Question 1

Is "wild sourced" Dermestid Beetles really better?

Accepted Answer

What truly sets my dermestid beetle colonies apart and makes them superior to many competitors lies in the sourcing and unique care practices I do to ensure their effectiveness and vitality. Unlike other sellers who often rely on colonies that have been subjected to years—sometimes decades—of inbreeding, I take a fundamentally different approach to maintain the health and productivity of my beetles. My colonies are sourced directly from wild strains, which I carefully integrate into my breeding program to refresh the genetic pool every 2–3 years.

In my professional opinion, excessive inbreeding can severely compromise a colony’s ability to thrive over time. Inbreeding not only reduces the beetles' overall vigor but also weakens key traits essential for efficient skull cleaning, such as reproductive capacity, adaptability, and resilience to environmental changes. This decline often results in colonies that are less effective and more prone to disease or other issues, ultimately diminishing their usefulness to customers.

By consistently introducing fresh genetics through wild strains, I ensure that my colonies maintain their robustness and exceptional efficiency. These healthy and genetically diverse beetles are better equipped to handle the demands of cleaning skulls quickly and thoroughly. This commitment to quality and sustainability allows me to provide my customers with superior colonies that perform at the highest level, making them a reliable and effective choice for anyone who needs dermestid beetles for their projects.

Question 2

How do you count your beetles?

Accepted Answer

We actually count and validate the number of adult beetles and larvae in each dermestid beetle package we offer (the 20k package took a very long time to count). We first separated all the beetles from the frass material and once they were counted out, we then weighed them. This process helped give us a more accurate count of how many beetles we are sending to our customers.

Once we receive an order, we proceed by measuring out the respective quantity of adults and larvae and then add an additional 10% to account for any mortalities that may occur during shipping. We then add the weighed beetles back into the frass/substrate material. This material can have thousands of eggs that are waiting to hatch which, in turn, will give your colony an extra boost.

Question 3

How many beetles do I need to clean a deer skull?

Accepted Answer

The answer really comes down to how quickly you need to complete your project. Starting with a smaller colony of 2,500 beetles will save you money initially, but it will take longer for the colony to grow large enough to clean a deer-sized skull in just a few days. On the other hand, a 10,000 beetle colony can handle a deer skull efficiently right from the start, often cleaning it in as little as 7-10 days under ideal conditions. In contrast, a 2,500 beetle colony might take up to 6 weeks or more to achieve the same result.

If you're willing to wait for your colony to grow, the smaller option can be more economical. However, if you need faster results, we recommend opting for the 10,000 beetle colony or larger.

Under ideal conditions:
2,500 beetle colony... 6+ weeks
10,000 beetle colony... 7-10 days

Question 4

What housing should I use for my Dermestid Beetle Colony?

Accepted Answer

Dermestid beetles can be housed in any container that they cannot chew through or escape from, such as metal, plastic, or glass. Common options include aquarium tanks, used chest freezers, and plastic containers like those made by Sterilite.

If you use an aquarium, be sure to remove all silicone from the corners to stop the beetles from climbing out. Any container must have a secure cover to prevent escapes while still allowing ventilation. A well-fitted cover will also keep out foreign insects, protecting your colony from contamination.

Question 5

What do I feed my Dermestid Beetle Colony?

Accepted Answer

Beetles can be fed almost any type of meat, but it's best to avoid processed meats like hot dogs and heavily seasoned or marinated meats.

One important tip I’ve learned over the years is to always freeze the meat before feeding it to your beetles. This helps prevent introducing any foreign insects into your colony. Alternatively, you can soak the meat, fully submerged, for 48 hours to achieve the same effect.

Question 6

How do you ship your beetles?

Accepted Answer

Skull Creations offers a Live Arrival Guarantee with every order. To ensure the best quality for our beetles, we ship orders on Mondays and Tuesdays via USPS Priority Mail, which typically takes 2-3 days for delivery. However, we cannot control any delays caused by weather or transportation issues.

We ship year-round and tailor our packaging to suit the season and destination. Each order comes with a tracking number so you can plan to receive your package upon arrival.

Question 7

What is your Live Arrival Guarantee?

Accepted Answer

We make every effort on our part to ensure your order of Dermestid beetles arrive alive and healthy. If there is a problem with your order and you have complied with our conditions, we will work with you for quick resolution.

Conditions: It is your responsibility to track the order in the USPS system with the supplied tracking number.  We mark all shipments “HOLD AT POST OFFICE FOR PICKUP” USPS will then contact you when the parcel arrives. This greatly increases the chance your beetles arrive alive in extreme weather. It is your responsibility to track the order in the USPS system with the supplied tracking number. If the beetles are held at the Post Office and not picked up within 12 hours of arriving, the Live Arrival Guarantee is voided.

We always add an additional 10% of beetles in each order to account for any loss that may occur during shipment. If more than 10% of the beetles arrive dead and you have met the conditions of our guarantee, we will work with you to resolve the issue. IF YOU SUSPECT THERE IS A PROBLEM WITH YOUR ORDER, DO NOT BREAK THE SECURITY SEAL AND CONTACT US IMMEDIATELY. Broken seals will void your Live Arrival Guarantee.

For any claims, you must contact us within 2 hours after pickup and provide video to confirm the condition of the beetles. If all conditions are met for the Live Arrival Guarantee, we will either issue a refund for the portion that died, less shipping, or ship you a fresh order equal to the amount that died. Shipping costs are final and are not refunded.

Question 8

Why use Dermestid Beetles?

Accepted Answer

1. Preserves Details
Dermestid beetles can eat away at flesh without any damage to the bone and are able to keep all intricate bones intact. This helps preserve the details in the honeycomb bones around the eyes and nose, which can make the mount look more natural.

2. No Discoloration
Boiling can cause the fat to melt into the bone, resulting in a yellowish tint that's difficult to remove. Dermestid beetles don't discolor any bone.

3. No Harsh Chemicals
Other skull cleaning methods use harsh chemicals that can be dangerous to inhale and burn the skin. Dermestid beetles are an eco-friendly option

4. No Mess
Boiling can be messy and smelly, and it usually requires constant supervision. Dermestid beetles can be left unattended to do their work, and they don't release any foul odors.

5. Bone Integrity
Boiling can damage and weaken bone integrity and also somewhat shrink the bone. Beetles preserve the bone perfectly and cause literally zero damage to the bone.

6. Fast 
Depending on the size of the skull, the beetles can complete their work in about 24 hours when you have a full working colony.

Frequently asked questions