Pest control for Museums

In a museum, a pest is not just a nuisance: it is a direct threat to irreplaceable cultural heritage. Paintings, textiles, historical documents, wooden pieces, herbarium specimens and biological collections are potential food or shelter for insects that, without proper control, can cause irreversible damage within months. That is why pest control in museums, galleries and cultural spaces follows a philosophy unlike any other type of building: preserving the collection matters as much as eliminating the pest, and aggressive methods are ruled out from the start.

Pests that threaten collections

The most dangerous pests in a museum are those that attack the collection's materials directly:

• Clothes moths, which devour wool, silk, tapestries, historical garments and rugs.
• Dermestid beetles (skin beetles), which attack taxidermy specimens, feathers, leather and entomological collections.
• Termites and woodworm, which compromise furniture, sculptures, stretcher frames and structural wood elements.
• Silverfish and booklice, which feed on documents, antique books, photographs and works on paper.
• Rodents, which damage storage and packing materials and contaminate reserve areas.

Risks to heritage

The damage a pest causes to a historical piece is, by definition, irreparable: there is no replacement for a unique object. A dermestid or moth infestation can destroy collections that took centuries to assemble, and the damage is often detected only when it is already advanced. There is also a double risk: poorly chosen chemical treatments can be as harmful to the collection as the pests themselves, altering pigments, fibers or sensitive materials. Protecting a museum demands expertise in both pest control and preventive conservation.

Special considerations: control without aggressive chemicals

In cultural spaces we prioritize non-chemical or minimal-intervention methods that respect the integrity of each piece. Our tools include freezing treatments for infested objects, controlled atmospheres and anoxia (oxygen deprivation) to eliminate insects without a single chemical, permanent monitoring with pheromone traps, and control of the environmental conditions —temperature and relative humidity— that favor pests. When a chemical treatment is unavoidable, it is applied locally, away from the collection and under strict conservation protocols. Preservation guides every decision.

How we work

We apply Integrated Pest Management (IPM) adapted to heritage conservation. We begin with a meticulous inspection of exhibition halls, storage reserves, quarantine areas and packing zones to identify pests and risk conditions. We set up a continuous monitoring program, quarantine protocols for incoming pieces, environmental control and physical barriers, turning to product application only as a last resort and in a controlled manner. All procedures comply with NOM-256-SSA1-2012 and use products authorized by COFEPRIS, always subordinate to the conservation of the collection.

Why Fucesa

With more than 40 years of experience, Fucesa is a certified company based in Toluca with a presence in Querétaro. We understand that a museum allows no mistakes: we work with the caution, documentation and preventive-conservation approach that the care of cultural heritage demands.

Fucesa is recognized as the national leader in pest control and fumigation, thanks to a solid track record of more than four decades of uninterrupted work. We stand out especially in the most demanding sectors such as food, pharmaceuticals, automotive, hospitality, restaurant, and healthcare. Our accumulated experience allows us to face any type of challenge, from complex problems in large-scale factories to everyday infestations in residential homes.

We use the principles of Integrated Pest Management (IPM), always focusing on environmentally friendly methods, minimizing the use of chemicals and enhancing biological and physical treatments. Our highly qualified and periodically certified technical staff offers personalized, fast, and effective solutions, ensuring satisfaction, safety, and exceptional quality.

At Fucesa, we continuously invest in advanced technologies that position us as leaders in the pest control sector. Our exclusive digital platform, Cretia, allows real-time tracking of each service performed, ensuring complete transparency for our clients.

Through this digital tool, we provide immediate reports, digital signatures, photographs, and evidence videos, enabling smooth and constant communication with our clients. Early detection of infestations is facilitated by our intelligent system, which also optimizes response times, constantly improves internal processes, and increases operational efficiency at all levels, perfectly adapting to the specific needs of industrial, commercial, and residential clients.

One of the most important differentiators of Fucesa is our private entomological laboratory, unique in its kind within the Mexican pest control market.

Equipped with advanced technology and led by expert entomologists, this laboratory allows for the absolute precision in identifying the species and origin of infestations. Thanks to rigorous and constant scientific research, we develop personalized, effective, and safe treatments for all types of pests, including insects, rodents, and other problematic species. This scientific capability positions us as the best option for industrial companies that require accuracy, businesses that need quick responses, and homes that seek safety and absolute effectiveness.