Outside sticks

[Dexter13]

Hey guys

I am still in the process of building my stand and putting my cage together and wanted to add some sticks from my backyard but had a couple of questions. Do I need to de-bark the whole branch or can I just pick off any flaky parts? Also I know some people bake their sticks to kill anything on them, what temp and for how long? I have some sticks that are too long to fit in the oven, can I just pour boiling water over them? And can I just use regular soap and water and rinse them really well or do I need special reptile safe soap/cleaner?

Thanks
-Tyler

 

[MamatoElvis]

I only sand the sharp parts. Any part that feels like it might injure your Cham. The branches that fit in your oven you can bake at 300 to 350 for 15 or 20 min. I've also done 200 degrees for about 30 min. You just want to kill any potential bugs or parasites. I used 10 parts water to 1 part bleach on the branches that didn't fit. Then I soaked them in The bathtub of plain water until you couldn't smell any bleach anymore. This was suggested by another member. I do know that a lot of members just use dawn soap to scrub the branches.

 

[jannb]

I use branches from outside allot but never any with bark on them. I'd be afraid the chameleon would pull it off and eat it. There was one thread on here where an adult panther choked to death on bark from his branch. I never baked mine but sometimes my husbands throws them in the pool for a couple days and then suns them a few days afterwards. You could probably just mist them with 50/50 bleach and water and let them set for awhile and then rinse well. You should also sun them for awhile after bleaching them before putting them in the cage.

 

[Carlton]

Hey guys

I am still in the process of building my stand and putting my cage together and wanted to add some sticks from my backyard but had a couple of questions. Do I need to de-bark the whole branch or can I just pick off any flaky parts? Also I know some people bake their sticks to kill anything on them, what temp and for how long? I have some sticks that are too long to fit in the oven, can I just pour boiling water over them? And can I just use regular soap and water and rinse them really well or do I need special reptile safe soap/cleaner?

Thanks
-Tyler

I scrub them so any crumbly flaky bark or fresh sap gets removed. Intact bark is left on...it helps exercise their feet and trim nails. Washing in a 1:10 bleach to water solution, rinsing and drying is all I do to prep them.