Bugs in Taxidermy Mounts

[Sabre]

I wanted to start a thread for people to share their experiences if they have ever had bugs in their taxidermy mounts. Specifically beetles and moths, but open to hearing about others I may not have thought about. What was the extent of the damage? How far did they spread? What did you do to get rid of them? Were you able to permanently rid them from your experience?

Bugs in taxidermy mounts seem to be an increasing problem. I have heard that Arsenic used to be used in the tanning process and that kept bugs out of mounts, but it was banned in the 80s? Allegedly that's why more mounts suffer today.

I have read research that claims that 90% or greater houses have Carpet Beetles which are a species of Dermestid Beetles (the same ones that clean skulls and other bones for taxidermists and museums). Some exterminators put this number higher and believe that all houses have them, because when they do thorough inspections they claim they always find some husks from the larvae somewhere in the house.

Carpet beetles are attracted to light and are prolific outdoors, so it is easy for them to come indoors, especially in the evenings, attracted to the light.

Also, clothing moths are a common taxidermy pest. They are more likely to be brought in on old clothes or furniture already affected, but can also come from outdoors.

According to a woman who works at a museum and studies clothing moths, she also claims that they are present in essentially all homes. Although, I have found less evidence/sources claiming this. But they are small gold/tan colored moths. And they certainly are very common.

One thing I find interesting is how all taxidermy isn't constantly attacked. I have seen people who have mounts in very drafty locations with tons of outdoor exposure who haven't cleaned their mounts in decades and never have an issue. And I have heard stories of guys that keep all mounts inside the main house and clean them regularly and end up with bugs.

Some say it is an ineffective tanning job that causes them. But the vast majority of taxidermists and bug experts claim that is not the case.

 

[Pilgrim]

Is humidity a factor?

 

[MarkB]

Everything in your post I believe fully. There has been a sheep at my buddies shop for 20+ years that has never been Mount Medixed? Never had a single bug ever. Some mounted specimens attract bugs more than others. No rhyme or reason in my eyes. Old African mounts when tanning was with arsenic never get bugs, but that seams tanning could also harm us humans.

There is a thread on this from some time ago. My post on that one is the same as this one. Even more true now, my room has 75 or more mounts and I am religious about any insects.

The only PERMANENT answer that I can assure works is Mount Medix products. Mount saver and Mount Protector are amazing products. Its not real cheap but works 100% to destroy bugs and keeps them away. Spray my extendable 12' duster and wipe every mount twice a year. Spring and fall ritual.

No Bugs EVER.

MarkB

 

[ryno111]

This! Mount Medix

 

[Zinz]

I can mirror the same experiences as written above. Several years ago I had a serious problem with these little bastards. Some of my mounts were badly damaged, others weren't touched. I have hair slip (loss) on a couple of mounts but what really got me was how they got into the hollows of my antelope horns and ate them from the inside. I have one impala with tiny pinholes all in the tips. I know they were inside the horns of my buffalo, but I can find no outward damage.

I visited my local taxidermist and he explained how he was constantly struggling with the problem. He said he had never seen such a problem as we had been experiencing at that time (this is all in central Texas, north of Austin). He handed me a 1/2 jug of Mount Saver, instructed me on how to apply it and I have been using it ever since.

They are a Dermestid Beetle (carpet beetle) and eat the hair follicle at the base of the hair; this is what causes the hair to fall out. Because horn is a modified hair structure, these beetles will happily eat that as well (I'm talking horn, not antler here). Check your bird mounts as well. The beetles will eat the feathers.

How can you tell if you have a problem? Look for what appears to be fine sawdust at the bases of your horns. Also look for patches of hair that seem to be disturbed...brush that hair and see if it falls off. Look also for their shed skins like seen here:

One of the biggest signs for me was seeing the tiny moths in the house; especially at night when the room was mostly dark except for the TV or computer screen. I would see them fly near the light. These moths are tiny, but easily identified by their pale, ivory color with an orangish head.

These beetles are persistent but are easily killed with the Mount Medix products. Treat ALL of your mounts. I found they especially liked the backside of several whitetail shoulder mounts, where the cape is folded around the backside, against the wall. Seems they really like that dark area and feasted on that area. What a mess...

Initially, I took all my mounts outside and with the Mount Saver mixed in a small spray bottle, I misted the spray all over each mount, paying attention to the bases of horns and any pinholes I could find in the horns. For large antelope like Kudu or Eland, I removed the horns and sprayed up inside them. Mount Saver does have a slight pesticide smell, but it goes away quickly enough. A small price to pay against the cost of fine taxidermy.

Mount Medix is found online here: https://mountmedix.com/shop

I'd suggest everyone check their taxidermy at least once a year.

Ed Z

 

[MarkB]

McKenzie and Van Dykes taxidermy supply companies both sell Mount Medix products. I think it smells nice, when I enter memory room and smell that specific nice smell I know my mounts are safe. Comfort feeling.

No exaggeration, it really does work.

