Disinfecting corkbark...

[Alicewave]

I got some corkbark at a petshop that I want to use in one of my enclosures. What's the best way to disinfect it before I put it in the enclosure?

[Emily-Fisher]

I would boil it in water and then bake it. But that's just my opinion.

[Alicewave]

I thought of boiling it but it seems kinda crumble. I think it would fall apart if I boiled or used bleach. I would just bake it but I don't want to start any fires. Any tips? Microwave?

[Zoe]

lol no don't nuke it.

Baking it is fine, just keep an eye on it, and if it starts smoking turn off the oven.

You could thoroughly spray it with a bleach solution, too.

Zoe

[V.hb]

dont use bleach, it gets right into the wood, and if you ever spray the bark the condensation could contain bleach agents.... What i do is use antibacterial soap scrub the wood down really good, then soak it, completely saturate the wood so its dripping. Next throw it in the oven @ 250 for a solid hour. By then it'l be dry and clean.

[Stockwell]

Nuking it should be fine, although it could possible explode...I've microwaved cork bark before.. I soak it in water first, then put it in a freezer bag..The water in it and on it will boil very fast and this should kill any bug-a-boos

[Linds]

I use make good use of my microwave as well. Very important, as mentioned by Roy, that whatever you put in be wet first. I learned that lesson awful quickly

As for cork bark crumbling, you don't need to worry about that happening. It can be used in aquatic setups (as an island, or to grow plants on, etc) as well as in terrestrial setups.

[Alicewave]

Thanks for the tips guys!