Lecture 8 Deterioration Caused by Rodents

Transcription

1 INFS 423 Preservation of Information Resources Lecture 8 Deterioration Caused by Rodents Lecturer: Prof. Harry Akussah & Mr. Michael Allotey, Contact Information: mallotey@ug.edu.gh, hakussah@ug.edu.gh College of Education School of Continuing and Distance Education 2015/ /2018

2 Lecture Overview In the previous lectures, you learnt about fungus and insect infestations of information centers and the damages that result. These infestations are bad enough but there is a third biological infestation that also cause considerable damage. This is the damage caused by rodents. In this lecture, I will introduce you to the impact of the activities of rodents, specifically mice and rats on information resources. I shall be discussing with you how they announce their presence, the damages they cause, how to prevent their infestation and how to eradicate them from our centers if they do infest. Slide 2

3 Lecture Outline The key topics to be covered in the lecture are as follows: Topic One: What Rodents are Topic Two: Types of Rodents Topic Three: Damages Caused by Rodents Topic Four: Prevention of Rodents Topic Five: Extermination of Rodents Slide 3

4 Reading List Akussah, H. (2011). Preservation of Documents. Department of Information Studies, Legon, NAB Superior Services. Gorman, G. E., & Shep, S. J. (2006). Preservation management for libraries, archives and museums. London: Facet Pub. Adcock, E.P. (2000). Principles for the care of handling of Library Materials. Washington, D.C., IFAPAC. Swartburg, S. G. (1983). Conservation Library. A Handbook of use and care of traditional materials. Connecticut: Greenwood Press, Feather, J. (2004). Managing preservation for libraries and archives: current practice and future developments. Aldershot, Hants, England, Ashgate Publishing. Slide 4

5 Topic One WHAT ARE RODENTS Slide 5

6 What are Rodents Rodents are small warm blooded animals some of which are edible. It is said that in our major cities, the rodent population is more numerous than human population. Because they are rarely seen, it is difficult to realize that rodents are so abundant. Their attack on paper poses one of the most difficult problems in preservation. It has been stated that rodent damage may have affected as much as 20% of the total world s books. Once they settle in a building, they are difficult to dislodge. Slide 6

7 Topic Two RODENTS OF CONCERN Slide 7

8 Rodents of Concern Rats Mice Squirrels Slide 8

9 Rodents Attractions Accumulation of waste or debris Spilt food particles Pools of water Dark and damp basements Research Finding: Average distance travelled for its activities is 30ft radius. Slide 9

10 Activity 1 Identify and visit an information center. Go round the surroundings and identify possible features or activities that can attract or harbor rodents. Slide 10

11 Symptoms/ Indications of their Presence The presence of rodents is indicated if papers or boxes appear chewed or damaged Their droppings may be found in the corners of the storage area. Nibbled materials may also be on the floor or the shelves; and Sometimes, noises can be heard from rodents nesting or moving about. Rodents do not take in paper documents; they use it for their nests. Slide 11

12 Topic Three DAMAGES CAUSED BY RODENTS Slide 12

13 Damages Caused by Rodents Rodents can cause great damage to documentary materials: They can nibble at documents, chew and break them into pieces or even carry them away. Rodents such as rats and mice can eat documentary materials and use papers to build nests. Slide 13

14 Damages Caused by Rodents They also chew electrical insulations, which can result in short circuits and fire outbreaks. Their droppings are abrasive and corrosive and can cause scratches on documents resulting in illegibility. Their urine can stain documents and can also introduce uric acid directly into the documents. Slide 14

15 Topic Four PREVENTIVE MEASURES Slide 15

16 Preventive Measures The best protection against rodents is to deny them access by sound building construction, tight screens, and by sealing all holes in foundation, walls, particularly around water and sewer pipes and gas mains. Conditions encouraging procreation of rodents should be eliminated. Dark, damp basements, pools of water, accumulations of waste and debris, and spilled food particles in eating areas all attract these pests. Slide 16

17 Preventive Measures It is wise to inspect the building and storage areas thoroughly for possible entry points and close these off. Screens should be placed over windows and doors, if possible, to reduce points of entry. Good housekeeping practices should be followed. Periodical fumigation. A library cat and mouse scares can serve as deterrents. Slide 17

18 Topic Five EXTERMINATION OF RODENTS Slide 18

19 Extermination of Rodents Once infestation is discovered, an exterminator must be called. The chemicals used to kill rodents are particularly poisonous and must be used by trained personnel. The most powerful rodenticides are the Cynide Dust and Flake of Naphitalene. Since rodents do not chew the documents, the rodenticides are usually mixed with food to attract them. Once they take it in and it gets into their digestive system, they die. Baited traps can also be used apart from using the capsule rodenticides. Slide 19

20 Extermination of Rodents If rodents are in a building, they are best caught using traps. Poisons will kill rodents, but if the dead rodent cannot be traced quickly, the decomposing carcass can attract other rodents, thus worsening the problem. It will be necessary to close an infested library for a period of time to ensure effective treatment. Slide 20

21 Activity 2 Visit the nearest pest control office or veterinary shop. Ask and list the names of all rodenticides available. Slide 21

22 Summary You have successfully completed this session of the course. You have learned Indication of the Presence of rodents. Damages caused by rodents The prevention of rodent infestation, and Extermination of rodents Slide 22

23 References Akussah, H. (2011). Preservation of Documents. Department of Information Studies, Legon, NAB Superior Services. Gorman, G. E., & Shep, S. J. (2006). Preservation management for libraries, archives and museums. London: Facet Pub. Slide 23