Dealing with any Insect Invaders
If you should ever see a critter in your frame that you didn't buy with the piece, either a tiny beetle or a fuzzy thing about 1/8" or 1/4" long, you may have a carpet (dermestid) beetle visitor. These beetles occur all over the world, and have the job of cleaning up dead flies and such. They are the enemy of any kind of taxidermy, and also of dry insects, because they consider them lunch. Good News! If one ever got in your frame, they work pretty slowly, and leave obvious signs of sawdust. If you ever see evidence of dermestid activity in your frame, simply put the whole piece of artwork in your freezer for 5 or 6 days. If it is too big for your freezer, use a friend's chest freezer, or you could even temporarily put it in your garage or yard if it's winter in a cold climate. Freezing will take care of the larvae that are causing the problem. If there is dust left, you can carefully empty it from the frame, and put it right back up on the wall. With this knowledge and a little care, you could possibly have your artwork for many years-- maybe even for the next generation to enjoy.
