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Insect prevention
Freezing of specimens periodically (e.g. 6 monthly intervals) is a good alternative. The herbarium packets are sealed inside large plastic bags and frozen for 72 hours. Upon removing the frozen packets allow them an hour or two to slowly warm to room temperature before removing them from the plastic bag. This should ensure that specimens due not absorb any moisture, but it is a good idea to check some specimens for any rehydration. If found, rehydrated specimens can be removed from their packet and put on an air drier for an hour or until dry once again.
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Silverfish and small beetles and other insects can soon destroy herbarium specimens. The specimens and their packets need to be frozen or fumigated before putting them in the herbarium to kill any potential insect pests. After that it is best to have a regular routine for preventing insect damage. Methods used in Herbaria include enclosure of insecticides such as mothballs (naphthalene) in the packets containing specimens, and/or periodic fumigation with chemicals such as methyl bromide. These methods are not well favoured now due their detrimental effect on
health and environment. 
