Microwaving substrate?

Freezing is suspect for effectiveness many insect eggs can resist freezing. Some bacteria and virus as well. Baking microwave is an effective sterilizer, I just don't know what would happen with wood??? I have a friend whom uses a BBQ to heat treat drift wood he has deep sided baking sheet filled with water and a second on top like a flat double boiler so it doesn't burn. I know one other whom uses boiling water over substrate and then dries in out after.

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Originally Posted by mackynz

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

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I really feel the need to ask this, and I felt like this thread would be a better place than a private message. What was the purpose of this post? The OP had an honest and completely valid concern dealing with microorganisms in the substrate that he was buying for his animal and was wondering if there were any steps that he could take to kill them. The first post in response, the first response that all people see when reading the thread, was your useless, smart-butt comment. If you aren't going to be helpful and just feel like being rude, then why post in the first place?

To the OP - If you wanted to microwave it you would need to get it wet and it would have to heated throughout to kill anything harmful. Microwaves kill with the heat that is generated, not the radition itself, as the wavelength is far longer than the body size of what you'd be trying to kill. Freezing might kill some stuff but it doesn't sterilize anything. You can compare this to freezing food - it extends the shelf life because you stop any bacteria from growing, but when you thaw it back out they are still there and pick up where they left off. Baking may work, but I am not sure what the flashpoint of Aspen chips is, and I advise against it.

That said, I agree with other posters that have voiced their opinions of not needing to sterilize the substrate. Why do you feel a need to do this?

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

Why do you feel a need to do this?

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Well i think my ball is just getting over mites (hopefully) and i wanted to take other measures to prevent that he wouldn't get mites again, and i know mites can get in aspen bedding from pet shops :)

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Originally Posted by SRMD94

I know mites can get in aspen bedding from pet shops.

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I haven't heard that myself but I could certainly believe that it has happened. I've never had to deal with mites and don't really know much about them or how they are transmitted. Can a prey item carry the mites that will affect snakes? How is the mite treatment coming along?

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

Can a prey item carry the mites that will affect snakes? How is the mite treatment coming along?

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I am not sure if the prey item can carry mites, i don't think they would be able to because you can usually see them :)
and ye thanks i was treating the mites with not a good product, but i have finally bought one of the best mite treatments in the UK and i have saw any mites on my snake in a few days i am hoping they are dead in his scales but i do not want to soak him yet to get them out because i think he is going into shed and i don't want to soak them oils away, but ye its coming along good Thanks :)

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Originally Posted by SRMD94

Well i think my ball is just getting over mites (hopefully) and i wanted to take other measures to prevent that he wouldn't get mites again, and i know mites can get in aspen bedding from pet shops :)

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If you really want to pretreat your substrate for mites your best bet would to just get a can of PAM(Provent-a-Mite).

Edit: I just saw that you are in the UK so I'm not sure if PAM is available to you there.

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Originally Posted by C&H Exotic Morphs

If you really want to pretreat your substrate for mites your best bet would to just get a can of PAM(Provent-a-Mite).

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Can't get PAM in the UK :(

I use Callington Mite Spray.

There are cases of people getting mites that claim it most likely came from the bedding due to there being no other factors that would bring them on (getting a new snake, visiting other snakes, feeders with them, ect) My theory is that the eggs are in the bedding and don't hatch until introduced to the higher temps in the reptile cage. However these claims seem to be few and far between, so I think it's pretty rare. I personally don't worry about it, but if you want, there nothing wrong with baking it in the oven for a while.... your not going to burn your house down lol. I wouldn't use the microwave, without getting into detail, it's not ideal for your intent.

If you buy Sani-Chips they go through a crazy process to make sure they clean and come in an auto clave able bag. Given there process though I doubt you'd need to autoclave it.


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Originally Posted by mackynz

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

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by gsarchie

Baking may work, but I am not sure what the flashpoint of Aspen chips is, and I advise against it.

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These seem similar, just one is funny. You decide which!

Now to the topic at hand,

If your getting over mites and worried about them in your shavings switch to newspaper till they are gone.