Silverfish infestation prompts urgent measures at Museum Kolding in Denmark

A fresh piece of tissue paper with strange holes and scratch marks was the first sign that silverfish had invaded Museum Kolding. When museum curator Conni Ramskov later discovered an archive box with gnaw marks, she realized something was amiss.

“I came to understand that there are these small creatures that eat tissue paper, known as silverfish,” Ramskov explained. Silverfish feed on cellulose-based materials like paper, cardboard, and wallpaper, making museum storage of old boxes and documents a feast for them. Consequently, museums are taking extensive measures to keep these pests out of their archives.

If left unchecked, silverfish can consume letters, obscuring the contents of boxes from archivists. Museum Kolding houses a notable collection of drawings by Sven Hammershøi, and Ramskov warned, “If they eat the surface, you won’t be able to see the drawing anymore; it would be destroyed and irreparable.”

To combat the infestation, Museum Kolding transported its collections to the Vejle Conservation Center for treatment and proper storage. Ramskov noted that their swift action has helped minimize damage. To further prevent the issue, they decided to have the premises sprayed twice a year, with noticeable effectiveness.

Despite ongoing challenges, silverfish continue to emerge. There is no comprehensive data on how many museums have faced silverfish infestations, but a study indicated that around one-third had encountered the problem in 2021. The number has risen as these pests increasingly enter Denmark, especially in shipping boxes from online orders.

Silverfish, a larger cousin of the common silverfish, pose no health risk but can easily hide in cracks and crevices. They are becoming more prevalent in Denmark and, according to Ramskov, they are quite unpleasant, capable of climbing up to two meters high.