How to Bleach Skulls.

Lance,

Have you ever thought of using the dermested beetles for this activity? I am thinking about using them for some skulls, and I was wondering if you had checked them out?
 
For such thing as a Bear or Cougar, they would be great. They do a wonderful job, but the cost is just not worth it for a coyote in my opinion. Especially if you plan on doing several of them.... unless you bought your own. Remember though, you still have to feed them in order to keep them alive and i hear the smell aint to pleasant. Im sure there is still some whitening or bleaching that is needed after the beatles are through.
 
We used to use beetles when I was a biology student in college. (Of course this was 20+ years ago when animal rights etc. were not so prevalent) They take awhile and you have to have a secure warm environment (we used a fish aquarium), but they do an awesome job! My professor actually collected some from a deer carcass in the woods...I think they are pretty rare in my area these days.
 

[*]1. Draws backs to the dermesteds is they multiply like rabbits, therefore outgrow thier containment quickly.

[*]2. They need a constant supply of food, which means beetle dung up the WaHoo, and these guys can sqeeze it out lemme tell ya.

[*]3. They are a taxidermists nightmare, because if they get out and get around hides in the shop...one beetle can quickly raise some serious cane, especially if it's a female and she finds a place to lay some larvae.

[*]4. Cost wise, they save nothing. They need to be ordered in, and unless your doing skulls year round, they'll starve and die off.[/list]

But yes they do a good job. I'd just as soon not have them within a 50 mile radius of my shop though. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
RiverRunner is exactly right. We had to be really careful of letting those get away and they are a pain to take care of. I'd stick to other methods.
 
I was wondering if soda ash is bakeing soda?
I also wanted to know where do you go to find magnesium carbonate? Or are these products called by some other name that can be found in the local store?
Shawn
 
I AM NOT SURE, BUT WHEN I WENT TO THE "BLEACHING SKULLS" LINK THAT WAS POSTED AT THE TOP OF THIS THREAD BY CRAPSHOOT I AM HAVING TROUBLE FINDING THE INGREDIENTS THAT ARE NEEDED TO BLEACH MY COYOTE SKULL
 
Shoot I have a deer skull I let the critters get the big stuff off of and was wanting to try this ... from the looks of it it'd be easier to pay someone to do it .... Any takers ?
 
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