If I have some shells that I just can't get to, that need to be cleaned,
I sometime put them in a box with sand and put them in my shed out back
and the flies and maggots will do the job.  When I used to get many
shells from the Scallop boats, I would sort out the important shells and
the shiney ones and clean them.  The rest would be put in a 5 gallon
bucket with a lid.  I cut a 1 to 2 inch hole in the top and let the
flies do their job, with very little smell.  The shell should be cleaned
out in two weeks to two months, then I pour in water with a small amount
of bleach so I don't eat up the operculums, and the bleach will kill
what bacteria is left and the smell is gone.  Even glossy shells that
have been overlooked usually will still be glossy.  The maggots must
keep the gloss intact when crawing over the shell.  Does anyone know
about this?
But I never bury shells where the soil might become moist, which is just
about anywere in Florida.
 
Bob Lipe
 
Bob Lipe
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