The following documents have been provided by various members of the museum community. These documents have been vetted by members of the Integrated Pest Management Working Group – Standards & Best Practices committee. They have been chosen for posting as they offer a selection of good ideas or practices. Please remember that these have been created by and for specific institutions and are provided here only for reference as you IPM programs for your institution. Please contact the appropriate institution for clarification or permission to adapt these documents as appropriate.
Document: Protocol for Specimens Entering from the Field
Institution: American Museum of Natural History: Paleontology
Contents: In an effort to keep the lines of communication open between paleontology field sites and a collecting institution, the AMNH Division of Paleontology has developed a policy that outlines the procedures involved when shipping materials to the museum. This policy includes details of what to do when there is evidence of wood boring beetles.Document: What can you do to prevent infestations?
Institution: Canadian Museum of Nature
Contents: Bilingual in English and French, this memo developed by the Canadian Museum of Nature outlines 5 points for staff to follow in efforts to keep spaces free from food that may serve as a pest attractant. Memo was originally distributed to staff along with pest proof containers for use in their cubicles.Document: Pest Management at the CMN
Institution: Canadian Museum of Nature
Contents: This document created by the Canadian Museum of Nature outlines staff responsibilities as they relate to the institutional IPM program and provides information on several pests and the damage they may cause. It also serves as a basic introduction to general IPM practices and ideas.Document: Pesticides and Repatriated Objects
Institution: National Museum of the American Indian – Smithsonian Institution
Contents: This document contains a bibliography of selected resources and presentations pertaining to the topic of pesticides and repatriated objects. As items are returned to tribal communities, past exposure to chemicals and pesticides becomes an issue due to the health risks involved.Document: School Program Guide
Institution: National Museum of the American Indian – Smithsonian Institution
Contents: This guide, distributed to school groups that have made a reservation to visit to the NMAI includes a section which highlights the rules that are in place to 'make sure the entire collection is safe and remains undamaged'. This section, while informational, also acts to educate visitors about collection care techniques, including IPM. Rules are further specified on the 'Planning Your Visit' page which details lunch and chaperone regulations.Document: Food in the Museum Policy
Institution: National Museum of the American Indian – Smithsonian Institution
Contents: This short document, written in 2004, details where food is allowed in NMAI’s Mall Museum and under what circumstances.Document: Summary of IPM Responsibilities
Institution: Natural History Museum London
Contents: This single page document contains bullet points that outline all staff’s individual responsibilities as they relate to the institutional IPM plan. This document is an example of a document that can be distributed as a handout.Document: IPM Poster
Institution: Natural History Museum London
Contents: A good educational poster for non-specialist staff. Provides concise information on what IPM is, as well as the institution’s “zone” system and their IPM signage.Document: If You Notice Live Pests...
Institution: U.S. Army
Contents: This one-page document is designed for museum staff and informs them of the six steps to take if they observe a live pest on an object.Document: Procedures for Collections Materials Suspected of Having Mold
Institution: U.S. Army
Contents: This one-page document is designed for museum staff and informs them of the four steps to take if they suspect that an object has been affected by mold.
