How to Care for Taxidermy
If your taxidermy obsession has begun, then you're likely asking yourself, "How do you take care of taxidermy? How long does taxidermy last? Is taxidermy a good investment?"
Whether it's a large taxidermy bunny bird or a small taxidermy duckling, preserved animals need regular care so that they can last for decades to come.
In this guide, we will share with you easy to follow tips on how to care for taxidermy and keep them damage-free.
How do you Maintain Taxidermy?
Stay away from moisture & humidity. Taxidermy thrives in stable temperatures, so for this reason taxidermy needs to be climate controlled. Avoid setting up your taxidermy in garages, basements, attics, bathrooms or right by/above plants where moisture builds so that mould doesn't have a chance to form. If humidity cannot be avoided where you live, dehumidifiers can work wonders.
Limit exposure to heat. We understand displaying taxidermy mounts above fireplaces is a common thing as it looks really nice. However, if you do this, ensure you limit how often you use your fireplace as heat can ruin taxidermy over time. This is also another reason not to smoke nearby your taxidermy as smoke will damage your pieces.
Rotate your taxidermy displays. Rotating your taxidermy pieces occasionally will help minimise exposure to light and environmental changes. It's a good idea to display your taxidermy where it won't be accidentally bumped into as well.
Keep away from pets and small children. They might mistakenly think you've brought home a new toy for them! Due to the nature of the preservation process, various chemicals are used to stop decomposition. If your pets or children potentially swallow any of the taxidermy pieces, this can cause them to become very sick and require urgent care.
Unpack ASAP when moving home. Please take care with unpacking your taxidermy as soon as possible and avoid storing them in wardrobes, attics, anywhere moisture can build up. This will help avoid insects infesting your pieces.
Does Taxidermy Fade?
Exposure to sunlight will damage taxidermy. For this reason, do not display your taxidermy where UV rays will directly hit it and definitely do not display taxidermy outside. This will also help prevent fur from deteriorating.
Is it okay to Touch Taxidermy Animals?
We know how hard it is to resist the urge to pet your taxidermy. However, oils from your fingers can damage your taxidermy overtime and also disrupt the natural hair patterns, so avoid touching them as much as possible.
If you really must, make sure to pet in the direction of the fur or feathers.
How to Clean Taxidermy
Use a feather duster, soft brush or microfiber cloth to gently remove buildup and ensure you clean in the direction of the fur/feathers.
For smaller animals such as ducklings and birds, you can use a cotton ball to gently dust them.
You can use hair dryers on the coolest, most gentle setting at arms length in the direction of the fur/feathers to gently dust.
For antlers and horns, a damp rag can be used to clean them.
Vacuuming around the area your taxidermy is displayed will help remove lint, hair and other food sources for pests.
If the room your taxidermy is displayed gathers a lot of dust, we recommend cleaning your taxidermy at least once a week. Regular dusting will help your taxidermy piece from any fading and discolouration.
Glass domes are a great option for protecting your taxidermy.
Do not use chemical-based household cleaners to clean taxidermy as they will leave oily residue on your pieces and damage them. Some people recommend using Windex and vinegar to clean taxidermy, however, we do not recommend this as it is far too risky in our opinion to be using chemicals.
If you need to do a deeper clean on your feathered or furred taxidermy, the best cleaner for taxidermy is simply using a warm damp cotton ball to wipe in the direction of the feathers and fur, ensuring not to touch any painted and varnished areas. Allow to dry naturally. For eyes, you can also use a warm damp cotton ball/q-tip and clean in a gentle, circular motion to bring its sparkle back.
Help! What's Eating my Taxidermy?
Moths, dermestid beetles and cockroaches are known culripts for eating taxidermy, even when the preserved animals have had all of their organs, tissue, muscles removed and treated to the highest standard, it is still possible for unwanted pests to snack on.
If you follow our above advice and ensure your pieces are kept in a clean environment, it is unlikely you will have issues with infestations. However, it is still a good idea to check in on your pieces every now and then just in case - better to catch any issues early on!
Specs of dust, small black insect shells and shed fur are signs of infestation. Immediately bag your taxidermy and put inside your freezer for at least 3 days to kill off anything alive inside and unhatched eggs. Once removed, allow your taxidermy to come back to room temperature naturally. Continue to monitor your taxidermy to ensure everything has been killed off. If there are signs not everything has been killed off, you can follow this process again.
For larger infestations, it may be necessary to fog the entire room. Use insecticidal products like bug bombs. Seal off the room where the item is located, set off the bug bomb and leave it undisturbed for 2 days at minimum.
Ensure you monitor the rest of your collection, as these pests may have gotten into other taxidermy pieces. If so, follow the steps mentioned above.
If you follow our above tips, your taxidermy will last you a lifetime!
Looking to expand your taxidermy collection? Corvus Oddities has a wide range of taxidermy items available to help you build your collection. Check out our range here!
If you have any questions or need advice, please feel free to contact us at hello@corvusoddities.com 🖤
