Log hide leaking sap

[Andi]

I recently bought a half log hide to use as a cool hide. After I got it home, and after further inspection, I noticed spots of sap, and some were breaking through the bark.

The hide also gives off a strong smell. I'm not sure what it is, but it smells like pine, or maybe an evergreen type smell.

I'm hesitant to use it because of the smell. It doesn't smell bad, just very fresh and pungent. I also did my best to "pop" all the sap bubbles and remove as much of it as I could. I rinsed it off, dried it out, and put it in the freezer for 24 hours as well.

Should I toss it or give it a try? or maybe just wait longer until the smell lessens?

 

[JIMI]

I have the same hide and noticed the same problems. Personally, I don't feel comfortable using it so it's stored away unused. I did use it for a small period of time as an extra hide towards the middle of my enclosure and found that my leo just avoided it. I love this hide and so does my leo: Medium Hide Box - Reptile Basics Inc
It's dark, secure, and very easy to clean. Best of all, there are no questionable substances oozing from the material!

 

[Conched]

I would toss it. Lots of other great commercial hides available.

 

[AlaskanBlizzard907]

Commercial hide beware.... I had a little basking rock/hide I'm sure many people also have them.... Amazon.com : Zilla 11630 Herp Hotel, Medium : Reptile Houses : Pet Supplies Not to easy to see, but it's the one in the lower right corner..It's yellowish sandstone color, and has one doorway an a large window an small window...
Any who my gecko was stuck in the large window... he had got him self wedged all the way to his back legs an couldn't touch the ground with front feet or back, an was just hanging stuck...... My wife noticed him what seems like a few after it initially happen but he was so exhausted from trying to get loose he had his eyes closed an labored breathing..... Once my daughter saw she began to cry thinking he was dead.... I told her I would save him, so my wife helped as I supported his legs, an I could not budge him so we i rubbed some cooking oil on him, an no go, then went for dish soap... also no go...I had to resort to a flat head screwdriver an a hammer. I chipped away carefully knowing if i missed once it would kill him....The damn hide was SOLID PLASTIC, of which i've never seen..was like metal I've seen concrete that i could break easier.... I finally got a good bit chunk'd away I could slowly pull him out...... I placed him on the couch to see if he could move an walk fine...He could, a small ring was around him where he had been wedged. But all was well.....the story goes on, i think i will post a new thread an tell the longer version....I've vowed away all store bought stuff...now if i want some wood, I'll go find it....And i don't ever have to worry about finding something so dangerous in nature.... hope it helps...!! I've been debating doin' this for a few but if ya need I can stroll in the woods an see if I can track down some natural dead wood for ya.....

 

[Completeleopard]

Well done for saving your Leo !