A couple of weeks ago I requested information on material to build a dermestarium. I had already built the box out of 7/16" OSB (waferboard). The box size is 24"W x 48"L x 18"D. One recommendation was that I use plywood instead of OSB, and I would have if the box was not already constructed. I lined the bottom with fiberglass matting (imbedded in resin), and came up on the sides a couple of inches. I then poured all the sides with fiberglass epoxy resin, but I did not use matting on the sides, for fear that it might create traction for beetles to climb. At the very top, I attached a piece of aluminum flashing 6" in width all the way around as more precaution against climbers getting out. I then repoured the entire box with another coating of resin. I poured over the transition to aluminum flashing to have a smooth area here so climbers could not crawl under the flashing as they came up the wall. To test the integrity of this box, I filled it partially with water, to see if there were any leaks. One day later, 2 places were identified as having seepage so I repaired these areas (in the corners) with more resin. I transferred beetles to the container five days ago. I have not had one beetle climb out as of yet. Finally, I have a large container that I can leave the top off if I want to control humidity, or if a large beamed deer is placed in, the beetles will fall back in the box, rather than escape. I found out about the resin in Rob Graves "Beetles and Bones". This book also offered a wealth of information about beetle management. Thanks to all in this forum and to Rob Graves for sharing information on using beetles for skull and bone cleaning. Oh yes...the cost was about $75.00, which is considerably less than an aquarium of this size. I found that the fiberglass resin could be purchased by the gallon at auto parts stores for about $35.00. I used 1 gallon and 1 quart of resin to line the box.
Return to Beginners Category Menu
while you have the top off,that beetles do fly.
I thought that the beetles could only fly if the temperature was like 80 degrees F or above. This is what I have read at least. Personally I have a lid on at all times, I have an insect collection and have had Larder Beetles (A type of dermestid beetle)ruin a whole collection box of specimens.
I was watching "Dirty Jobs" the other night and the host Mike Rowe visited Skulls Unlimited, and I noticed that we didn't have a lid as well.
I have only been using beetles now for about 6 months, so I'm still learning.
Although the dermestids can physiologically fly at higher temperatures, my experience tells me that despite such temperatures, the beetles will not fly if properly maintained. So the problem with an open lid becomes not one of the beetles escaping, but of unwanted visitors entering. Skulls Unlimited has the money and facility to keep the bugs how they do. Their company's methods cannot be an accurate model for the methods of many of us here, myself including. An open lid will likely attract annoying and perhaps dangerous guests into your colony. Thus if you're going to build a box that is going to stay open, you better have a plan for keeping the other buggers out. How exactly to do that, I have no answer, and I'd like to hear if anyone has had success. And for the record, the documentary about Skulls Unlimited was a load of crap. Anyone who knows anything about thier company or bone cleaning in general knows that how they cleaned the skulls on the program was terribly oversimplified and actually quite misleading. I was extremely disappointed...
and I do keep it covered most of the time. My beetles are housed in a climate controlled storage building that is air-conditioned and heated. Other insects become much less of a problem in a controlled environment. The type of material that my top is made of will not allow ventilation if too much moisture builds up in the box. This is why I wanted a box that the beetles could not crawl out of. My main problem is spiders...which the lid will not keep out. If I feed them what they can consume in 24 hrs, and no more, flies are not really a problem in the building. The time of year when I feed them large antlered skulls, most insects are dormant. However, I learned long ago that you never let your guard down with dermestids. I have had to start over colonies several times...they are always a challenge.