This is a common question that people have when thinking about burial and funerals. Bugs and insects are a natural part of the environment, so it makes sense that they would be a concern around caskets and graves. The short answer is yes, bugs can and do sometimes get into caskets. However, there are steps taken to prevent this from happening as much as possible. Read on to learn more about why and how bugs get into caskets, the types of bugs that may be found, and what can be done to protect against them.
Table of Contents
Why Bugs Are Drawn to Caskets
There are a few key reasons why bugs and insects might try to get into a casket:
The Body Inside
The deceased human body provides a food source for bugs like maggots and carrion beetles. These insects are naturally drawn to consume dead tissue. Even when a body is embalmed, some organic matter remains that bugs can eat.
Wood Material
Many caskets are made of wood, which certain species of insects will burrow and nest in. Termites, carpenter ants, wood-boring beetles, and others can tunnel and cause damage.
Warm, Moist Environment
The inside of a casket may present a warm, humid environment that many pests find appealing for nesting and breeding. This is especially true when caskets are stored above ground in mausoleums.
Accessible Entry Points
Even tightly sealed caskets have cracks, seams, and joints that allow crawling insects physical access if they want to get inside. This route of entry is more prevalent in older or damaged caskets.
Common Casket Bugs
Some specific bugs and crawling insects known to invade caskets include:
Maggots
Maggots are fly larvae that feed on decaying organic matter. They like dead flesh and can quickly consume tissues of the deceased. Maggots grow into flies within a week or two.
Carrion Beetles
Carrion beetles are also attracted to dead remains. There are many species that can detect decomposition odor from amazingly far distances away. When they arrive, they eat flesh, hair, and skin of the deceased body.
Carcass Feeding Beetles
Like carrion beetles, insects such as hide beetles and skin beetles rely on dead animal matter for food. They will lay eggs and hatch larvae inside the casket to consume tissues.
Ants
Ant colonies are attracted to the high protein food source inside a casket. Different ant species may build nests inside the wood, soil, or other materials in and around the casket. Fire ants are especially problematic in southern areas.
co*ckroaches
co*ckroaches are scavengers that will eat pretty much anything, including dead bodies. They can squeeze through tiny spaces and are notorious for spreading filth and disease. co*ckroaches are resilient pests that are difficult to control.
Termites & Carpenter Ants
Termites consume wood cellulose. Carpenter ants burrow into wood to nest. Both can damage or destroy wood caskets from the inside out if severe infestations occur over time. Powderpost beetles also eat away at wood.
Centipedes & Millipedes
Centipedes are predatory and hunt other small bugs inside the casket. Millipedes feed on decaying plant matter and prefer damp surroundings. Large numbers may enter caskets and reproduction can occur.
Spiders
Some spiders may take up residence inside caskets to catch other insects as food. Spiderwebs may contain eggs and indicate larger infestations. Widow spiders, brown recluse spiders, and others can deliver venomous bites.
Mites & Ticks
Mites and ticks drink blood from the deceased body. Ticks latch on firmly and swell with blood meals. Mites spread rapidly and can cause skin irritation and discomfort, even on the deceased.
Preventing Bug Invasions into Caskets
The funeral industry uses several techniques to safeguard against pests entering into caskets:
Protective Sealing
Caskets are designed to seal tightly to prevent easy access. High-quality caskets use premium materials and tightly fitted construction. Reliable sealing keeps most bugs out.
Lining & Bedding Treatments
Casket linings and bedding materials often contain insect repellent chemicals. This adds an extra layer of defense against pests crawling inside. However, linings wear over time.
Regular Pest Control
For above-ground interment in mausoleums, regular professional pest control services help keep populations low. This reduces the chances of infestations taking hold inside caskets. Fumigation is also used.
Delayed Interment
Holding a sealed casket in a climate-controlled crypt for a period of time before burial can prevent bug problems. This gives any hitchhiking pests time to die off.
Outer Container
A vault or outer burial container adds another layer of protection around the casket. This forms an additional physical barrier to block soil-dwelling insects.
Burial Depth
Burying caskets well below ground helps prevent tunneling insects from reaching them. Recommended burial depth is at least 2-3 feet deep. Deeper is better.
Sealed Mausoleum Compartments
Secured crypt spaces in mausoleums keep pests away from caskets. Small drain holes prevent water buildup. Well-maintained mausoleums deter insects.
Signs of Pests & Infestations
How can you tell if bugs have gotten into the casket? Signs include:
Holes & Entry Points
Look for bore holes, gnaw marks, and other small openings on the casket exterior. Cracked seams or warped wood may also provide access inside for pests.
