OK to use sticks & bark from outside in my terrarium if I bake or microwave it?

[LarryMac]

Is it OK to use sticks & bark from outside in my terrarium if I bake or microwave it? Anyone here do it?

[DirtyCoconuts]

ive seen on youtube vids that you bake it an hour or two at 350-400

the numbers vary so id go hot and long LOL

[Ray]

Personally, I have just done a heavy Physan spray, and let it sit that way for 30 minutes, then soaked them in plain water overnight before using them.

However... Over time, I learned that “store bought” slabs of wood and cork bark tended to be easier to use and lasted longer, especially in the moist environment of a terrarium. I have had wild grape vine last years as a mount in the greenhouse/outdoors, but rot in short order in a tank.

[Carebear2]

I have used bark from the woods.

I cooked it for an hour - the smell of chargrilled wood lingered for a day. So that is one disadvantage.

It lasted a good couple of years before going bad however even after cooking it for an hour I am 90% sure it still brought in some pests.

Won't be risking it again.

[WaterWitchin]

I learned terrarium building from my grandma as a child. She'd always just stick things in a big pot and boil them for awhile.

I've used various moss, plants, cypress knees, pieces of hedge, etc. I've learned in an aquatic environment to boil first. In a terrarium, I either boil first, or put them into a quarantine aquarium (I have a 10 gallon) with stuff growing in it that's easily replaced, and let it sit for awhile to see if I get creepy crawlies or adverse reactions. Then move to another where I want it. Or sometimes depending on what's in the terrarium (easily replaced) I just stick it in.

Mostly, I just use them, because I like living on the edge.

---------- Post added at 07:32 AM ---------- Previous post was at 07:31 AM ----------

PS UNLESS it's driftwood. I always boil driftwood.

[DirtyCoconuts]

Ww -always on the edge


I do not boil drift wood or anything but I do a loooong soak and that seems to be okay

Long like weeks

---------- Post added at 07:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:05 PM ----------

The drift wood I find is all from the keys and bone white so the only thing I am worried about is salt. The critters are way dead

[WaterWitchin]

Originally Posted by DirtyCoconuts

Ww -always on the edge


I do not boil drift wood or anything but I do a loooong soak and that seems to be okay

Long like weeks

---------- Post added at 07:05 PM ---------- Previous post was at 07:05 PM ----------

The drift wood I find is all from the keys and bone white so the only thing I am worried about is salt. The critters are way dead

Always.

I started boiling driftwood not for critter purposes, but algae. Kansas driftwood from a lake vs. Florida oceanic driftwood. Wanna see some more black beard algae pictures?

[DirtyCoconuts]

NO NO NO make it stop!!!!!!