Again, mold is a function of temperature, relative humidity and time. In a warm, moist environment mold appears rapidly. However, lower the relative humidity 25 percent and it will take 90 days for mold to appear. According to IPI's research, mold will not grow below 65 percent RH, below 30 degrees Fahrenheit or above 110 degrees Fahrenheit. The likelihood of insect attack is affected by too many factors, such as maintenance and cleanliness, to create an effective model.
Some insects require mold to be present at the start of an infestation.
Most museum insects are less active in dry environments. Conversely, they flourish in warm, moist environments. Tom Strang of CCI has used research on specific insects' kill temperatures to develop non-chemical eradication techniques. All biological decay is deterred by lower relative humidities. Mechanical Deterioration Fluctuating relative humidity and temperature stress materials.