Building hides from wood...

[portlandog]

Are there any types of wood I should use? Avoid?

Thanks.

 

[Northstar Herp]

I wouldn't worry too much about the wood harming the gecko, it's not like they chew on it. However, I would avoid any of the more harmful woods, just because you might as well, there's no reason TO use them. Cedar, walnut etc... any wood that is considered pretty harmful to breath. General rule of thumb is that any wood used for outdoor stuff is the worst for you, then hardwoods, then softwoods.

Does that answer your question at all?

 

[Dakota_Ghost]

I wouldn't worry too much about the wood harming the gecko, it's not like they chew on it. However, I would avoid any of the more harmful woods, just because you might as well, there's no reason TO use them. Cedar, walnut etc... any wood that is considered pretty harmful to breath. General rule of thumb is that any wood used for outdoor stuff is the worst for you, then hardwoods, then softwoods.

Does that answer your question at all?

Personally, I disagree that softwoods are the most safe. Pine and Cedar are both softwoods and can be toxic due to the odor, fumes and sap residue. Some softwoods and hardwoods that both have potential toxic properties can be used for inside and outside furnishing, so, that does not offer an accurate scale to judge what it most suitable.

Dakota

 

[Northstar Herp]

I'm talking about what is considered safer for humans, and using that as a guideline for choosing wood for hides. Notice I already mentioned cedar to be specifically avoided. GENERAL rule of thumb is exactly what I said, and it's well established pretty much anywhere.

ALL woods are bad for you, the question is which woods are less bad for you than others.

 

[Thorgecko707]

i would use fruit tree woods if possible. i have had crickets eat the wood and then the geckos die from the toxic gutloaded crickets. we no longer use natural items or crickets because they eat anything.