Dermestidae are a family of Celeoptera that are commonly referred to as skin beetles, flesh eating beetles, or carpet beetles.  There are actually about five hundred to seven hundred species world wide.  They range in size from one to twelve millimeters in length.  A favorite in the bone cleaning world tends to be an American species, Dermestis Maculatus, which is preferred because they do not fly at room temperature.

These fascinating beetles have a four to five month life span in which approximately six weeks is the growing, molting, flesh eating larvae that actually do the cleaning of the bones.  Once the beetles reach the adult stage, their primary function is to lay eggs.  They hatch from the egg and start our very small and as they eat, they grow and grow until they literally split their skin.  They crawl out of their old skin and the new skin hardens up in a larger size.  They continue to eat and split approximately eight times in this six week period, each time growing larger and larger.  An active colony can clean a deer skull in about forty eight hours.



The advantage to using these amazing beetles to prepare your skull is that your skull will be totally cleaned of all flesh and tissue down to the microscopic level.  While the larger, older larvae eat the larger pieces of flesh, the young larvae are able to clean the smallest and most delicate bones.  Museums around the world have used these beetles for Centuries to preserve all types of bones and skeletons. 

Having your specimen professionally cleaned by these beetles is an important step in preserving your trophy of a lifetime, for a lifetime.  Perhaps you have considered raising your own colony?  There are many advantages to having your own colony, however it is much like having a pet.  You have to care for them and raise them.  Of course, you have to feed them, even after hunting season is over.  They need a regular water supply.  Some Taxidermists mist them with water daily, or you can choose to give them a moist paper towel or sponge every two to three days.  Be careful not to keep their environment too moist to avoid a mold problem.  One of the most important factors I have discovered, is they need good air circulation.  I solve this problem by keeping a small fan in their area. 

For their housing you can use a glass aquarium, or I prefer to use a plastic tote with a lid.  I personally modify all my totes by cutting a small window in each of the four sides and one in the lid and hot gluing screening material in place.  It is important that you keep the top closed, not to control escaping beetles, but to keep out many common parasites, which can destroy a colony.  I start off each cololy with one to two inches of wood shavings in the bottom of the tote.  As your colony develops, they will contribute to the shavings as they eat.  These shavings are called frass. 

Trophy Skull Mounts invites you to experience a profesionally cleaned beetle skull first hand free of charge.  This is up to a $40.00 value.  Simply fill out the form below to be emailed your coupon code and experience the professional quality of a beetle cleaned skull.  Simply place your coupon code on your order form and your invoice will reflect the free cleaning. 

Good luck in the field this year and God Bless.