Tree branches as decor?

[eternitylonger]

Can I use real branches as climbing decor for Beaux? Do I have to clean it or can I just stick it in his cage? Also, what would be some better ideas for climbing decor that is free and easy to get my hands on?

 

[suzuki4life]

I use a nix solution and dose branches heavily and then allow them to dry in the sun. Prevent a mite works also much more expensive alternative.

depends on what you want?

I bleach bath stuff in the summer I want the bleach wood look to. Also effective but takes more time.

 

[eternitylonger]

What kind of nix solution? What's it made of or where can I get some?

 

[suzuki4life]

"Nix" is head lice shampoo.

"Nix solution" is "Nix" plus water.


http://www.albertareptilesociety.org/caresheet/Onix.pdf

I have used it once a month for years to ward off mites in my quarantine area.

 

[FBradshaw]

You can also bake the wood in your oven at 300 for about 30 minutes, this will kill anything living in it and help dry it out as well.

 

[suzuki4life]

You can also bake the wood in your oven at 300 for about 30 minutes, this will kill anything living in it and help dry it out as well.

your temp and time frame is very excessive.

 

[protiemama]

Time and temp may be excessive, but it WILL kill anything living in/on the wood.
I have used driftwood and regular branches. Check the care sheets, I think there are some woods that give off harmful fumes. Sassifras branches will keep mites and lice away. In the south they grow in most wooded areas and are free. :mrgreen:
I also use river rocks I have found and scrubbed. They hold the heat great!

Sandy H :mrgreen:

 

[eternitylonger]

Oh cool. I am in the south so I might be able to get some, ha. But I really want to put some type of climbing decor in Beaux's tank because he is a little explorer. Loves to climb all over me and inspect my room, haha.

 

[suzuki4life]

Time and temp may be excessive, but it WILL kill anything living in/on the wood.
I have used driftwood and regular branches. Check the care sheets, I think there are some woods that give off harmful fumes. Sassifras branches will keep mites and lice away. In the south they grow in most wooded areas and are free. :mrgreen:
I also use river rocks I have found and scrubbed. They hold the heat great!

Sandy H :mrgreen:

your temps will kill things like mites but many endospores produced by bacteria will survive (they are claimed to survive almost anything known to mankind). So your excessive measures really aren't needed.

 

[JeepMiller09]

I have done the baking for 30 mins and have had no problems. Also it makes my house smell good! If that's excessive how long would u bake it for?

 

[suzuki4life]

Most insects won't survive high 100 range. Excluding endospores and rare extremophiles, most microrganisms won't survive 200. The time frame will be determined by how long it takes for the material to reach these temperatures. That will be determined by composition, moisture, density etc.

I personally just try to kill insects, therefore I just spray my stuff and let it dry out. I am trying to create an environment hence I don't care if "some" bacteria survives.

My monitor cages have moss growing, crickets breeding and tons of isopods, roaches, superworms, mealworms, flies, gnats and other walks of life evolving in them. I don't try to make them live in an aseptic environment anymore than I would want to raise a child in a plastic bubble. It would be unfair in my opinion.

 

[Jess]

I soak wood in a 10% bleach solution for 15 minutes, and then soak it in plain water for an hour or so to get all the bleach-ness out of it. It's worked great for me so far. I'd rather not have any strange bugs or bacteria in my viv... Our captive beardies don't have the immune system or tolerance that a wild one would have, and unless you live in Australia the bugs/bacteria/ect. aren't in their native habitat so you don't always know how it can affect them. JMO. :wink:

 

[suzuki4life]

If you feed your bearded vegetables, you have exposed it to ANY bacteria or flora it will most likely encounter on a branch.

Or do you bleach your food also?

 

[JeepMiller09]

The only thing I would watch out for is when ur bd climbs on it there my be little shavings that fall off. My bd would eat them sometimes so I ended up taking it out. Just something to watch out for!!

 

[Jess]

If you feed your bearded vegetables, you have exposed it to ANY bacteria or flora it will most likely encounter on a branch.

Or do you bleach your food also?

Nope, but I wash it pretty well. I'd just rather not take unessecary risks. I'd feel pretty bad if I decided not to clean something I got from outside, and accidentally got mites or something in my viv. I read a post about someone who had their viv raided by ants after they stuck a log from outside in it. Personally, I don't see anything wrong with being extra careful... My beardie isn't missing out on any life experiences by not being exposed to a wide range of bacteria. :roll: