"The Natural Wonders of Dermestid Beetles: From the Oklahoma Wilderness to the Museum"

At Skulls Unlimited International, we pride ourselves on using locally sourced dermestid beetles to provide museum quality cleaning and preparation of animal skulls. These insects, also known as carpet beetles or hide beetles, belong to the family Dermestidae and are found in many different environments around the world, including forests, grasslands, and deserts. With a relatively short lifespan of just a few months, they play a vital role in breaking down animal carcasses and returning nutrients back to the soil through their decomposing action.

Dermestid beetles are known for their voracious appetite for flesh and are commonly used in museums and other collections to help preserve specimens. They are able to reach into small crevices and remove all traces of flesh, resulting in a thoroughly clean and ready-for-display final product. The process of using dermestid beetles involves placing the animal skull or skin in a container or enclosure with the beetles, and can take several days to several weeks, depending on the size of the specimen and the number of beetles used.

At Skulls Unlimited International, our team of experienced professionals are knowledgeable in the handling and care of these insects. We ensure that the beetles are healthy, and the specimens are properly cleaned by maintaining the proper temperature and humidity range for the beetles to thrive and continuously monitoring the enclosure. Dermestid beetles have a specific temperature and humidity range that they require in order to thrive, typically around 70-80°F and 50-60% humidity. Our dermestid beetles are locally sourced from the Oklahoma wilderness, allowing us to support and utilize the natural resources of our local area. Fun fact! We have been using the same generation of dermestid beetles found in Oklahoma since 1986, how cool is that?!

If you are interested in learning more about dermestid beetles or need professional skull or skin cleaning services, consider contacting Skulls Unlimited International. Our team is dedicated to providing the highest quality services using these valuable insects. 

P.S. If you would ever like to see the Dermestid Beetles at work, come stop by Skeletons: Museum of Osteology and see them on display in the Museum lobby. Visit the link below for tickets and directions to the Museum!

https://www.skeletonmuseum.com/