What You Should Know about Buying Skull Cleaning Beetles

Skull cleaning beetles, also known as dermestid beetles, do all the work for you when it comes to cleaning the flesh off bones and skulls.  When buying skull cleaning beetles, there are some things to keep in mind.

How Many to Buy?

When you are determining how many beetles to buy, you need to know the right amount that you should purchase based on the size of the skull. In order to clean a rabbit skull, you will need about 4,000 beetles to get the job done. If you want to clean a beaver or fox skull, you will need between 8,000 and 9,000 beetles. In order to clean a deer skull, you need between 25,000 and 30,000 beetles, and to clean a bear skull, you can use as many as 55,000 beetles. Keep in mind that the meat that is not consumed before molding or rotting can kill your colony. Remove the brains, eyes, skins, and as much meat as possible before you give the skull to the beetles.

Getting Enough Adult Beetles

It’s important that you get enough adult beetles. Adult beetles are necessary to start building a population. Some businesses may sell you mostly small larvae, which won’t increase the colony size until they reach adulthood and start laying eggs. This may take up to two months. In order to get the high numbers, you need to clean larger skulls, you need to start building your colony and getting adult beetles is key to this.

When the beetles start laying eggs, the eggs will be microscopic, and you will likely not be able to see them. Some small larvae will hatch and then begin feeding shortly after. As the larvae grow, they will start to shed their exoskeletons. They will remain within the bedding material and come out as food is provided.

How Long Until Your Beetles Will Start Cleaning?

Beetles will need to be fed and colonized before they can start taking on a skull cleaning project. Animal material should be given daily that can be consumed within 24 hours. You don’t want to overfeed them so only give the beetles what can be consumed in 24 hours and adjust as they begin to multiply.

Taking Care of Your Skull Cleaning Beetles

Once you have purchased your beetles, you also need to take care of them in order to grow and maintain your colonies. It’s best to house your beetles in a plastic tub or bin. Choose a size the matches the size of the beetle colony you want to have. These beetles are not climbers and can’t fly in temperatures below 80 degrees. Add screening and holes. Cut a hole in the lid and then cover it with mesh screening. In order to help your dermestid beetles grow, choose quality bedding. A great choice in bedding can make a world difference in your beetles’ lifespan.