Can you use dermestid beetles to clean a bird skeleton? Does it matter on size of the bird? And if not what can you use?
Thanks
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For msot birds not only CAN you use dermestids.. you probably SHOULD use dermestids. Unless you are very familiar with avian osteology, using any method of cleaning that disarticulates the skeleton can be a might daunting. Dermestes are usually good about leaving enough cartilige on the skeleton to hold it together. If after the bugs have had their way with the remains and you want to clean it further... you can then then disarticulate the entire thing bone by bone, keeping track of every element and it's place, then proceed to maceration.