MB

 

[deewayne2003]

We had a bad problem with it several years ago in my cousins lodge where many of us keep our mounts.

Weird thing was it was only happening to mount from ONE single taxidermist and it wasn't just the whitetail shoulder mounts.... deer, bobcats and even turkey.

I asked the taxidermist about it and he gave me the excuse of.....
"It's a moth that wealthy people have in their homes because of expensive silk and wool rugs."

I then asked him if that was the case, then why out of 50 mounts in the lodge, why were his mounts the only ones affected by this "moth".

One whitetail shoulder mouth he did for me was particularly bad, it had larvae hatching out through the hide and the hair was falling out to the point where the mount looked like it had mange.

Some of the mounts had to be re caped, the rest of the mounts we shut inside a room and set off a bug bomb.

 

[Zinz]

it was only happening to mount from ONE single taxidermist

Same with me.. whitetail, reedbuck were both infested from the same taxidermist. Not sure if that's where my problem started, but it's likely they spread to other mounts in my house. I had one of those Zulu shields with crossed spears and the cowhide on that was completely ruined... all the hair slipped off. Thankfully, that was just a novelty piece and not valuable.

Ed Z

 

[deewayne2003]

Same with me.. whitetail, reedbuck were both infested from the same taxidermist. Not sure if that's where my problem started, but it's likely they spread to other mounts in my house. I had one of those Zulu shields with crossed spears and the cowhide on that was completely ruined... all the hair slipped off. Thankfully, that was just a novelty piece and not valuable.

Ed Z

Yeah, the taxidermist that we had issues with is our local guy that was doing our deer mounts for years; I think he started taking short cuts and the larva appeared.

I asked other competent taxidermists and was told that it was most likely do to an improperly tanned cape that rehydrated.

Like you, the issue started with only one mount and then it spread to all the other mounts this taxidermist had done..... Other mounts by various other taxidermists had ZERO issues.

 

[Sabre]

Everything in your post I believe fully. There has been a sheep at my buddies shop for 20+ years that has never been Mount Medixed? Never had a single bug ever. Some mounted specimens attract bugs more than others. No rhyme or reason in my eyes. Old African mounts when tanning was with arsenic never get bugs, but that seams tanning could also harm us humans.

There is a thread on this from some time ago. My post on that one is the same as this one. Even more true now, my room has 75 or more mounts and I am religious about any insects.

The only PERMANENT answer that I can assure works is Mount Medix products. Mount saver and Mount Protector are amazing products. Its not real cheap but works 100% to destroy bugs and keeps them away. Spray my extendable 12' duster and wipe every mount twice a year. Spring and fall ritual.

No Bugs EVER.

MarkB

That is an interesting method. If I am reading it right, you are saying that you spray the duster with Mount Medix, and then wipe the mounts with the duster?

Almost everyone I have heard of using that product mists it on, or sprays it on heavily for already infected. Your way is certainly quicker and easier than pulling them all off the wall.

 

[Sabre]

I didn't want to mention a specific product in my initial post, because I didn't want to seem like I was peddling anything.

I will list remedies I have heard of people using now.

Mount Medix as people have suggested in this thread.

Bug bombs for entire trophy rooms, although some people claim this doesn't completely work, which makes some sense because for pest problems in general they have mixed reviews. However, if you have a problem it certainly seems worth trying because some people report that's all they do and their problems go away.

Some people (I also saw this on a real tree video a while back on youtube) will mix a pest spray such as Bifren or Permethrin and mist their mounts once a year as a treatment or preventative.

 

[Sabre]

Initially, I took all my mounts outside and with the Mount Saver mixed in a small spray bottle, I misted the spray all over each mount, paying attention to the bases of horns and any pinholes I could find in the horns. For large antelope like Kudu or Eland, I removed the horns and sprayed up inside them. Mount Saver does have a slight pesticide smell, but it goes away quickly enough. A small price to pay against the cost of fine taxidermy.

So did you just mist the Mount Saver on all your mounts and that killed the active bug problem?

Mount Medix, to treat active problems, recommends basically soaking them in it. Which always felt extreme to me, but I wondered if it was necessary. It would be great to know if misting them killed an active bug problem?

Did you notice any oily residue left on the mounts from the Mount Medix?

Do you still regularly treat your mounts with Mount Medix? If so, which product and how often?

 

[MarkB]

That is an interesting method. If I am reading it right, you are saying that you spray the duster with Mount Medix, and then wipe the mounts with the duster?

Almost everyone I have heard of using that product mists it on, or sprays it on heavily for already infected. Your way is certainly quicker and easier than pulling them all off the wall.

Yes, end walls in room are 16' to peak and side walls are 11', I am one who does not like ladders. Used to do the semi annual rounds with a ladder. Then friend gifted me a Cabela's extendable wand duster. In my favourite colour, camo.

