Am thinking about a beetle colony for cleaning skulls and have read the info in the archives on keeping and getting them. One thing I would like to hear is everyone's pros and cons about them. Things that you like and don't like, problems, complications, etc. If anyone out there lives in an apartment and doesn't have an extra place for a 'shop' I'd really like to hear from you as this is the situation I'm in!
Thanks
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Something to consider as a fact to deal with is the odor that emanates from a colony of dermestids. I would view that as a con. Especially if you are working with limited facilities and face the possibility of conflicts with neighbors, this could be a factor to consider before the fact. Good luck.
Im designing a filterred / vented dermestid tank that I am hopin will allow you to have it sitting on your dresser in your bedroom if ya want and not cause any odours. I'll let ya know when I get the prototype done then ya can try it if ya want on that other stuff we were talking about =) Until then tho - yup -they can be kinda stinky =) Ya gotta keep em fed too - they are voracious... I think lack of food may be what wiped my colony out... I left a coon leg in there and went away for a few days around our Thanksgiving. When i got back it was the cleanest dang bone I've ever seen; but all my larvae and most of my were dead =( The REALLY bad part is... I had just sold all my adults toa friend so they could start a colony at college, so bye bye breeding stock! Now with the onset of colder temps - no more dermies to be found... SO - keep them fed, no extremes in temperature (not a problem in an apartment - more of un unheated garage kinda concern) and yup -they will stink a bit ;) Pros? fast and EASY - they do all the work! Its the safest prep for the bone. I often simmer bones - but its done VERY carefully and with much monitoring. With dermestids you just plop yer bones in and dont worry about it =)
Yes, thay smell but no matter how careful you are thay get out so if your planning to keep in your house or shop or anywhere you have mounts thay will get to them.
Thanks! I think I'll wait until I can have a heated garage! lol