I need to put all my mounts in storage for a few years. Does anyone have any advice for how best to protect my mounts while they're there in storage (from bugs, mice, the elements, etc)? I'm planning to put them in a crate insides the unit. Should I seal them in plastic bags inside the crate? Should I use a sealant to seal the edges of the crate like a fish tank? Any and all ideas are appreciated.

If you are going to seal them in a crate, buy some of those Shell No Pest Strips, or their current equivalent, and hang them in the crate around the mounts. You have to change them once in a blue moon, but they are the best long term insecticide I can think of that won't leave residue on your mounts as spraying something will, plus, they leave no nasty bug spray smell!
No Pest Strips

Also place some silica gel packs around on the bases of the mounts ... these will prevent and absorb moisture.
Silica Gel Packs

Good luck to you!

John.

I'm no taxidermist but could you wrap each trophy maybe with a couple of silica gel packs in plastic, then box them (probably individually) and then fill the space with that expanding foam that builders use to fill voids?

Hey Alan, Are you moving south ? if so I think Johns idea is a good one. Once in plastic bugs probably wont be a problem. Keeping mice out will be your biggest concern. And also depending on where your going the temprature and hunity fluxuation in Cali be prety extreme, and we have talked about that in terms of druming. Without climate control you'll need to do something, like insulate to stabilize big temp and humity swings.

Wrapping a mount in plastic for long term storage is a BAD IDEA! Why? There is no faster way to build up humidity on your mount than covering it in plastic. Also, with plastic comes mold growth. Plastic wrapping, with silica gel packs is defeating the purpose of the silica gel packs! A HUGE no no!

If you can find a storage center with climate control, then the two precautions I outlined will work out fine. Most storage facilities today have climate control. Even the PODS are kept in climate controlled facilities.

John.

Anthony, yes, I moved south to San Diego. My new place is just too small for a lot of my stuff, so the animals need to go in to storage.

Okay, so it seems like what I need is:
- Climate controlled storage unit
- Crate for animals
- Insecticide strips
- Silica gel packets

What about sealing the edges of the crate? Good idea/bad idea?

Thanks for the help everyone!

San Diago cool, the climate the is pretty pretty stable..not much fluxuation in temp or humity. Especialy if you inland a bit. Why not seal the edges with silicone cualking, the box or crate will breath and it might help keep the critters out.
Good luck down there and let me know if there is any thing I can help you with....Anthony

Again, Second the idea behind NO PLASTIC...your mounts will rought with mildrew and bacteria...might want to look at a local museum, that might hold them for you a while, and display them, local community museums, sometimes are dying for displays,

climate control storage, in a nice place would be my idea. How many mounts are we talking here?

8 shoulder mounts total. Mostly deer sized, some a bit bigger.

To seal or not to seal?

If you can seal out the moisture completely or completely absorb the moisture with silica there is no reason not to seal.

The issue with moisture is growth of mildew or mold which will attack (eat) the skin, hair etc, to some degree.

If you start with older completely dry mounts that have been in a relatively low humidity enviroment and pack the mounts into a crate made of dry wood and include enough silica to absorbe any trace moisture, and then store in a climate controled enviroment I'd think that sealing air tight probably would not hurt. As it will keep the mounts clean and bug free, Assuming they go in bug free, so just in case the bug strips is a good precaution. Also Moth flakes absorb oxygen so "help" prevent insect and mold.

The dangers to plastic wrapping of mounts is more of a problem in areas of high humidity and light or heat fluxuations which cause condensation.

Best regards
Mike Ohlmann
Mike's Custom Taxidermy Inc.
4102 Cane Run Rd.
Louisville KY 40216
502-448-1309
Mike@mikescustomtaxidermy.com