Now I spray the mount medix protector right on the duster until wet but not soaked. Extend duster, reach up and wipe whole mount with camo fluffy part. Big mounts, moose, eland I give a second coat all others just a good wipe once. Lower mounts I collapse duster and wipe them same. Floor mounts I spray directly, wolfs, bears, all rugs and long furred NA (goats, sheep caribou) take more product than thin skinned little or no hair African mounts. Finally I directly spray all habitats.

After I mount an animal I use duster and do same with mount saver, this first before it goes on my wall or hunter takes home.

I do this in spring when temps warm enough that fireplace is not used, then again in fall when heat is turned on.

I do not dry off product, let it dry on hides. I have never seen any negative issues, no change of mount colour, no loss of paint, hair or discoloration or build up of product on mounts. I also place bags of mothballs on top of my 12'x12' fir beams. Cannot see these from anywhere in room. When the mothballs have all dissolved I change to new packs.

I am anal about bugs, have got friends who lost countless mounts due to bug damage and them not looking closely. I remounted with purchased capes. I cannot afford that, Mount Medix is a very cheap guaranteed protection.

MB

 

[Sabre]

Yes, end walls in room are 16' to peak and side walls are 11', I am one who does not like ladders. Used to do the semi annual rounds with a ladder. Then friend gifted me a Cabela's extendable wand duster. In my favourite colour, camo.

Now I spray the mount medix protector right on the duster until wet but not soaked. Extend duster, reach up and wipe whole mount with camo fluffy part. Big mounts, moose, eland I give a second coat all others just a good wipe once. Lower mounts I collapse duster and wipe them same. Floor mounts I spray directly, wolfs, bears, all rugs and long furred NA (goats, sheep caribou) take more product than thin skinned little or no hair African mounts. Finally I directly spray all habitats.

After I mount an animal I use duster and do same with mount saver, this first before it goes on my wall or hunter takes home.

I do this in spring when temps warm enough that fireplace is not used, then again in fall when heat is turned on.

I do not dry off product, let it dry on hides. I have never seen any negative issues, no change of mount colour, no loss of paint, hair or discoloration or build up of product on mounts. I also place bags of mothballs on top of my 12'x12' fir beams. Cannot see these from anywhere in room. When the mothballs have all dissolved I change to new packs.

I am anal about bugs, have got friends who lost countless mounts due to bug damage and them not looking closely. I remounted with purchased capes. I cannot afford that, Mount Medix is a very cheap guaranteed protection.

MB

I really appreciate all your info on this. Can I clarify a couple points?

So if I'm inferring correctly, you are a taxidermist or do taxidermy for people? And before you send a mount home or finish one of your own you spray it first with an initial application of Mount Saver, then from then on you spray the mounts with Mount Protector. Is that correct?

When you spray your mounts at ground level, how much do you spray on them? Do you do like just a misting all over, or do you go heavier than that?

When you spray a longer furred animal like a wolf, do you just spray a heavier coating of the product on at once and let it dry?

Thanks

 

[MarkB]

Call myself a hobby taxidermist. Yes do all my own work and all Africa for buddies taxi shop, or when he gets too backed up I go and mount all he wants. He trained me 40 years ago, saved thousands on my own stuff due to him, I owe him. Plus I am retired and I love doing taxidermy, so satisfying.

For completed taxidermy on the final check before I or customer comes to pick up we take a rag, spray with mount saver and wipe all over gently. After that in the normal, mount hanging, and care talk we tell customer that mount protector is the best product we have found to use for bug safety. We have purchased many 1 Ltr bottles for customers over the years. Easier to add to an existing McKenzie order.

As for application levels there are many. For "hairless" mounts=aardvark, baboons, eland, bushbuck for example they only need a wipe with damp duster and mount protector, leopard, cougar, impala is next level, thin hair needs little wetter duster but not to point of soaking mount.

For the big hair stuff, moose, goat, sheep, wolf, deer and all hanging rugs, I soak duster, not dripping but very wet, I re-wet duster as required. I want animal to feel wet when I touch, then I let product dry on mount. Until reapplication in roughly 5 months. Product dries quickly and leaves no residue that I have ever noticed. Normal applications are April, and Nov/Dec timeframes.

I make sure product is applied around horns/antlers, around base back close to wall, around ears, down back and armpits. Anywhere I know the dam hellion bugs like to hide/eat.

Using the duster rag application method does not put overspray on walls and puts very little product on eyes. I have no idea what is in the products, website states its all natural. Again I like the smell, makes me know room is protected.

MB

 

[Sabre]

It's probably worth noting for anyone that doesn't know

when inspecting your mounts, the most common areas they infest are these:

Around antler/horn bases
The back edge of a shoulder mount where the hide/fur meets the wall
Inside ears
On the Brisket area of the animal

On animals with hooves they like that area (likely because of residual flesh left, just like in horns)
On animals with Claws, they like to infest around the claw areas

And worth noting that many people report that if they got an infestation it started with a horned animal around the horns, or from a bird such as a turkey.

So when you go and inspect your animals, check these areas closely first to see if any hair is loose or if you see any bug husks or active signs. And keep a close eye on your bird mounts.