Development of an IPM program in the Vatican Secret Archives

Abstract: Over time, the presence of different species of insects has been recorded in all the premises of the Vatican Secret Archive, almost everywhere, both as occasional guests and as real biodeteriogens. In this work, we describe the strategies implemented in the Vatican Secret Archives for the adoption of an IPM (Integrated Pest Management) project, based on a pest monitoring and on an evaluation program.Following the results of the monitoring, a series of corrective actions have been carried out on infested material and by sanitizing the infested areas. Insect damage occurs when the problem is underestimated and the environmental and sanitary conditions are neglected. Typical are the structural deficiencies in the premises or a lack of the system for promptly detecting the infestations. Fundamental is the training of the internal staff that handles the documents.