Hunting Washington Forum

Community => Taxidermy & Scoring => Topic started by: Fishhunt223 on June 03, 2008, 03:23:12 PM

Title: Beetles
Post by: Fishhunt223 on June 03, 2008, 03:23:12 PM: Does anybody on here have beetles near Wenatchee. I just did away with mine for a while because I am moving to the coast and I know of a few customers that want some skulls cleaned somewhere close to home. Let me know if you have them, where you are at, and your contact info and I will pass it on. Thanks.
Travis
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: Fishhunt223 on June 04, 2008, 12:23:19 PM: Anybody else have beetles in Washington that would be interested in some extra work?
Travis
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: cackle on June 04, 2008, 12:40:01 PM: http://www.filmfxhydrographics.com/
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: Jamieb on June 09, 2008, 10:33:36 PM: I havent had Jim do any skulls for me but I've seen a few he's done and they turned out great.

I've heard of some problems useing Hackiewicz so I'm changeing my post
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: LongTatLaw on June 09, 2008, 10:35:46 PM: http://cgi.ebay.com/2000-Dermestid-beetles-taxidermy-kit_W0QQitemZ140238918700QQihZ004QQcategoryZ71130QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: Fishhunt223 on June 10, 2008, 12:14:19 AM: KillyBilly has me taken care of. Thanks though. I will be getting more in a while but I have got to get settled into the rainy part of the state first. :(
Travis
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: billythekidrock on June 10, 2008, 05:57:35 AM: Quote from: Jamieb on June 09, 2008, 10:33:36 PM
I know Jim Hackiewicz has beetles, he's in WalaWala fakawe@gmail.com

I havent had Jim do any skulls for me but I've seen a few he's done and they turned out great.

I tried to have him do a bear skull for me a few years ago but he was unreliable and intermittent in his email replies. So I had Killbilly do it.
I also tried to talk about bear with him but he couldn't get his swollen head into the chat room.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: Jamieb on June 21, 2008, 07:12:43 PM: One of the guys I work with told me a story about on going problems he's having dealing with Jim Hackiewicz over a bear skull. I wont be using him or recommending him.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: boneaddict on June 21, 2008, 08:31:37 PM: I just bought a batch of beetles from the guy. I will let you guys know how it turns out. Not sure how I am going to keep them yet. This could be interesting.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: robodad on June 21, 2008, 08:40:54 PM: Quote
Not sure how I am going to keep them yet. This could be interesting.

Just threaten to feed the escapees to the phesants and they should stay put !! :chuckle:
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: boneaddict on June 21, 2008, 08:49:57 PM: :chuckle: At this point pheasants will probably be what I will be feeding to them.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: boneaddict on June 21, 2008, 09:01:20 PM: actually I am thinking abou tseeing what they would do to a full grown pheasant, then put the bones together for a science project with the girls. That might be cool.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: robodad on June 21, 2008, 09:09:48 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on June 21, 2008, 09:01:20 PM
actually I am thinking abou tseeing what they would do to a full grown pheasant, then put the bones together for a science project with the girls. That might be cool.

A 3D puzzle huh !!

Sounds like a project to post in here in stages of coarse, It would be neat to see that for sure !!
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: Fishhunt223 on June 21, 2008, 11:09:37 PM: Quote from: boneaddict on June 21, 2008, 09:01:20 PM
actually I am thinking abou tseeing what they would do to a full grown pheasant, then put the bones together for a science project with the girls. That might be cool.
Beetles are great for cleaning small skeletons because they will eat the muscle first, then the tendons, and then the cartilage and bone. If you watch them closely, you can see when they finish the muscle and take your skeleton out. You will then have an articulated skeleton that just needs to be degreased and whitened.
Travis
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: billythekidrock on June 22, 2008, 05:14:40 AM: Quote from: boneaddict on June 21, 2008, 09:01:20 PM
actually I am thinking abou tseeing what they would do to a full grown pheasant, then put the bones together for a science project with the girls. That might be cool.

