or areas may require treatment using Low or Non Toxic substances rather than Low Oxygen simply due to the scale of the treatment required. Back to the top Is Low Oxygen treatment as effective as conventional chemical treatments? Not only is Low or Zero Oxygen treatment every bit as effective as conventional chemical treatments in both its killing efficiency and in length or treatment - it is significantly SAFER for both the item being treated and for its owners, handlers and those who come into contact with it. Low Oxygen treatment is 100% chemical free. It relies on the simple fact that any living organsim requires Oxygen to survive. While some insects and pests can last extended periods of time in low oxygen environments deprive them of enough oxygen for long enough and they will die. For this reason Low Oxygen treatment can sometimes take longer to apply than chemical treatments, however their ultimate effectiveness is just as certain. Back to the top Why should I call a specialist like Heritage rather than the local Pest controller? The answer to this question is - why do you call a specialist for anything?. When you have a heart attack why do you want a Cardiologist rather than a GP? - Simply because some things are so precious to you that you want to know that the person handling them is knowledgable and capable to do what needs to be done. Treatment of priceless items, or their environment using the wrong or innapropriate methods or chemicals can result in irreversible damage to the item, and this is exactly what you don't want to happen. Public collections have a duty to their collections and to the visitors who come to view them. It is their responsibility to ensure that both the exhibits and the areas around them are as safe as possible. This requires careful treatment with proper substances that are safe for everyone. For the individual who simply wants to preserve or protect their own personal collections, memorabilia or irreplaceable memories the same applies. The selection of the most appropriate treatment is vital to ensure the item is guarded and the health and safety of your family and friends is also protected. Heritage have a strict safety policy which means that if Low Oxygen treatments will not work and a chemical base is needed then a Low or Non Toxic option is the first choice. Heritage refuses to use dangerous or unnecessary chemical compounds under all circumstances. Back to the top |
