Welcome To Your One Stop Shop For Skull Cleaning Beetles!
As a local Firefighter I take pride in the job and the service that I provide to the community, the same goes for the service that I provide to the loyal customers of Discount Dermestid Beetles. We take great pride in giving a quality product and most of all being honest and upfront with everyone. Stop boiling and ruining the quality of your skulls, make the switch to Dermestid Beetles today.
All of my Dermestid Beetle colonies are 100% healthy and I guarantee no other mites or insects in my beetles. Be cautious from ordering beetles from other people that may not guarantee their product. We operate a licensed taxidermy shop that only specializes in European Mounts, so we know how important quality beetles are.
In each order you will receive a mix of adults, larvae, pupa, and eggs in your container. Each order is shipped in frass, which is bedding type material
All beetles are shipped with priority shipping with USPS and we only ship on Mondays and Tuesdays. By shipping on these days it prevents your beetles from sitting in a substation over the weekend.We have sold thousands of beetles and shipped throughout all times of the year. We have learned how to package properly to ensure quality arrival of your beetles.
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Bug FAQs
What is the life span of the Beetles?
The life of a Dermestid Beetle begins with the hatching of an egg. Over the next few weeks the larvae will molt around 8 times, that is shed its skin and grow larger. After about 2 months the larvae is ready to transform into a beetle. Once the transformation has been complete the beetle will continue to live for another 3-4 months. So your typical beetle will live roughly 5 months.
Do the Beetles fly?
The beetles have been known to start flying when the temperatures get hot. However, only a handful a brave beetles will take on this adventure. Do not think that you will open the lid and all your beetles will fly out at you, that is not the case at all.
What about the smell?
The beetles do have a smell to them, I think that they have a slight ammonia smell to them. The smell can be somewhat controlled. Typically when people say their beetles smell horrible, its because they have over fed the beetles and the meat is actually rotting and that is what you are smelling. So the key is not to get to excited and put more food in there than what they can handle.
How many Beetles do I need?
This is a very interesting topic to me, because I have read on other sites seller’s suggesting that 1,000 beetles will be able to clean a deer skull. What they are not telling you is that it will take roughly 6-8weeks before that quantity is ready to begin cleaning skulls. So when judging how many beetles you need keep this in mind, if you need to clean a lot of skulls right away, you need 5,000. If you have time to let your colony grow, then start out smaller 500-1,000. Also, be cautious of sellers who claim to sell 20,000 to 40,000 beetles, more than likely you will not receive anything close to that amount.
As you can see above, the skull on the right is one that comes straight out of the beetles and is not ready to hang on your wall. We have been cleaning skulls for years and have cleaned over 1,000 skulls. In doing so, we have found and created techniques to get your skulls museum quality. The concepts are not hard and frankly are quite easy, you just need to know what to use and how to use it.
Set yourself apart from the others. Don’t waste your time trying to figure it out. I have the proven tips and tricks that will make your skulls look better than they did before.
We are now offering our manual for sale. This manual gives you step by step directions on “How To” Degrease and Whiten all Skulls. The manual includes different techniques that cater to the Do It Yourself or the inspiring taxidermist.
This Manual is a must have piece of knowledge, set yourself apart from the others.
The premise behind getting your skull not to look yellow, wet, and smell foul is to get all the grease out of the bone. This is accomplished by soaking your skull in hot water and adding the proper detergents. By heating water and soaking your skull you are opening the pores in the bone allowing the grease and fats to pour out. This step takes the most time and requires patience, but this is what will make your skull stand apart from others.
Here is an example of the grease and fats that are expelled from your skulls.
Beginners Info
Enclosure Recommendations
The most important thing to think about with the beetles is that your enclosure will not allow any other insects to get in. I recommend cutting holes on the side of your enclosure (if applicable) or if you have a fish tank make sure that you double or triple screen the top with window screening. All openings must be covered with window screening. Put 2-3 inches of shredded paper in the bottom as their bedding; also have a few pieces of Styrofoam for them to burrow into.
Temperature and Humidity
The beetles need to be kept between 80-85 degrees. I prefer to use a heat lamp with a 50 or 75 watt bulb. The heater must be attached to a thermostat. I use a zilla temperature controller. It can be purchased online or at a store.
In the summer you will have to deal with humidity. Humidity can be controlled through air movement. I use a bathroom fan to suck out the air. I have it on a cheap timer to go off for 15 min. 2 times per hour. You will have to adjust this to what your environment is requiring, could be more or less. Humidity should be kept below 50-60%.
Initial Feeding Recommendations
For the first 3-4 weeks I would feed the beetles small boneless pieces of meat start with something the size of a half dollar then move up from there, or whatever they can consume within 24 hours. When they are done, feed them more. Before you know it they will explode in population.
When you prep a skull remove as much meat as you can. Take out the eyes, lower jaw and tongue, and the brain. Keep the skull frozen until ready to be cleaned.
In the summer you will have to deal with humidity. Humidity can be controlled through air movement. I use a bathroom fan to suck out the air. I have it on a cheap timer to go off for 15 min. 2 times per hour. You will have to adjust this to what your environment is requiring, could be more or less. Humidity should be kept below 50-60%.
When You Receive the Beetles
For the first 3-4 weeks I would feed the beetles small boneless pieces of meat start with something the size of a half dollar then move up from there, or whatever they can consume within 24 hours. When they are done, feed them more. Before you know it they will explode in population.
Finally, the beetles will need 4-5 days to acclimate to their new environment. Upon receiving your beetles, spray them with a spray bottle (add about a half a cup of ammonia to your spray bottle and fill the rest with water) and give them the small pieces of meat.
They like to be kept in the dark, so try and not disturb them if you can. It might be in your best interest to wrap aluminum foil around your fish tank to hold eat and to keep it dark.
In the summer you will have to deal with humidity. Humidity can be controlled through air movement. I use a bathroom fan to suck out the air. I have it on a cheap timer to go off for 15 min. 2 times per hour. You will have to adjust this to what your environment is requiring, could be more or less. Humidity should be kept below 50-60%.
Enclosures
For the first 3-4 weeks I would feed the beetles small boneless pieces of meat start with something the size of a half dollar then move up from there, or whatever they can consume within 24 hours. When they are done, feed them more. Before you know it they will explode in population.
Finally, the beetles will need 4-5 days to acclimate to their new environment. Upon receiving your beetles, spray them with a spray bottle (add about a half a cup of ammonia to your spray bottle and fill the rest with water) and give them the small pieces of meat.
These are a few types of enclosures that your beetles can live in. One major thing to take into consideration is that it is well sealed. You do not want any other insects getting into your colony.
In the summer you will have to deal with humidity. Humidity can be controlled through air movement. I use a bathroom fan to suck out the air. I have it on a cheap timer to go off for 15 min. 2 times per hour. You will have to adjust this to what your environment is requiring, could be more or less. Humidity should be kept below 50-60%.
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