Heating Driftwood

[Scott&Nikki]

Wendy, I got it for my leo to climb. She is always trying to climb her fake tree, but keeps falling because she is too heavy. She climbs on top of hides and her log all the time, so I figured I would fill some empty tank space with something for her to climb. The "does it have to be sterilized" was my question. I mean, this thing caught on fire. Seems to me it did more harm that good.

About the wood itself, I was just lazy with my words in the original post but I think I corrected it after. This particular piece is not drift wood. I just dont know what to do now, because a previous thread was talking about certain trees that can kill a leo. I don't know if this is a safe wood.

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

I think its pine that is not good for leos.

Id just soak it in bleach and water and rinse it really well and let it sun dry that should kill most of the bacteria. I have large rock for mine to climb on, much easier to sanitize than wood.

 

[gothra]

I usually rinse the wood through plain water, then wrap in foil before putting it in the oven. I only bake at 300 degrees but for 45 minutes. The foil will trap the moisture and the wood won't burn as easy.

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

Again, 45 minutes will not do much of anything at 300 degrees since a pencil needs 18 hours at 320 and a moist bake is less effective than a dry bake.

I don't think the leo will try to eat the wood, they may lick moisture off it if water is not available but I doubt it. A good bleach and water soak followed by a really good rinse with a good sun dry and a moderate bake of 4-8 hours at 200 should work for what is needed.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Ok, so I understand the driftwood, but I still don't get what to do with this other piece with the sap that caught fire after 5 minutes at 375. I soaked it in a rolling boil today for about 30 minutes, but is that enough?

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

probably, you can try to scrape off the sap, boiling it longer may also heat the sap up and get it off.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

probably, you can try to scrape off the sap, boiling it longer may also heat the sap up and get it off.

That first boil got about 90% of the sap off, plus more from inside the wood. There are only a few specs now. So it should be fine if I just cut those parts off with a razor or something?

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

yeah, it should be fine, its not like the leo will be eating it or anything.

 

[Scott&Nikki]

Wendy, thank you very much for helping me with this.

 

[dragonflyreptiles]

No problem, Ive had driftwood issues before too lol