I "inherited" some old birds that my great grandfather mounted a long time ago (approx. 80 years). They have been sitting in a garage the last ten years, and before that, on a shelf in a old hardware store. I plan on cleaning these things up, but am concerned about insects. I do a lot of taxidermy on mammals, but usually stay away from fish and birds; and I have never did anything with a mount that someone else has done. It has been like twenty degrees the last week, is this old enough to kill any insects that may be in it. I want to bring the bird in and start cleaing it up, but don't want to find bugs everywhere. Thanks in advance.
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Now think about it. They're 80 years old and you're worried about bugs NOW? I wouldn't guarantee it, but I'd still bet they were mounted with arsenic soap. Never had bugs, never will have them. They're probably as clean as they'll ever get now as well. Just put them under glass. Washing them will likely destroy them anyway.