Sterilizing sticks from outside
- Thread starter jmrisnear
- Start date
Any2117
New member
I wouldn't know about trees... Any driftwood works if you live near the sea. Otherwise, what I did was wash the sticks with water and a little chlorine, left them there for a few hours and then rinsed them all and allowed them to dry for two days or so. My crestie has had no problems with them. I also have a few pieces of driftwood. Those I rinsed only and let them sun-dry.
I know people also bake their sticks but I've never done that =)
I know people also bake their sticks but I've never done that =)
Ophiomancer
New member
I scrub them down with plain hot water, and then bake them on the lowest setting of my oven for a few hours. Applewood is safe, and I believe that Oak and Maple are usually OK. Stay away from Pine.
Pirarucu
New member
Cedar, pine, and fir trees should all be avoided. I would be wary of any coniferous species, to be safe. Go with broad-leaf species.
I don't bother sterilizing them, there is very little reason to do so. Reptile parasites come from reptiles, not trees. Give them a rinse and stick them in the cage.
I don't bother sterilizing them, there is very little reason to do so. Reptile parasites come from reptiles, not trees. Give them a rinse and stick them in the cage.
Aimless
Super Moderator
magnolia, maple, manzanita, madrona.
I did have some tiny slugs hatch in a gecko viv once, but I've built cages for years just with well-rinsed and then thoroughly dried branches and have never had any other problems. Pirarucu is right on the money; aromatics in pine species are very bad for herps.
I did have some tiny slugs hatch in a gecko viv once, but I've built cages for years just with well-rinsed and then thoroughly dried branches and have never had any other problems. Pirarucu is right on the money; aromatics in pine species are very bad for herps.