Imagine centuries-old treasures being destroyed right before your eyes! That’s exactly what’s happening at Hungary’s oldest library in Pannonhalma. Around 100,000 hand-bound books, preserved for centuries, are now on the brink of ruin due to an invasion of drugstore beetles, also known as bread beetles. These tiny but deadly bugs love to feast on starch-based glues found in old books, and the infestation is so severe that the entire collection is infected and must be treated all at once! Restorers are in a frenzy because they’ve never seen such a massive bug invasion before. Books are carefully removed from shelves and placed into airtight plastic bags filled with pure nitrogen for six weeks to suffocate the pests. But that’s just the start — each book will be individually inspected and cleaned, and any damaged ones will be restored. The Pannonhalma Abbey, founded way back in 996 AD, holds the oldest and most important collection of written records in Hungary and all of Central Europe. Library director Ilona Ásványi warns that any damage would be a blow to cultural, historical, and religious heritage. Climate change, with rising temperatures, is only making things worse by creating a perfect environment for these insects to thrive. This isn’t just Hungary’s problem — it’s a wake-up call for all of us who love books and history! Think bugs are just annoying? Think again — they can destroy centuries of knowledge and culture. Ever found a bug in your favorite book? Or got a weird insect story? Share it in the comments — let’s laugh or freak out together!
