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Various techniques are used to evaluate the risk of infestation or the type of infestation in progress and a suitable biocide solution is chosen that can be 100% effective.
• Evaluation of risk of infestation and health-check of wooden furniture and fittings on client’s premises. The best way to have a precise evaluation of the risks is to verify the exposure of the items to biotic agents.
• Identification of the sources of risk: inspection of any localized or widespread woodworm holes. Even if the holes are ‘inactive’ with no sign of dust they can lead to infestation by woodworm parasites (scleroderma).
• Identification of the potential risks of exposure: the holes are active or require treatment.
• Estimate of the degree of risk: extent of damage that can be caused by an active infestation (for example 6 holes today become 108 holes in 36 months).
Result of evaluation = project for intervention or monitoring
• Liquid
Using an anti-woodworm fluid specifically formulated for restoration work based on permethrin, a derivative of pyrethrum, approved by the Ministry of Cultural Heritage. This liquid is odourless, has low toxicity for man, and works as both an effective insecticide and an excellent preservative that prevents further infestations. It is applied by imbibing the surface of the wood with a brush and injecting it into the woodworm holes. This type of intervention is ideal for medium-scale infestations and are followed up by monitoring to check for the re-appearance of holes or woodworm dust.
• Modified atmosphere (museum standard)
The theory on which this type of intervention is based is that all air-breathing animals require oxygen to survive.
The anoxic treatments are carried out on the client’s premises (this service has never been offered in Venice before now) and consists of sealing the objects to be treated in a special plastic film. Then, using an eco-friendly chemical system, the oxygen is removed. The aim is to create a contained and modified atmosphere (with low oxygen levels) so that the all air-breathing organisms within – be they eggs, larva, pupa or adult – are eradicated.
This methodology is already mature and refined, it is non-polluting and highly effective, it leaves no residues and does not interact with the wood being treated. However, it does leave the object being treated open to new infestations so it is advisable to combine this treatment with the use of protective liquids where necessary. After six weeks the process of disinfestation is complete. This method is used for severely infested items or items that require safeguarding.
• Fumigation
Insecticidal treatment with hydroreaction fumes (no flame) with low levels of toxicity for humans, effective both on flying and crawling insects. Its action is rapid and long-lasting against all kinds of wood- or fabric-attacking insects.
This method is ideal for domestic and civil environments allowing an effective biocide treatment against woodworm, flies, arachnids and dust mites, acting on them both by contact and by ingestion.
The fumes can reach areas that other methods cannot, and do not leave traces nor damage the objects present in the environment to be treated (paintings, books, fabrics, electrical and electronic materials).
• Long-term conservation
Useful in all cases of conservation of small and large items in difficult environments. The multi-barrier film used in the anoxic treatment is also the ideal container for long-term conservation of all materials sensitive to oxygen: paint, wood, paper, fabric and metals. They are also protected from biological agents, dust, damp and atmospheric pollution.
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