Skull Cleaning with Dermestid Beetles Explained

Dermestid beetles are nature's perfect cleaning crew. These tiny insects can clean skulls and bones more thoroughly and safely than any other method, preserving even the most delicate structures.

What Are Dermestid Beetles?

Dermestid beetles (also called flesh-eating beetles) are small insects that feed exclusively on dead tissue. They're used by museums, taxidermists, and bone collectors worldwide.

Why Beetles Beat Other Methods

Unlike boiling or chemical cleaning, beetles don't damage delicate bone structures. They can clean intricate nasal passages, teeth, and small bones that other methods would destroy.

The Cleaning Process

Skulls are placed in a colony of beetles, which consume all soft tissue over several days to weeks, depending on size. The beetles work their way into every crevice, leaving pristine white bone.

Temperature and Care

Beetle colonies thrive at 70-80°F. They need regular feeding and proper humidity to stay healthy and productive.

After Beetle Cleaning

Once cleaned, skulls are degreased and whitened. The result is museum-quality specimens with all fine details intact.

Our Beetle Colony

At Fur-Check, we maintain a healthy dermestid colony specifically for skull cleaning services. We can handle everything from small rodent skulls to large ungulate specimens.