Microwaving substrate?

i was wondering if you could do anything to ASPEN Substrate like

• Microwaving
• Oven
• Freezer

Just in case it has anything in it?

Any ideas?

Thanks A Lot

Depends on if you want to burn your house down or not.

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Originally Posted by mackynz

Depends on if you want to burn your house down or not.

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Lol ill take that as a no?
is there anything i could do like washing the substrate before using then warming it up?
i just want to prevent my ball from getting mites again.

Thanks

Yea can freeze it for a few weeks and that would probably kill anything. Spreading it on a baking sheet and baking it would probably work too. You may have to soak it in water first though. Ive never heard of microwaving.

I wouldnt bother with it though, i doubt that you wouldnt be able to see mites in your aspen if thats what youre worried about.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mackynz

Depends on if you want to burn your house down or not.

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Don't be so insensitive. He could also be in an apartment.


You want to sterilize the aspen? From what exactly? Bugs? Bacteria?

Don't think you have much to worry about with aspen if bought from a pet supply store.

The only reason people do this is if bought from a hardware store (cypress mulch etc.) And it's intended use is outdoor landscaping.
Not sure if aspen could be baked the same way cypress mulch is...:confused:

Sent from my DROID RAZR using Tapatalk 2

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Originally Posted by Poseidon

You want to sterilize the aspen? From what exactly? Bugs? Bacteria?

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Just to be safe from anything.

But i am sure as Mike said i would be able to see Mites in aspen, Thanks for the replies.

Aspen has all sorts of mite-like specks in it :) I don't think you have to worry though. Unless you're buying from some location that has all sorts of wild snakes crawling all over the product, it's not likely you'll pick up mites from it... if you are buying from a place like this, I suggest you dont. :P

http://www.repticzone.com/forums/Boa...s/1149311.html For bacteria and mold spores, the oven would work.

We regularly used an autoclave to sterilize Aspen substrate when I worked in a lab. I don't know what the burning point of the aspen chips are but an oven would certainly sterilize them. It is recommended to sterilize driftwood for lizard habitats in the oven for 20 minutes at 325F if that helps.