Enclosure preparation

[cowbully]

We got these 2 new climbing limbs for our pied ball today..our buddy owns a reptile store and he had the just laying around so he gave them both to us..and they are perfect, cause our lil male is certainly a climber..
So my question is...how do i prep these 2 sticks so i know they are safe and sanitized..all the driftwood that i get from my local marsh (since most of Delaware is marsh land) and use with my critters,i use bleach and water for a few days and drying them out a few days..but its winter..what is the best way to sanitize them..thank you

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[martin82531]

I have heard some people baking their wood in an oven.


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[martin82531]

Here is another thread I found that also discuss the topic. http://ball-pythons.net/forums/showt...1-baking-hides

[cowbully]

Yes i heard about the baking wood deal..just never heard bout the process

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[Raven01]

For wood I always use the bleach-water soak followed by 3 days of pure water soak (with water changes every day) and a 200 degree Fahrenheit bake to dry.
I would be hesitant to use wood that was found due to the chance some could be cedar.
You can make your own driftwood easily (although it takes time) and that way make sure you don't have any softwoods at all.
For Ball Pythons I don't think mould is likely to be an issue but, if this is for snakes with higher humidity requirements I would suggest once you have the piece dry and looking the way you like to seal it with a couple coats of diamond floor finish lacquer and allowing it to thoroughly dry. That way it is both easily cleaned and unlikely to start growing mould in humid terrariums.

[cowbully]

Thank you..i plan on the normal bleach and water soaking and scrubbing..then i will try the oven baking for 20 minutes

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[SlitherinSisters]

Either bake them or freeze them over night. I'm not sure how long you would need to bake them for though.