Hi there,

Lynsey Haworth from Historic Scotland would appreciate help with the 
following: 'At one of our properties we have several sets of drapes on 
walls.  They are made from viscose chenille, gold thread and 
cotton.There had been lots of rumours about there being a pest problem 
within the drapes, and a pest control company did some investigation and 
found there to be booklice in the drapes, believed to be caused by the 
damp environment.The proposed treatment that they have suggested is a 
heat treatment, where the drapes are heatedin a podto between 54 and 60 
degrees Celsius for approximately one hour, which will kill the booklice 
and any microscopic mould they may be living off of.The humidity is 
monitored during this process and the temperature can be adjusted to 
ensure that the drapes are not put at risk.

Could anyone tell me if they have used a similar method for treating a 
pest problem before? How safe is it to textiles?  I should note that the 
drapes are not historical. They are only about 13 years old, but were 
commissioned especially so are quite expensive and we do not want to 
risk them being damaged.If anyone can offer any adviceor insight into 
this proposed method of treatment I would be very grateful.

*Lynsey Haworth*| Regional Collections Manager (Central)
__________________________________________________
Historic Scotland | Alba Aosmhor
Longmore House, Salisbury Place, Edinburgh, EH9 1SH
t: 0131 668 8641m| 07794 045801
e:[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>
_www.historic-scotland.gov.uk'_ <http://www.historic-scotland.gov.uk/>


If you can help Lynsey, please send your reply directly to her e-mail 
address.

Many thanks,
Tuula Pardoe
Accredited Conservator of Costume and Textiles

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