Wood Stoves

[sarahlovesmiike]

So in the new house we have decided to use a wood stove as our main heat source. I'm not really sure about what kind of trees we just chopped up, but they could have been pine trees. Some were birch trees.

I'm just wondering if we burn pine or cedar if it will effect my snakes? They will be in a different room from the stove, but not that far away. We haven't started any building yet, but we should be in by winter. I just want to be prepared.

[dmtrpt11988]

Ceder = death to snakes and reptiles, Pine is too.

[sho220]

Unless there's excessive smoke coming into the house I would think they would be fine.

[OhhWatALoser]

they say its the oil in the cedar or pine thats deadly so I think your fine

[unspecified42]

Have you used a wood stove in the past? Pine should be used with caution in a wood stove as it is a soft, sappy wood that can cause creosote to build up rapidly in your chimney (creosote build up = chimney fire).

If you are using lots of pine, it needs to be well seasoned.

I would stick to seasoned hardwoods. They burn longer and cleaner.

[Alexandra V]

I'm no expert, but it makes sense that your snake should be fine. I mean it's not like you're keeping the snakes on the pine that you're burning, and they shouldn't be getting a lot of smoke from it, so I don't see why it would be bad.

[cordell]

We always bought oak, cherry, almond, or eucalyptus to burn in wood stoves or fireplaces. Pine burns FAST! Cedar is oily and will probably smolder rather than burn.

[sarahlovesmiike]

Thanks for the info guys. We were clearing the land because no one has been living there for several years. We want to make a clear path to the stream for the dogs, so we cut down some trees (mostly birch and oak trees). I was just making sure that on the off chance some were pine or cedar that it wouldn't harm the snakes. That's the LAST thing I want.

I had just remembered that some one on here had a friend watch their house and they burnt an unidentified substance in their home, killing a few of their Balls. I think I should install a fan to keep on while the stove is going, just in case.

[WingedWolfPsion]

People are a little over-cautious sometimes. There is not something in cedar that is peculiarly toxic to reptiles over other animals. Other animals are adversely affected as well--presumably including humans, if we were forced to spend our lives in sealed rooms knee-deep in cedar shavings.

I wouldn't worry about burning anything in the wood stove.

[unspecified42]

I had just remembered that some one on here had a friend watch their house and they burnt an unidentified substance in their home, killing a few of their Balls. I think I should install a fan to keep on while the stove is going, just in case.

What about an air purifier for the snake room?