Tree from outside?

We have tons of trees down from a recent ice storm. . Can I take big branches and put them in her tank? Do I have to do anything before I put them in there

My Firefighter Is My Hero ♡
SFD-423

I just found a big hollow log Im going to bring in and use for my pinesnake, she is going to love it.
Ive used branches in the past no problem.I usually give them a scrub or soak them in the tub for a few hours to get most the creepy crawlies off. Some people will bleach or bake them but that doesnt work with large pieces.
Pouring some boiling water over them in the tub would pretty well to disinfect too.

Is there tress I need to avoid? And I think b I should be able to bake them I am not going g to do huge trees

My Firefighter Is My Hero ♡
SFD-423

It needs scrubbed with 10:1 bleach water. If possible bake it at 200-250 for 10-15 to kill bacteria and bugs that remain. If not isolate the wood by itself over a heat register for a week or two. The bacteria is your big worry here. I use natural wood in my enclosures too. If i cant bake it i dont use it. I also spray Reptile Spray for mites on the wood just to be sure. Your snakes health should come first.

Btw: pouring boiling water does nothing. There are more nooks pores and soft spots that bacteria and bugs can hide in that you can imagine. The water and heat will never reach these places. If you cannot fully submerse the piece for a few hours you defeat your own purpose...

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Originally Posted by firefightergirl

Is there tress I need to avoid? And I think b I should be able to bake them I am not going g to do huge trees

My Firefighter Is My Hero ♡
SFD-423

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Any kind of pine, being as snakes are not supposed to have pine. Also woods with alot of sap like maple are a bad idea. Its like a bad glue as it seeps from the wood...

I think the only trees to avoid would be cedar and pine.

I once had a mulberry branch I used in my parrots cage sprout during a particularly humid spring. The parrot loved it.