Benedictine Monastery Battles Bug Infestation Threatening Historical Books
Over the years, countless historic books have faced danger from a surge of large bugs that, if left unchecked, could threaten these valuable records.
According to reports, the Pannonhalma Archabbey in Hungary, a Benedictine monastery, is currently engaged in efforts to rescue books from drugstore beetles. These pests have been particularly problematic.
Around 100,000 handbound volumes are undergoing removal by repair teams, who are then initiating a disinfection process aimed at eliminating the bugs nestled within the pages.
Emergency Measures Called for Due to Insect Intrusion
This beetle infestation was discovered at a UNESCO World Heritage Site that houses approximately 400,000 books. Zsófia Hajdu, who oversees the project, expressed to the media that she had never encountered such a significant infestation before.
“It’s an extensive insect invasion that has made its presence known in multiple areas of the library, which means the entire collection is now considered infected and needs simultaneous handling,” Hajdu remarked.
Drugstore beetles, often referred to as tobacco beetles, are well-known for their association with tobacco products.
As stated by Oklahoma State University, these adult beetles are typically yellow to reddish-brown in color, have an oval shape, and measure about 1/10 inch in length. They can easily penetrate leather bindings.
These beetles inflict damage to pages and bindings by consuming the paste used in book production, as noted on the OSU website.
Pannonhalma Archabbey, which has roots dating back to 996—just four years prior to Hungary’s establishment—boasts the nation’s oldest and most significant collection of books, including a complete Bible from the 13th century.
Ilona Asvanyi, the library’s director, shared with reporters that entering the building always makes her feel a deep sense of humility.
“When I encounter books that have been damaged by beetles or have been infected, I feel a sense of loss regarding our culture, no matter how many copies might exist or how replaceable they may be,” Asvanyi reflected.
