Dermestid beetles?

[mr_magoo]

Can I purchase dermestid beetle colony kits here in Canada? And if so, would anyone know from whom I could purchase? Planning on cleaning my own bear skull and a few coyote skulls.

[calgarychef1]

There's a fellow around Lethbridge who will sell you some starters. Honestly that's not what you want to do. If you only have a few of your own skulls, either boil them or macerate them. It's a pain starting a colony for only a couple skulls. Keeping the colony going is another thing too, not feaseable for the average hunter. The beetles can cause a big stink and if they get into your house they'll eat everything in sight. You wouldn't want to have to fumigate the house!!!

Boiling is the easiest and least stinky, macerating is dangerous (biohazards) and stinky but gives the best results.

If you need more info let me know.

the chef

[mr_magoo]

Thanks for the info Chef. I don't know what macerating is. And I'm leary about boiling because I usually end up with cracked teeth. I may take you up on your offer but I'd like some time to think about it. In the meantime I'd like to see some pics of your skulls.

[ganonymous]

i watched a show on discovery channel about skull preservation. there is a company called skulls unlimited. they have good introduction to all your options for this; every company has a website. do a google on that company...........

[bdoa]

If you want Bettles, you can prob get a bunch from your local university, they usually have them, and will give them to you if you ask nice..lol

Merry Christmas