[Nhcoll-l] Killing dermestids from large cervid skulls

[Simon Moore]

I agree with Katrina for this as the 1,4 (or para) dichloro-benzene does kill off little critters effectively. I used to use it in taxidermy cases and entomology collections until it was banned from use in the UK being an organ-chlorine!  It dissipates quite quickly and I find it more effective than naphthalene which was in UK mothballs and can make one feel woozy!

With all good wishes, Simon 

Simon Moore MIScT, RSci, FLS, ACR
Conservator of Natural Sciences and Cutlery Historian.

www.natural-history-conservation.com


> On 1 Aug 2025, at 18:12, Jacqueline Miller <jmiller at rom.on.ca> wrote:
> 
> Hello Katrina,
> I would adopt the second option, but I would not advise isoflurane.  Instead, try 1,4-Dichlorobenzene (what is used in “mothballs” or toilet bowl deodorant).
>  Hope you find this useful.
> Jacqui
>  Jacqueline Miller, PhD (She/Her/Hers)
> Collections Technician 2  -  DNH 
> 
> 100 Queen's Park
> Toronto, ON M5S 2C6
> 416 586 5769
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> 
> Le ROM reconnaît que le Musée est situé sur les terres ancestrales des Wendats, de la Confédération des Haudenosaunee et de la Nation Anishinabek, y compris la Première Nation des Mississaugas de Credit, et qu’ils occupent ces terres depuis la nuit des temps.
>   From: Nhcoll-l <nhcoll-l-bounces at mailman.yale.edu> On Behalf Of Derieg, Katrina
> Sent: August 1, 2025 12:08 PM
> To: nhcoll-l at mailman.yale.edu
> Subject: [Nhcoll-l] Killing dermestids from large cervid skulls
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> 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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