[Nhcoll-l] Killing dermestids from large cervid skulls

[Derieg, Katrina]

Hi folks,
I'm looking for some advice on how to proceed with some large cervid skulls I've got in my bug colony. One is a bull elk with a full rack, the other is a mule deer buck, also with a full rack. I don't have a walk-in freezer and none of my freezers are large enough for these skulls with their racks. The skulls are clean and I need to move them out of the bug colony, but I'm not sure the best way to get rid of any stray bugs.

Options I've considered:

  *
Bagging them up with some dry ice (will sublimate fast though, a little pricy)
  *
Bagging them up with isoflurane-soaked cotton (maybe not a good use of veterinary-grade drugs)

But I am open to suggestions if anyone has dealt with something similar.

Many thanks in advance!
-Katrina


KATRINA DERIEG (she/her)

Curator | Museum Collections and Outreach Coordinator

Phillip L. Wright Zoological Museum (UMZM)

Health Science 104  |   32 Campus Drive   |   406-243-4743

katrina.derieg at umontana.edu | umzm at mso.umt.edu

University of Montana

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