Is Borax the same as DP?

Submitted by Justin on 02/19/2004 at 00:49. ( ) 209.159.236.30

I'm sure it's in the archives, but I can't seem to find it. Is Borax and dry preservative the same thing. I've done a couple of birds and just used Borax only and really hope that is does the job for preserving the skin and everything else.
THANKS

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Not really but...

This response submitted by BigSwede on 02/19/2004 at 01:52. ( toivo.olsson@telia.com ) 213.66.86.149

... borax does the job just fine. Never use anything else on my birds, never had a problem in 27 years, from songbirds to swans. a REAL GOOD cleaning/defatting, then borax will be ok. Dp nearly always contain borax, but also talcum powder, alum and even salt. I stick with pure borax for birds, but any mammal bigger then a rat goes in the tan. But, that´s me. You should know, 90% of swedish taxidermists still use arsenic. Would´nt touch the stuff myself, never had. B / S


Arsenic? Or Arsenic soap?

This response submitted by George on 02/19/2004 at 08:38. ( georoof@aol.com ) 152.163.252.162

Justin, the complete answer is in the archives, but Big Swede covered it closely enough. The are NOT the same thing, however.

Years ago, we used arsenic soap. I'd think pure arsenic would be a tad expensive, even in Sweden and it really wouldn't do much for a mount except nothing would ever chew on it. At least not for long. LOL.


can use DE too

This response submitted by John on 02/22/2004 at 20:43. ( ) 68.44.241.219


I do not know if it is commonly used but Diamatrous Earth ( DE used in pool filters too)works as good as Borax. Just an option.


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