I am sure I am preaching to the choir but make sure they do not escape near your taxi projects. They will devour everything..oh yea, and take a ton of pics of your pheasant project.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: boneaddict on June 22, 2008, 05:58:05 AM: Nothing like introducing a new predator to the Wenas. :chuckle: Actually Billy, I hadn't given it that much thought. I am trying to figure out where I can store them without the wife having a cow and them not burn up or freeze to death.

I'll stick them in the middle of my chicken coop so if one escapes hes in trouble. :chuckle:
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: bucklucky on June 22, 2008, 08:47:04 AM: Make sure to put them in a slick sided container like a glass aquarium and make sure if there is calk in the corners to remove it. They cant climb up slick surfaces like glass or plexi-glass.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: boneaddict on June 22, 2008, 08:53:38 AM: DO they fly at all?
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: billythekidrock on June 22, 2008, 09:06:14 AM: Quote from: boneaddict on June 22, 2008, 08:53:38 AM
DO they fly at all?

Yes, when they reach their last stage they can fly a bit. You will want a screen to cover the top.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: boneaddict on June 22, 2008, 09:08:16 AM: I'm surprised the game department allows this. I could definately see me introducing a new species into the Wenas Valley. :chuckle: Thank God I only ordered a small batch versus the 2000 package. :)
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: bucklucky on June 22, 2008, 11:59:57 AM: If the temperature raises above 80 degrees they can really get motivated to fly. I keep mine around 70. Just like billy said put a lid on them with a screen . Remember you dont want any foreign insects to get in there either, especially flies. Keep them misted with water once a week and fed .
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: boneaddict on June 22, 2008, 12:15:44 PM: What do you do with yours in the winter? Obviously you aren't as cold as I am but wondering....I assume they stink.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: bucklucky on June 22, 2008, 12:22:03 PM: I built a plywood box and put a electric heater in it set at 70. Kept them nice and warm through our winter. Would probably work better if you insulated it. I put a door in the front for access to the beattles. Yes they do stink.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: boneaddict on June 22, 2008, 12:39:01 PM: Do you know about light...do they have to be in the dark to work.......
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: robodad on June 22, 2008, 12:44:22 PM: Hey Bone,

I have "Beetles & Bones" by Rob Graves, I'll send it to you if you want to read it ??
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: boneaddict on June 22, 2008, 12:52:56 PM: SURE! Pm sent
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: bucklucky on June 22, 2008, 10:45:04 PM: They work best in the dark.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: Michelle_Nelson on June 23, 2008, 10:39:53 AM: Bone when I get home later this evening I will dig up some info on beetles for you.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: KillBilly on June 23, 2008, 11:14:07 AM: In reality, they are not new almost anywhere. They appear at a carcass approx 5 days after death. There are a large variety of Dermestidae. Some of the are not even considered flesh eaters.

So, thew only areas that they may exist would be in areas where the temperature is constantly below 30 degrees Centigrade.

Moisture/mildew is very harmful to a colony. Be careful try to dry all items before putting it into their enclosure. They should live quite well in newspaper clippings. You should try and mist them with water every day or every other day. You will see them come from under the paper to take moisture off of the paper.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: popeshawnpaul on June 23, 2008, 11:42:17 AM: I heard they are really stinky Bone. Your wife must really love you or something. I have heard they will eat up your taxidermy...

I use Superior Skulls in Snoqualmie. She does a great job and no mess for me.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: boneaddict on June 23, 2008, 11:51:00 AM: I didn't ask. I did mention it to her this morning and she said that I wasn't keeping them in the house. No problem dear, I didn't intend too.
Title: Re: Beetles
Post by: bucklucky on June 23, 2008, 12:44:40 PM: I was told once a week watering them is all that is necesary,that was from the guy I purchased them from, too much will create mold and mildew. Put the bones and skulls on a paper plate to keep any moisture from getting into the fras. Dont over dry the bones for they dont seem to like jerky as well as moist meat. :twocents:

How big is your colony KillBilly? How long you had them?