Collecting Sticks in Winter

[Yessabub]

Im setting up spikes free range and i need to collect sticks from outside and when i usually get them i put them in the oven for awhile. Because its winter and probably 0 degrees out here do i still need to? Also im using real big ones that wont fit in my oven how should i treat them?

 

[summoner12]

I would just make sure there isn't any mold on them... then maybe use dish soap and rinse really well? Also let them dry out pretty good.

 

[DJ Richey Rich]

I use a spray bottle 1/4 bleach 3/4 water spray branches really well let sit for 15 min then rinse off well but with any cleaner let branches sit a day or 2 to dry kind of like putting bleach or clorine in a pool you dont want to swim in right after

 

[sandrachameleon]

Im setting up spikes free range and i need to collect sticks from outside and when i usually get them i put them in the oven for awhile. Because its winter and probably 0 degrees out here do i still need to? Also im using real big ones that wont fit in my oven how should i treat them?

I put them in the bath tub, pour boiling water over them, and leave them soaking in the hot water for a bit, and scrub with an abbrasive scrubber pad with a little dish soap. that's all I ever do, never bother to bake. But i am using branches without bark for the most part, so they are easy to clean.

 

[DJ Richey Rich]

if you have or know someone with a sand blaster you might want to have ur branches done it takes off all the bark and fungus growing on the outside

 

[Yessabub]

Yeh there isnt really bark on these sticks either there from little maple trees

 

[summoner12]

I would do what Sandra said. I don't scrub mine, but I do what she is doing.

 

[DJ Richey Rich]

all maple is toxic red maple http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/red-maple.html carolina-maple http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/carolina-maple.html
swamp maple http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/swamp-maple.html amur maple http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/poison-control/plants/amur-maple.html

 

[DJ Richey Rich]

good thing you mentioned what you were useing

 

[Brad Ramsey]

I don't do anything (cleaning-wise).
Cut them off the tree and into the enclosure they go.

-Brad

 

[Lizardlover]

dry branches wont do anything DJ

 

[Lizardlover]

I don't do anything (cleaning-wise).
Cut them off the tree and into the enclosure they go.

-Brad

I do this as well, just rinse them off and give them a quick scrub.

 

[DJ Richey Rich]

dry branches wont do anything DJ

I have horses and you cant use maple shavings same as dried branches

 

[Cainschams]

I also just cut them off the tree and place them in the cage. Why make things harder than they need to be?

 

[trd1215]

For my cages i just grab them and soak them with hot water for about 10 minutes and let them dry a bit.... I dont think they have any harm if they are already dead and dry from the tree.

 

[Yessabub]

Yeh there isnt really bark on these sticks either there from little maple trees

Sorry i was wrong its actually a little oak tree
are those safe?

 

[nick barta]

I don't do anything (cleaning-wise).
Cut them off the tree and into the enclosure they go.

-Brad

Thanks for a voice of reason, I have never washed, rinsed, or baked branches. Another myth.....

Nick

 

[sandrachameleon]

Sorry i was wrong its actually a little oak tree
are those safe?

I've used oak. hasnt resulted in any issues.
Mostly though I use arbutus (Pacific Madrone).

I like to wash branches because it ensures plant mites/pests and such dont come into my home and infest my other plants. It washes away fungal spores and bird poop and bug eggs etc.

 

[kinyonga]

I've used Norway maple branches in my cages for over 20 years now....and its never been a problem. (Squirrels eat the buds and flowers of them.)

According to this its the leaves of the swamp/red maple that contain the toxins...so maybe only the leaves are toxic?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Acer_rubrum

 

[dmatera]

Since you might be collecting fallen branches in leaf litter; I typically take a dremel and remove all bark, soak in a 10% bleach solution for ~10min, then rinse with water before placing in enclosures to keep any stray spiders from hatching. Just my 2 cents.