Wood sterilization

[dsreptiles]

I was wondering what temp you guys sterilize wood furniture at before putting it back into another reptiles cage? I've got a ton of half logs from my old reptiles and would like to put it in some of my new reptiles cages, and i dont figure the soaking with bleach would work too well for two reasons, 1 i dont think the bleach could get everywhere and two... wood floats...

I remember I used to bake the wood in the oven but cant remember at what temp and for how long so if anyone knows please let me know.

Thanks.

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

I thoroughly wash and soak all wood furniture items in 10% bleach solution, rinse and rinse again, then either let them sit in the sun (if there is any) for a few days or heat them up in the microwave until the water 'sizzles' and allow them to air dry.

 

[dsreptiles]

thanks, we soaked them in the bath tub a few times but since they float and any weight we put on them only stayed on for a few minutes before the wood floated again we didnt feel it was disinfecting well.

 

[GroovyGeckos.com]

You really cannot clean porous surfaces enough to be re-used. I guess would be fine if you know the health of the animal that it was in with before, but I would never even consider this if we are talking about something used by someone else, etc.

 

[dsreptiles]

Well I found the old baking method that has been sworn by. I baked in my oven at 300 degrees for 15 minutes. I really cant think of any bacteria or disease that would with stand that along with being soaked in water for 2 days with bleach, warm water added whenever i went upstairs.

Would you still concider these unsanitary?

 

[Golden Gate Geckos]

Consider them sanitary!

 

[GroovyGeckos.com]

Sure, with the heat sterilization. Otherwise only since you know where it has been would "sanitizing" be enough. It is not possible to clean wood enough w/ regular cleaning products alone.

To "sanitze" and to "sterilize" are two seperate things.

I think the heat needs to go a little longer when you actually sterilize something(20 minutes minimum?). Im sure you know the only way to sterilize it would be heat(either in the oven, or to boil it)

I know you said you had used the wood previously, I just didnt want someone to read this thinking they can just clean someone elses used wood. Which is why I answered you that way.

 

[GroovyGeckos.com]

Consider them sanitary!

Sure, with the heat sterilization. Otherwise only since you know where it has been would "sanitizing" be enough. It is not possible to clean wood enough w/ regular cleaning products alone.

To "sanitze" and to "sterilize" are two seperate things. I think the heat needs to go a little longer when you actually sterilize something(20 minutes minimum?). Im sure you know the only way to sterilize it would be heat(either in the oven, or to boil it)

I know you said you had used the wood previously, I just didnt want someone to read this thinking they can just clean someone elses used wood. Which is why I answered you that way.

 

[dsreptiles]

well I should have been more thorough. These half logs had w.c. animals in with them. The one I had my first reptile ever on a w.c. savannah that was very infested w/ mites and ticks and lived 8 yrs in my care not too mention it was 2 or 3 when i bought him. But i didn't get the log untill he was healthy, and the other had a w.c. uro in with it that died in two weeks. So i wouldn't concider one of these half logs to be that healthy. Which is why im trying my hardest to get these steralized/sanitized, if it is possible. I cooked it for another 20 minutes after it cooled, and the wood glue that melts the "bark" to the wood was acctually melting it got so hot. So Dan what do you think? I mean if theres even a chance of anything (bacteria/disease w/e) living through what ive put these through I'd like to know.

Being an EMT and going through the OSHA classes I know, no human disease could live at temps that high or even bleaching the way i did. But reptiles could be a different story.

 

[steve75]

If you want to be safe rather than potentially sorry, you could just buy new half-logs, but I have used the baking methods you described with nary a negative effect on the animals.

 

[dsreptiles]

yeah I did end up buying new logs, I just hate to throw them away haha. ive used the method before as well with no negative effects, but stuff happens.