Hungary's Oldest Library Races to Save 100,000 Books from Beetle Infestation
In Hungary, the 1,000-year-old Pannonhalma Archabbey is undertaking a massive preservation effort to save 100,000 historic books from a drugstore beetle infestation. Restorers are placing the books, some centuries old, into hermetically sealed bags filled with pure nitrogen for six weeks to suffocate the insects, which feed on the bookbinding glue. Experts believe the infestation was worsened by climate change, as rising temperatures allow the beetles to have more reproductive cycles annually, posing a growing threat to cultural heritage worldwide.
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Drugstore beetles primarily target the organic materials in books, such as glue in the bindings, leather covers, and sometimes the paper itself. Their larvae chew and burrow holes, leaving behind frass (excrement), cocoons, and dead adults, which can cause significant structural and aesthetic damage to valuable books and manuscripts.
Nitrogen treatment is favored because it suffocates insects without introducing moisture or chemicals that could harm delicate, centuries-old materials. Alternative methods like freezing or heating can risk physical damage, especially if the books have high moisture content, while insecticides may not penetrate deeply enough or could contaminate historic artifacts.
Rising temperatures linked to climate change allow drugstore beetles to reproduce more frequently, increasing their populations and extending the periods during which they are active. This intensifies infestation risks, making it harder to manage and protect vulnerable collections of books and cultural heritage items.
Libraries and archives can regularly inspect collections, maintain strict cleanliness, and control environmental conditions (like temperature and humidity) to deter pests. Storing items in airtight containers and promptly addressing spills or organic debris also help. Periodic monitoring for early signs of infestation is crucial for timely intervention.