How Many Bugs Do I need?

For small skulls and a colony you can grow, 300+ beetles and larvae is a starting point. For a well-trimmed deer skull, 1,000+ is the minimum I recommend, provided you have the right container and conditions. Larger specimens and regular production need a colony matched to the actual workload.

I receive some version of “Ken, how many bugs do I need?” several times a week. It is an important question. Too few dermestids can leave you with a partly cleaned skull and a struggling colony. The goal is to match the colony to the amount of tissue it needs to clean before that tissue becomes too dry to eat.

Choosing a colony size

300 or more beetles and larvae for small specimens

A 300+ colony is the minimum size I recommend for getting started and building a larger colony of your own. It is appropriate for small specimens such as bird and rodent skulls, including the small skulls used by artists and collectors.

This starter colony will not successfully clean a deer-sized skull without first growing. If larger projects are your eventual goal, allow the colony to establish itself and increase in size before giving it that workload. Growth depends on feeding and conditions, so avoid planning a large cleaning job around a promised number of weeks.

1000 or more beetles and larvae for a well-trimmed deer skull

A 1,000+ colony is the minimum for cleaning one well-trimmed deer skull within the available feeding window. That recommendation assumes proper specimen preparation, an appropriate container and conditions that support an active colony.

It is not a guarantee that 1,000 beetles can handle every skull or any number of projects. Bear skulls and other large specimens vary in size and tissue load. If you have one of these projects in mind, discuss it with me before choosing your colony.

5000 or more beetles and larvae for ongoing production

A 5,000+ colony is an option for a business or experienced keeper handling a regular flow of specimens. It is a larger starting population, rather than a promise of a particular number of skulls per day.

Consider how often you will be cleaning, the size of the specimens and how much tissue you will remove beforehand. If demand increases, you may need to grow your colony or purchase additional beetles. The right investment depends on your current workload and the work you expect to take on.

Colony sizes include beetles and larvae. Larvae perform much of the cleaning, while the adults sustain the colony through reproduction. Keeping the colony healthy at every stage matters as much as the initial count.

Why the cleaning window matters

Once you put a specimen into a colony, the remaining tissue begins to dry. In my experience, this commonly becomes a problem after about three to five days, depending on temperature, humidity and the specimen. That is a practical feeding window, not a guaranteed cleaning time.

Tissue left on the outside or inside of the skull can become too hard and dry for the colony to use, particularly for newly hatched larvae. A skull may still have meat on it while the smallest larvae are going hungry. Waiting longer does not solve that problem.

The amount of tissue is therefore important. A well-trimmed skull gives the colony less material to work through. A large specimen with substantial tissue remaining can overwhelm a colony that would manage a carefully prepared skull.

Start with one skull at a time

If you want to clean several skulls, I recommend doing the first few one at a time. This gives you a chance to see how your colony performs in your setup before increasing the workload.

Keep the tiny larvae in mind as you do this. Building a productive colony means feeding the next generation as well as finishing the skull in front of you. Between cleaning projects, provide suitable protein, such as meat scraps, according to your colony care instructions. If a job is too large for the colony, give it time to grow before trying again.

What to do if cleaning stalls

A partly cleaned skull with dried tissue remaining needs attention. Beetles and larvae often work deep inside the skull, where you cannot easily see them. Tapping or shaking the skull may dislodge some insects, but it does not mean all of them have come out.

Do not put the skull straight into water to soften the tissue while insects may still be inside. They can drown in those tight spaces, reducing the colony you are trying to build. Contact me for guidance on recovering the beetles, assessing the remaining tissue and deciding whether the colony needs to grow before finishing the job.

Choose a container that suits the specimen

Have the enclosure ready before your beetles arrive. It needs to contain both the colony and the specimens you intend to clean, with a secure screened lid and enough airflow to help prevent moisture buildup and keep unwanted insects out.

For smaller colonies, a suitable aquarium or hard-plastic tote can work. Use smooth interior surfaces and check corners and seams for places the beetles can climb. Generally, the smallest practical container that fully contains the specimen helps concentrate the colony on feeding and reproduction. A larger gallon rating is not automatically a better choice.

Stable conditions matter. Follow the care guidance supplied with your colony for temperature, moisture, feeding and ventilation, and ask for advice if your room or enclosure presents a challenge. You can also review the colony care FAQs when planning your setup.

What to expect when your colony arrives

Dermestid colonies can be shipped directly to you. The beetles and larvae travel in frass, the sawdust-like material produced within the colony. It provides familiar surroundings and insulation, and it can also contain eggs.

Packing and shipping conditions help protect the colony in transit. Weather can affect shipment timing, and heat packs may be used in cold conditions. Have your enclosure ready, follow the arrival instructions and check the beetle buying page for current colony availability and shipping information.

If you only need a skull cleaned

Maintaining a colony makes sense when you want to keep working with dermestids. If you only have a specimen or two and would rather have the work done for you, professional cleaning is another option.

Skull cleaning formerly handled by Kodiak Bones & Bugs is now carried on by Mayhem Mounts. Visit the skull cleaning service page and contact Mayhem Mounts before sending a specimen. Beetle cleaning removes tissue; degreasing, whitening and finishing are separate parts of preparing a display piece.

Get help choosing your colony

Tell me what species you plan to clean, how many specimens you expect to handle and what enclosure you have in mind. I will be glad to discuss the right starting size and the conditions your colony will need.

Contact Kodiak Bones & Bugs with your project details, or view dermestid beetle colonies for current options.