The Bug Shed

The Bug Shed We specialize in cleaning and preserving your skulls with dermestid beetles

The Bug Shed is a unique business specializing in creating high-quality European deer mounts and skull customization through the natural process of beetle cleaning. At The Bug Shed, we harness the power of nature by using Dermestid beetles to clean deer skulls with precision and care. This eco-friendly and efficient method preserves the integrity and beauty of the skull, making it the ideal choice

for hunters and wildlife enthusiasts looking to honor their trophies. The Bug Shed was founded by Kayla and Justin Diffenbaugh, avid hunters who wanted to offer this specialized service to their community. As a stay-at-home mom, Kayla sought a way to build a business that would allow her to be present for their two girls while moving away from her previous career in healthcare. Their passion for hunting and love of craftsmanship inspired the creation of The Bug Shed, giving them the perfect balance between family life and a business rooted in nature. Kayla’s fascination with Dermestid beetles began as a child when her grandfather gave her and her brother just a few beetles for Christmas, sparking a lifelong interest. They started their first colony back then, and now, Kayla and Justin decided to revive this childhood passion, expanding it into their own colony for The Bug Shed with their girls. Justin, a commercial plumber by trade, took on the challenge of building The Bug Shed himself with just a little help from family and friends, he poured countless hours and all his craftsmanship into constructing this rustic shed from the ground up, creating the perfect space to house their unique business. At The Bug Shed, we turn your passion into timeless displays, ensuring each mount is treated with respect and care.

04/12/2026
🦌 A One-of-a-Kind Trophy 🦌This deer is something truly unique. It had wry nose (campylorrhinus lateralis)—a rare congeni...
04/12/2026

🦌 A One-of-a-Kind Trophy 🦌

This deer is something truly unique. It had wry nose (campylorrhinus lateralis)—a rare congenital facial abnormality where the upper jaw and nose deviate to one side.

You don’t see this very often, and it makes for an incredibly interesting mount. We made the decision to keep the lower jaw intact so the full extent of the abnormality can really be appreciated—and we’re so glad we did.

This buck is now being shown off as a European mount, and honestly… he’s just plain cool. Definitely one that stands out from the rest!

We love getting to work on unique pieces like this—every skull has a story, and this one tells it loud and clear.

If you’ve got something special in the freezer, reach out—we’d love to bring it back to life. ✨

🦌 We’ve got a big batch of heads heading out the door—including a coyote! 🐺The Bug Shed, is working hard to keep things ...
04/12/2026

🦌 We’ve got a big batch of heads heading out the door—including a coyote! 🐺

The Bug Shed, is working hard to keep things moving right along, even with our upcoming move. We’ll continue reaching out as your mounts are finished and ready for pickup.

We truly appreciate everyone’s support and patience during this time—it means so much to our small business!

Stay tuned for exciting updates about The Bug Shed’s new location! ✨

03/25/2026

🚨 The Bug Shed is MOVING! 🚨

We’ve got some exciting news—The Bug Shed is relocating! Don’t worry though, we’re only moving about 10 minutes from Columbia to Millersville, so we’re still right here serving you.

We’ll continue working as usual during this transition and will keep things moving along. If you currently have a head with us, we’ll be reaching out as they’re finished, and we’re hoping to have the majority completed before the move.

We appreciate your patience and support during this time—this move will give us more space to continue growing and improving what we do!

Stay tuned for updates as we get settled into the new spot 🦌✨

Another fresh batch of skulls headed home!🦌 Most of these are the classic European white mounts that never go out of sty...
03/06/2026

Another fresh batch of skulls headed home!🦌

Most of these are the classic European white mounts that never go out of style, but one got something a little different — a snowy white camo hydro dip paired with a barnwood plaque, and it really makes the whole piece stand out.

✨ Just a reminder that The Bug Shed is always accepting new heads. If you still have one in the freezer or from a recent harvest, now’s a great time to get it on the schedule.

Message us here on Facebook or call/text anytime!

We’ve been a little quiet… but The Bug Shed hasn’t slowed down! 🦌Here’s a handful of mounts we’ve finished recently — fr...
02/27/2026

We’ve been a little quiet… but The Bug Shed hasn’t slowed down! 🦌

Here’s a handful of mounts we’ve finished recently — from classic European whites to a fall camo hydro dip and even a buck with a rare fang tooth.

🌟 Reminder: we work year-round and don’t have an off-season. If you’ve got a skull in the freezer, now’s a great time to reach out!

Message us here on Facebook or call/text to get scheduled. 📲

We’re excited to help support our local PTP and Hadley’s school! ♥️If you need a discount card, you can get one from us ...
01/07/2026

We’re excited to help support our local PTP and Hadley’s school! ♥️
If you need a discount card, you can get one from us here at The Bug Shed!
Thanks for supporting our school and local businesses!

📢 DID YOU KNOW? 📢

Our Columbia PTP Local Discount Cards are available for purchase at local businesses! 🎟️✨

Supporting our students and saving money at your favorite local spots has never been easier.
Ready to grab yours? Stop by any of these local spots today!

* Union Station Grill: See Travis McCarty 🚉
* The Bug Shed: See Kayla Diffenbaugh 🦋
* Rising Sun Nutrition & Fitness: See Jessica Bechtold ☀️
* Andy's Market: Available right at the register! 🛒
* Basketball Games: Look for Jessica Bechtold and Erin Boyer 🏀

Get your card today, start saving, and show your pride for Columbia! Thank you for supporting the PTP! ❤️🖤

🎄 Merry Christmas from The Bug Shed! 🎄Thank you all for your business and support this season so far! We are incredibly ...
12/25/2025

🎄 Merry Christmas from The Bug Shed! 🎄
Thank you all for your business and support this season so far! We are incredibly grateful and can’t wait for what’s ahead in the New Year!

Today’s the last day of deer 🦌 season, and we just want to say thank you.Every deer brought to us, every recommendation,...
12/13/2025

Today’s the last day of deer 🦌 season, and we just want to say thank you.
Every deer brought to us, every recommendation, every message — it truly means more than you know, and we don’t take it for granted.
The season may end, but The Bug Shed doesn’t. We’re always open, and the beetles are ready.

We’ve been busy in the shed finishing up a lineup of skulls — multiple deer, a beaver, and a few bear. One detail we’re ...
12/05/2025

We’ve been busy in the shed finishing up a lineup of skulls — multiple deer, a beaver, and a few bear.

One detail we’re especially proud of is the bears nasal cavity. Every delicate turbinate structure is still perfectly intact thanks to our dermestid beetles and our controlled degreasing process. Other methods may have collapsed or dissolved those fragile elements.

Rifle season is in full swing — good luck to everyone heading out, and remember us when it’s time to clean your trophy.

11/29/2025

Late Thanksgiving wishes from The Bug Shed crew! 🦃✨
We’ve been busy keeping things moving in the shed, spending time with family, and getting prepped for our own time in the woods — but we didn’t want to miss sending our thanks to all of you who have brought us a deer or recommended us! ❤️

Good luck to everyone heading out for Opening Day of rifle! 🦌
Stay safe, shoot straight, and remember:
If your trophy hits the freezer today, our beetles are ready for it.

📞 Call/Message us anytime — We now have our new drop box up and running for convenient drop-off! While I always prefer to be there in person, this gives you another option if you need to swing by after hours.

Address

537 S. 13th Street
Columbia, PA
17512

Website

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