I recently saw something about using dermestid beetles to clean skulls for european mounts. and i was wondering if any of you have used them, and wonder if it is worth it to try and use them or is it better just to have someone else do it.
Thanks
Rowdy

In my opinion, they are the very best thing for cleaning skulls.

However, unless you are planning on doing ALOT of skulls to keep them fed it is not really worth the time and expense of keeping the critters.

Do a little research on care and costs, then see if you can justify the time and expense. If so...go for it. If not, send 'em out.

My buddy uses them and he swears by them. He feeds them hotdogs about once a week you do need the space and heat lamps as well to keep them alive. He uses old fish tanks and wooden boxes to place the heads in. He has a contact out of Alaska that he purchases them from for quite cheap actually pm me if you want the info and I will get it to you

http://bonesandbugs.com/ for dermisted beetles. The guy is great. My buddy has bought from several people but this guy stands by his beetles and will call periodically to check up on them and as far as price goes you cant beat it

Don't we have them here in TX naturally? I put out a hog skull last summer and came back 2 weeks later and it was covered in beetles and CLEAN!? Don't know if it was the dermisted but they did the job and it was au natural.