In order to control a pest problem, it must be identified properly. Entomologists specialize in insect identification and control. A broken or smashed insect may be impossible to identify. Your entomologist should be able to tell you how to prepare a sample.
Vertebrate animals can soil or destroy artifacts.
Prompt identification of the pest and the use of suitable methods to control it are essential. Chemical Control by John E. Dawson and revised by Thomas J.K. Strang is intended to help museum staff understand commercial pest control operations. It describes chemical methods of controlling insects, and includes information on regulations, modes of action, and application methods necessary for the safe use of insecticides. A detailed guide helps in decision-making about the appropriate chemical method of control.