Taxidermy Fumigation

Drywood termite fumigation controls some taxidermy pests that commonly infest taxidermy mounts. Because Vikane® (sulfuryl flouride) is a trusted remedy used by many museums, we recommend that owners of taxidermy mounts consider upgrading their drywood termite fumigation to a “taxidermy” fumigation.

Here’s the Difference:

The effectiveness of the fumigation depends upon 1.) the concentration of the fumigant 2.)the amount of time the fumigant is present and 3.) the biology of the insect and its stage of life. For example, the metabolism of most insect eggs is lower than that of adult insects, therefore the fumigant must be present longer to kill insect eggs than to kill adult insects. Also, adult beetles require a higher concentration of the fumigant to kill them than do soft-bodied termites. When determining the dosage for a fumigation, the dosage necessary to kill drywood termites and their eggs is the lowest, and is considered the baseline.

What to Expect from a Taxidermy Fumigation

The standard fumigant dosage for drywood termites will also control adult carpet beetles, German cockroaches, and Brown-banded cockroaches–three of the 12 most common insects that feed on fur, feathers, and hides.

However, fumigating at a 6x higher dosage will control most larval, some egg, and all adult stages of the 12 insect species most likely to be infesting your taxidermy. That’s an effective preventative.

If you know that your taxidermy has an established beetle infestation, then a second fumigation will be required after the beetle eggs hatch and before the insects reach reproductive adulthood. For known cockroach infestations, a followup cockroach baiting program will provide effective control.

12 Most Common Insects that Feed on Fur, Feathers, and Hides

1. Carpet beetle, Anthrenus verbasci
2. Furniture carpet beetle, Anthrenus flavipes
3. Black carpet beetle, Attagenus unicolor
4. Common carpet beetle, Anthrenus scrophulariae
5. Larder beetle, Dermestes lardarius
6. Hide (or leather) beetle, Dermestes maculatus
7. Black larder beetle, Dermestes ater
8. Webbing clothes moth, Tineola bisselliella
9. Casemaking clothes moth, Tinea pellionella
10. Carpet (or tapestry) clothes moth, Trichophaga tapetzella
11. German cockroach, Blattella germanica
12. Brown-banded cockroach, Supella longipalpa

Additional information about taxidermy insect pests.