Pro Hunter Tips: What to Know When Buying Dermestid Beetles for European Mounts

Hunters across North America and throughout the world favor European mounts, as they offer an inexpensive way to present and preserve your trophy. As the name suggests, European mounts became popular in Europe at a time when it was extremely difficult to preserve the animal in its own skin.

Historically, groups of hunters would clean the muscle and tissue from the skull and leave it exposed to the elements, allowing the sun to naturally bleach the bone. Over time, this process evolved, but the European mount remains one of the most popular trophy display methods. In fact, it has even gained popularity in modern interior design trends, blending rustic appeal with a timeless aesthetic.

While the tradition of European mounts has continued, the methods for cleaning skulls have changed. Today, hunters looking for a clean, polished, and professional appearance primarily rely on one of two methods: boiling the skull or using dermestid beetles, also known as European mount beetles or euro mount beetles.

Whether you are a veteran hunter and experienced outdoorsman or new to the sport, you may have questions about the best skull-cleaning method for you.

Dermestid Beetles for European Mounts

Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy offers high-quality, 100% healthy euro mount beetles, available in various quantities to suit your needs. With proper care, these beetles provide a long-lasting and effective skull-cleaning solution.

A dermestes maculatus beetle otherwise known as an European mount

European Mount Beetles vs. Boiling the Skull

As an avid hunter, you have likely read the various pros and cons of using European mount beetles versus boiling the skull. While both methods remove flesh, beetle cleaning offers significant advantages by preserving delicate bone structures that boiling often damages.

One of the biggest benefits of using beetles for European mount preparation is their ability to retain the fragile, honeycomb-like bones in the nasal cavity and around the eyes. These intricate details define a high-quality European mount, and preserving them ensures a more natural, lifelike appearance.

Boiling, on the other hand, weakens these brittle bones, often causing them to warp, break, or completely dissolve. Many hunters and taxidermists prefer euro mount beetles because they meticulously clean skulls without causing this kind of damage.

If you examine a skull cleaned with euro mount beetles compared to one that was boiled, the difference is clear. European mount beetles leave intricate structures fully intact, while boiling often results in cracks, missing bones, or warping.

For the best European mount results, trust a dermestid beetle colony from Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy. Our beetles for European mount cleaning provide gentle, damage-free results, ensuring your trophy remains in immaculate condition.

How Long Does It Take Dermestid Beetles to Clean a Skull?

Clearly, boiling is the faster method when it comes to removing flesh from a skull. However, any serious hunter looking to display a pristine European mount will not be focusing on time but instead on maintaining the integrity of the animal’s bone structure.

European mount beetles will take a bit of time to completely remove all the flesh, and this time will be based on:

The size of the skull
How much flesh was previously removed by the hunter
The number of euro mount beetles used

For a large skull, dermestid beetles can take up to a few days to a few weeks to remove every last bit of flesh. Avid hunters will usually maintain large European mount beetle colonies so they have more options, selecting the size of the colony to use based on the size of the skull.

When you call Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy, our experts are standing by to learn about your trophies and lend a professional recommendation on the beetle colony size that would best suit your hunting profile while giving you ample room to evolve so that you can be equipped to handle bigger trophies—and more frequent ones.

What Hunters Need to Know When Selecting a Dermestid Beetle Colony

Selecting the right dermestid beetle colony is essential for hunters who want a reliable and efficient cleaning method for their skulls. Here are the key factors to consider when choosing European mount beetles:

1. Ensure the Colony Is 100% Healthy

A strong dermestid beetle colony should be free of pests like fly larvae, mites, or other invaders that can wipe out a population. When speaking with a seller, ask for a guarantee that the euro mount beetles are raised in a controlled environment. Sellers like Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy maintain colonies in secure, purpose-built enclosures to prevent contamination and ensure optimal health.

2. Ask About Quality Control Measures

Not all beetles for European mount preparation are raised under strict quality standards. Before purchasing, ask sellers about the quality control processes they follow to maintain a healthy, high-performing colony. Poorly managed beetles can die quickly, spread pests to your existing colony, or fail to clean skulls effectively.

3. Look for Expert Guidance and Support

Starting and maintaining a euro mount beetle colony requires proper care and knowledge. A reputable seller should provide detailed instructions on:

Starting a new colony
Integrating new beetles into an existing setup
Proper care and maintenance to keep your colony thriving

At Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy, we do more than just sell dermestid beetles—we support hunters in getting the best possible European mounts. Whether you’re new to using European mount beetles or expanding an existing colony, we provide expert guidance, troubleshooting, and ongoing support to ensure long-term success.

Questions may come up at any time, whether right after receiving your beetles or even years down the road. That’s why we’re always available by phone or email to help. When you choose Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy, you’re not just buying beetles for European mounts—you’re gaining a trusted partner dedicated to helping you create high-quality trophy skulls with confidence.

Get the Healthiest Euro Mount Beetles for Your Hunting Trophies From Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy

A European mount is judged by bone integrity. Forget about boiling the skull—not only is it messy and smells, but you will likely destroy the intricate colony of bones in the nasal region and around the eyes.

Kodiak Bones & Bugs Taxidermy provides the healthiest dermestid beetle colonies on the market, along with expert support and personalized guidance to ensure your success. Our commitment to quality means you’ll always have someone available to answer your questions and provide the tools you need.

Reach out today to discover how our beetles for European mounts can help you achieve museum-quality results.