[scott and stalk]

does anyone know where i can get some of these? i have contacted a few exterminators and asked them to contact me if they ever run into them and ill come get them so i can clean my skulls...never got an answer back though....

if any of you guys are taxidermists and have a few extra larvae or even some old beetles who are on their way out ill take them and see if i can get a colony started...

thanks

 

[Fly Guy]

Ebay has starter colonies, but you may want to research what it takes to do this. It is not just getting the beetles and throwing in meat. Above all don't let them escape - EVIL little guys.

 

[ChasinTail]

You'll need a minimum of a 1000 or 5000 colony to start with if you want to clean a skull "now" the smaller colonies are meant to purchase and raise until you have sufficient numbers. I started with a 300 colony and they wouldn't clean prepped fox head in a week. Now I've got 10's of thousands and they clean a deer head in a day and a half. Unless you plan on keeping the colony going after you use it, financially it isn't a good option to clean just one or two skulls. There is a LOT involved in raising and maintaining a colony.

 

[johnny z]

agreed
well put

 

[scott and stalk]

ya i dont need it done now i just thought it would be cool to try it. i would keep them in our trapping/skinning shed (which is heated) so they dont mess my mounts up if some escape

 

[ChasinTail]

The beetle box has to be heated, ventilated so as not too mold, but not too dry, they must be misted everyday and to raise the number high enough, they need lots of food. Meat..and not road kill. Proper bedding is required plus an area with proper material for them to pupate. They can get mites, and flies can kill them. If you get the colony close and make one mistake, they can be wiped out. They feed best at the temperature at which the adults can fly. The box must be sealed so they can't escape. Keeping a colony of beetles is one thing, and as far as them cleaning the meat, yes, that part is easy, but the real work begins after they are done. When the beetles are finished is when the quality of the job shows through with the finished product.

Not trying to dissuade anyone from trying it. Just want it known that it isn't as easy as buying some beetles and throwing in a head.

 

[scott and stalk]

thanks for the info.