Fright at the museum... pests take over
THE British Museum is battling an insect invasion after the absence of visitors in lockdown created the perfect conditions for pests.
And curators fear birds and rats could also put the museum’s priceless artefacts at risk.
Dust, usually unable to settle thanks to the tramping feet of visitors, is making an ideal environment for beetles, woodworm and moth larvae.
So the museum has hired a pest manager to secure its extraordinary collections – in excess of eight million objects spanning two million years of human history.
A spokesman said yesterday: “The collection is housed in a splendid but old and complex building. Visitors play their part in controlling the humidity and dust levels that create environments for pests to thrive.” They said the museum, founded in central London in 1753, has brought in Adrian Doyle, a specialist “integrated pest manager”, to lead the fight.
Mr Doyle said larvae of webbed moths pose a threat to the fabrics and textiles in the collection.
And woodworms, moths and carpet beetles are an even greater threat to the institution’s treasures.
Looking to also keep birds and rodents at bay, he said gallery staff had undertaken increased deep cleaning.
However, the museum has avoided using rodent poison, to prevent mice and rats dying in unreachable spaces.
The museum spokesman added: “The care of the collection is of utmost importance.”
According to its website, the museum is preparing to reopen after closing its doors in March. Last year it attracted more than six million visits.