branch treatment

[Magdalen]

Hopefully this is the right spot for this.

In my never ending search for a decent reptile store in the Sacramento Area I went to check out a store on Monday. It surprised me for being an aquarium/reptile store. Good selection of décor, animals looked good, displays were nice, the staff was friendly, store was clean and no smells. I ended up getting a grapevine wood branch that is the perfect size for Thor (finally found something that wasn't a big piece) and food.

However, something someone said on here has me paranoid about hitchhikers on the wood. How should I go about treating it before putting it in with Thor?

[Scubadiver59]

Well, if it was me...I'd either soak it, submerge it completely; or, I would wrap it in AL foil (to keep it away from the heating elements) and then put it in a 200-350F oven for a time; OR, I would put it in the freezer for a day or two.

[Aaron_S]

What hitchhikers are you looking out for?

Parasites don't live randomly on wood, even in a store. They need food and a breeding ground. If you're paranoid just soak it.

[Magdalen]

The thread about what to expect at a reptile show - ie don't touch anything.

I've never really ever treated my wood before and never had a problem and I'd like to keep it that way. I might freeze it.

[dannybgoode]

I get my wood from the local forest - looks nicer usually and is much cheaper (free). I just chuck it in-theres nothing native in the uk or the us that lives on wood that can harm snakes.

[Magdalen]

Ok good to know. We actually had several downed trees at the barn this winter thanks to all the rain we got. If they haven't been sprayed I wanted to save some of the branches.