Kodiak Bones &
Bugs Taxidermy

Reasons to Buy Dermestid Beetles

There are many reasons to choose Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy when looking for dermestid beetles for sale, including the following:

• Perform DIY Skull Cleaning: When you buy dermestid beetles, they are a great way to clean and prepare bones for display, research, or other uses. They eat the flesh off of the bone quickly and efficiently without damaging it in any way. This makes them ideal for use on small animals, such as rodents or birds that have delicate skeletons.
• Expand Your Taxidermy Business: Serious taxidermists buy dermestid beetles when they want to deliver exceptional results. These beetles for taxidermy efficiently strip flesh from large mammals like deer, elk, and moose, making the taxidermy process much faster and easier than doing it all by hand.
• Create Unique Art Pieces: Artists buy dermestid beetles and use them to create unique pieces of art. They are used to clean bones and other materials used in sculptures, jewelry, or other types of artwork.
• Use as Fish Bait: The larvae of these beetles can also be used as fishing bait due to their scent, which attracts fish easily. Many anglers buy dermestid beetles because they prefer using dermestid larvae over other types of bait since they last longer in water and will not rot as quickly as some other baits might when exposed to moisture or high temperatures.
• Start a Side Business: You could start a local business and provide skull cleaning using dermestid beetles for your family, friends, and others in your community. This is a lucrative business opportunity as the demand for clean bones with intricate details to display or use in art projects is increasing.
• Include in Science Projects: Schools, universities, and individuals buy dermestid beetles to use in science projects and experiments. They are especially useful for dissection, cleaning bones for further study, or creating skeletons of small animals.

Additionally, when you buy dermestid beetles from Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy—whether in Canada, the United States, or other countries—we provide ongoing support to help ensure your beetle colonies thrive.

Using Beetles for Taxidermy vs. Traditional Methods: Pros and Cons

If you’re involved in taxidermy—whether as a professional, artist, or hobbyist—you’ve probably come across a few different methods for cleaning bones. Boiling, maceration, chemical treatments, and dermestid beetles are all commonly used.

Below, we look at the pros and cons of using flesh-eating beetles for taxidermy compared to traditional methods to help you choose the right approach for your work.

Pros of Using Dermestid Beetles

• Preserves Fine Details: Beetles are unmatched in their ability to clean around delicate bone structures—think nasal turbinates, sutures, and tiny bones that boiling or chemicals often damage.
• No Harsh Chemicals: No need for bleach, peroxide, or degreasers. This is a much safer and more eco-friendly approach, especially for hobbyists or home setups.
• Low Odor: A well-maintained beetle colony for taxidermy smells earthy or musty, not rotten—unlike maceration, which involves soaking specimens in water and often produces an overpowering stench.
• Self-Sustaining: Once you have a healthy colony, they’re easy to maintain and provide a continuous cleaning solution with very little cost over time.

Cons of Using Dermestid Beetles

• Initial Setup Time: Building a thriving colony takes some patience. It can take weeks before your beetles are ready to tackle larger specimens.
• Temperature and Humidity Requirements: Dermestid beetles thrive in warm, stable environments. If your climate fluctuates wildly, you may need to consider climate control.
• Feeding and Maintenance: Beetles need regular care, including proper feeding, cleaning, and pest control to keep mites and other threats away.
• Not Instant: A full cleaning job can take a few days to a couple of weeks depending on the size of the specimen and the health of the colony. It’s not the quickest option, but it’s thorough.

Pros of Using Traditional Methods (Boiling, Maceration, Chemicals)

• Speed: Boiling or chemical methods can clean bones in hours—not days or weeks.
• No Colony Management: You don’t have to worry about keeping bugs alive, fed, or housed.
• Readily Accessible: Anyone with a pot and a burner can boil a skull (though we don’t necessarily recommend it).

Cons of Using Traditional Methods (Boiling, Maceration, Chemicals)

• Risk of Damage: Boiling can cause bone separation, loss of detail, and cracking. Chemicals can weaken bone structure or leave unwanted residue.
• Strong Odors and Safety Concerns: Maceration and boiling both produce powerful smells and can pose sanitation risks. Chemical methods may involve toxic fumes or skin irritation.
• Mess and Cleanup: Boiling and maceration are notoriously messy. Boil-overs, greasy residues, and contaminated water can be difficult to dispose of properly, especially in residential areas. The cleanup afterward can be as unpleasant as the process itself.
• Ongoing Cost: You’ll need to repurchase materials like peroxide or degreasers for every cleaning job.

For professional-quality results with the most natural finish, flesh-eating beetles are the gold standard. While they take a bit more care up front, they pay off in precision, safety, and long-term value—especially for those planning to clean multiple specimens over time.

Whether you’re a seasoned taxidermist or a curious hobbyist, investing in a healthy beetle colony for taxidermy gives you a powerful, sustainable way to clean bones the right way.

Ready to get started with beetles for cleaning skulls? Shop our dermestid beetle colonies or reach out with questions. We’re always happy to help.