Storing paints, varnishes and cleaning agents near artwork is both a fire hazard and the cause of many damaging accidental spills. Insects Insects cause a wide range of damage to paintings. Drops of fly excrement, known as flyspecks, are so acidic that small holes occur in the upper layers of varnish and paint, leaving permanent loss on the painting surface. Keep doors and windows closed or screened to minimize this problem. Routine housekeeping will help to attack glue and size layers on paintings.
Woodboring insects can also damage panel paintings, frames and stretcher bars.
All incoming artwork containing wood should be inspected for insect activity to avoid the potential spread of insect infestation. Individual wood pieces can be safely treated by a conservator to eradicate pests without the use of harmful chemical agents. The conditions in which paintings are stored can be a major source of both structural and cosmetic damage. Ideally, in any large collection there should be dedicated storage spaces for paintings. A system based on vertical screens is preferable, as it allows for easy viewing with minimal handling and serves to protect the frames as well as the paintings.