Frass & Droppings
Piles of wood shavings, sawdust, or isolated droppings around the casket can indicate pest activity. some bugs leave behind clear signs of infestation.
Stains & Discoloration
Discolored spots, mud veins, green mold, and dried bodily fluids may suggest insects feeding inside the casket. Staining often results from maggots and flies.
Moving Bugs
Catching live insects crawling on or around the casket is an obvious red flag. Quickly multiplying numbers can point to a larger community inside.
Cocoons & Webbing
Spying cocoons, egg cases, molts, and webs near the casket may mean there is an active bug colony established in the area. Where there are coccoons and webs, more bugs will follow.
Wood Damage
Tunnels, shredded layers, and crumbling wood may imply termites or carpenter ants have severely compromised the integrity of a wood casket. Badly damaged areas require replacement or restoration.
Unpleasant Odors
Strong, unpleasant odors emanating from the casket can indicate pest activity and dead remains inside. Foul smells may also come from hidden fungal growth.
Remedying Pest Invasions
If bugs have already infiltrated a casket, there are methods for removing an infestation:
Manual Removal
Physically removing visible insects, webs, cocoons, egg cases, and frass deposits helps reduce pest numbers. This can be done by hand or with a vacuum hose. Repeat frequently to stay on top of new growth.
Freezing Treatment
Placing smaller infested items or caskets in commercial freezers for an extended time can kill bugs through freezing temperatures. Use walk-in freezers set below 0°F for 1-2 weeks.
Heating Treatment
Heating infested materials to temperatures above 115°F kills living pests inside. Use this method cautiously to avoid damage. Monitor internal temperatures with sensors.
Fumigation
Fumigating with a penetrating gas is very effective. Vikane gas, sulfuryl fluoride, is commonly used in the funeral industry. It spreads through all areas and kills all life stages.
Spot Insecticides
Applying targeted sprays, dusts, or foams directly into cracks, crevices, and entry points can eliminate emerging adult pests. This won’t stop reproduction inside, however.
Area-wide Residual Treatments
Residual sprays and granules indirectly kill bugs that contact treated surfaces. Useful for controlling activity in adjacent zones around the casket. Reapply monthly.
Prevention Monitoring
Traps and regular inspections to catch infestations early are key. Addressing issues immediately avoids complex and damaging infestations. Be vigilant about checking for common signs of pest presence.
Casket & Vault Protection Tips
Here are some additional recommendations for keeping caskets pest-free:
– Select high-quality, well-sealed caskets and outer burial containers to form protective barriers. The tighter the seal, the better. Reinforced models with durable materials excel. Metal caskets are very secure.
– Avoid wooden caskets prone to insects, or have them treated with varnish, epoxy, or wood preservatives to guard against damage. Look for caskets made from reinforced composites.
– Enhance the casket with extra sealing, such as rubber gaskets, polysulfide mastic, or silicone fillers. This provides supplemental blocking.
– Cover casket interiors with protective liners impregnated with insecticides for added repellent effects. Liners containing chlorpyrifos or dichlorvos provide long-term protection against pests.
– Include pest prevention devices in casket construction, such as stainless steel mesh, perforated zinc panels, or copper screens. Physical barriers keep pests away from remains.
– When storing caskets above ground, implement an ongoing pest control program. Monitor closely and treat aggressively at first signs. Prevention is vital.
– Hold off on interment for 10-14 days after death. This allows any hitchhiking pests to die off before burial.
– Bury the casket fully below frost line in the ground to avoid disturbance. Deep burial in well-draining soil with a vault helps prevent problems.
– For mausoleum spaces, ensure tight construction with doors that secure properly. Avoid openings, cracks, or ways for pests to enter from outside or adjacent compartments.
– Inspect caskets in mausoleums periodically – look for any signs of infestation. Act quickly to control isolated invaders before they multiply and spread.
– Maintain cleanliness and dryness in mausoleum spaces. Install adequate lighting, ventilation, and drainage. Take steps to prevent moisture accumulation and mold growth.
Conclusion
Bugs will occasionally find ways to get into caskets, especially over many years in the ground or in mausoleums. Modern burial practices focus heavily on pest prevention, but some infiltration is inevitable. The key is early detection and aggressive control measures when signs of infestation are discovered. With proper care and maintenance, most casket pests can be managed effectively. As difficult as the thought may be, some presence of insects is an unavoidable part of natural decomposition and the cycling of life.
