Quote Originally Posted by Erie_herps View Post
If you sterilize it by boiling and baking/microwaving it shouldn't bring in any pests or insecticides. I always sterilize everything from outside (usually leaves) to avoid bringing in mites, flies, centipedes, spiders, snails, pesticides, etc.
I don't think "sterilizing" would remove pesticides at all- if there's ANY chance that decor (branches etc) from outside contains any pesticides, DO NOT USE THEM.

Also, while baking (etc) will kill most pests in the wood, it won't stop mold from growing later on. Mold spores are floating around most everywhere, just looking for a home.