I wanna start a dermestid beetle colony but how?

[koolkid98]

Okay so i have been woundering how do you start a dermestid colony?I have found some in my house[they look like this http://www.extension.umn.edu/gardeninfo/insectgallery/images/insects/larderbeetle2_400px.jpg
so im thinking it is a larder beetle can these make great colonies?If so how many would you need?I only ever see the adults every now and then i hope i can find more[i see them lots in the spring around may-june]What kind of inclosure do they need?What do they eat?Do they need substrate?Any personal information is welcome.

 

[koolkid98]

Anyone??????

 

[Matt K]

You may want to use the search function on this forum, this topic has been covered many many many times.

 

[bhoeschcod]

Hi demon welcome here is a site i have found that helped me out a lot in starting a dermestid colony.BTW if you do in fact have dermestes Lardaruis{sp} they seem to injoy gold fish crackers.
http://www.ummz.lsa.umich.edu/mammal/dermestid.html

 

[koolkid98]

Thanks bhoeschcod btw do you have first hand experince with dermestids?If so what species do you keep?

 

[bhoeschcod]

Yes i do in fact have experince with dermestids.I keep larder beetles as that is the common species around here.I keep mine in a kritter keeper i use paper towels and goldfish crackers as substrate.I feed mine cat food and dead insects.