using leaves from outside

I have an ash tree that has just lost its leaves for the season. I'd love to dry some out and use them to mix in with substrate, but I am aware of the risk of bugs and mites .. . is there a way to safely bake them or freeze them or something to kill all the bugs?

Leaves bake very well...(it's called a bonfire!) :rolleyes: Personally, I wouldn't use them. Freezing doesn't kill germs, it merely makes them dormant, & leaves would
also get soggy, I think?

I think SerpaDesign boils them on his Youtube channel. From what I've read, the only negatives of that is they break down a lot faster -- if you're not doing a bioactive enclosure, that may not be an issue for you.

I think I'll just skip the leaves. ;)

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Originally Posted by FollowTheSun

I think I'll just skip the leaves. ;)

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It's up to you, I'm sure snakes would love a pile of leaves to "play in", but I'm pretty sure that birds can share plenty of pathogens that can affect snakes too...I'd be
concerned about that. Too bad, really.

A safer alternate would be silk leaves that are sold at craft stores. I’d just wash them first. If you go this route, I recommend staying away from the leaves or vines with wire stems.