Insects at Home

Are the Insects Real?

Will the Colors Fade?
Yes, all of our framed and pinned insects are very much real. Because insects have their skeleton on the outside, they can be dried and will look much the same as a live specimen. Once dried and pinned, insects need only be protected from excessive handling, strong light and humidity changes, and other bugs (since a dead bug is food for live ones!) to maintain its beauty.

Do You Sell Un-Mounted Insects?

We have drawers full of pinned insects in our retail store. However, we do not ship pinned insects. We've tried in the past, but the damage rate was too high. However, if you're in our area, feel free to come in and browse!

Will You Frame an Insect For Me?

We offer our most popular insects ready-framed in a variety of styles. Because many of our framed insects are prepared overseas, we can sell them at a much lower price than insects framed in the United States.
Under normal conditions, insect specimens will maintain their colors and patterns. N0rmal conditions means out of bright sunlight and extreme humidity or temperature change -- excessive environmental fluctuations will harm any object. Do not hang your insect on walls that get excessive sun (if your paint fades, your insects will to!) or expose them to outdoor conditions or excessive handling.
If you are planning on hanging your insects in a bright location, think about what insects to pick. Certain colors -- most notably reds and yellows -- are more likely to fade than others. Many metallic-looking insects derive their color from light refracting off of scales or other physical structures rather than pigment. As long as the scales are not brushed off the wings, these insects are extremely fade-resistant.

How Do I Prepare My Own Insect Collection?

Our good friend Eddie Dunbar has kindly put together this quick guide to collecting local insects. Download the file here. Please note that this guide is an Adobe Acrobat format. Be sure to visit Eddie's site on the Insects of Greater Oakland at http://www.bugpeople.org. And take a look at The Bone Room's Insect Collecting Supplies to find everything you need to start collecting.