A commonly asked question i find myself answering on a large UK reptile forum (RFUK), is how/whether to treat wood for use with reptiles.
So here we go...
As the UK does not have native snake or lizard mites, there really is not much to worry about.
I'm aiming this at foraged wood...
Wipe/brush the branch down and give it a look over for anything suspicious (rot, fungus etc - sometimes *though i prefer not to* i'll strip the bark from the wood to get a better look if i'm in doubt or if its been fallen for quite sometime) and lob it in the enclosure.
As long as it is not a softwood/evergreen then it will be fine.
Softwoods/evergreens, like pine, release a toxin that is poisonous to reptiles, Its said to be fine if fully dried and cured...and many keepers treat with many layers of varnish....i personally would avoid completely considering there is already a wide choice available.
There is also a debate whether Cherry wood is safe or not, but for every nay there is a yap...so that will be strictly down to you.
Back to the treating...
No need for chemicals (bleach and other disinfectants), long relaxing soaks in the bathtub, Tanning till perfection (yet to find an oven to take 4ft of twisted oak!) or a 3 week vacation to La airing cupboard.
If its fallen and dry, Wipe it and look it over.
If its fallen and wet, let it fully dry (day or two in most cases) and look it over.
If its freshly cut, leave it to cure/season for 2-3 weeks to the full exposure of the great outdoors, then do one of the above.
Disclaimer:
People don't need to agree with my methods of course...but that IS how i do it.
Just remember to source responsibly...and i don't mean just chemical free areas. If there is something living under there be that group of inverts or phib..then leave the darn home alone and help the local wildlife out.
Bare in mind that we are all different and will use different methods...doesn't mean any are right or wrong.
If i'm swapping wood between enclosures then i wash in very hot soapy water and allow to dry.
In my setups i have used a mixture....mainly bamboo canes as they look great and are available in a range of thicknesses and lengths at a reasonably cost! Mine are standard garden canes as they are not the main branches in the vivs.
Amongst the bamboo i have used a selection of Oak and in Sousuke's enclosure, a shop bought vine nicknamed Monkey ladder.
There are some wonderful options available though and that only increases when you think outside the box!
Bendy vines are also a very popular choice with people that keep small - medium arboreal reptiles like Crested geckos.
So here we go...
As the UK does not have native snake or lizard mites, there really is not much to worry about.
I'm aiming this at foraged wood...
Wipe/brush the branch down and give it a look over for anything suspicious (rot, fungus etc - sometimes *though i prefer not to* i'll strip the bark from the wood to get a better look if i'm in doubt or if its been fallen for quite sometime) and lob it in the enclosure.
As long as it is not a softwood/evergreen then it will be fine.
Softwoods/evergreens, like pine, release a toxin that is poisonous to reptiles, Its said to be fine if fully dried and cured...and many keepers treat with many layers of varnish....i personally would avoid completely considering there is already a wide choice available.
There is also a debate whether Cherry wood is safe or not, but for every nay there is a yap...so that will be strictly down to you.
Back to the treating...
No need for chemicals (bleach and other disinfectants), long relaxing soaks in the bathtub, Tanning till perfection (yet to find an oven to take 4ft of twisted oak!) or a 3 week vacation to La airing cupboard.
If its fallen and dry, Wipe it and look it over.
If its fallen and wet, let it fully dry (day or two in most cases) and look it over.
If its freshly cut, leave it to cure/season for 2-3 weeks to the full exposure of the great outdoors, then do one of the above.
Disclaimer:
People don't need to agree with my methods of course...but that IS how i do it.
Just remember to source responsibly...and i don't mean just chemical free areas. If there is something living under there be that group of inverts or phib..then leave the darn home alone and help the local wildlife out.
Bare in mind that we are all different and will use different methods...doesn't mean any are right or wrong.
If i'm swapping wood between enclosures then i wash in very hot soapy water and allow to dry.
In my setups i have used a mixture....mainly bamboo canes as they look great and are available in a range of thicknesses and lengths at a reasonably cost! Mine are standard garden canes as they are not the main branches in the vivs.
Amongst the bamboo i have used a selection of Oak and in Sousuke's enclosure, a shop bought vine nicknamed Monkey ladder.
There are some wonderful options available though and that only increases when you think outside the box!
Bendy vines are also a very popular choice with people that keep small - medium arboreal reptiles like Crested geckos.