Hi Scott,
 
I believe the family has various representatives throughout the world (well,
except perhaps Antartica). Insect collectors keep small trays of
paradichlorobenzene flakes ("moth crystals", as one company calls them) in
their cases and drawers. It is most effective in killing, and preventing
infestations. Rather smelly, however. You could segregate anything suspicious
and make your own fumigation chamber out of a box and a plastic bag.
Napthalene "moth balls", don't seem to work as well. But be careful if using
PDB. No contact with your skin, and try not to get a big whiff of the stuff.
If used long-term, it needs to be replenished on a regular basis, since it
evaporates. I used to use cut-up pieces of Shell No-Pest strips containing
Vapona for my insect boxes. They were very effective but messy. Something oily
(presumably the Vapona) would ooze out...I believe Vapona is no longer
used...deemed too dangerous for the general population to use safely...
 
Ken
Wichita
 
Scott Schubbe wrote:
>
> Hi Ken,
>
> Are dermestid beetles found world-wide? Is there any type of preventative for
> them? The thought of opening my shell case and finding all the operculums and
> data slips chewed to bits is horrifying. Can't imagine anything wanting to
> eat a nasty dried-up operculum. Except my dog once. I dropped it on the
> kitchen floor, and the little begger snatched it up, tried to swallow it, and
> proceeded to yak and wheeze all over the house 'til he got it unstuck off of
> the back of his tongue. Maybe I should of recorded that on the data slip for
> that shell.
>
> Scott
> Florida