I use quite a bit of natural wood from the forest. I remove loose bark and try not to use rotting wood. We have a lot of wild grapevine here and that makes great perches for lizards and snakes of all sizes. Sometimes I can find pretty nice gnarly looking branches also.

I treat all of my collected wood by placing in a large black plastic garbage bag and add 1-2 cups of chlorine bleach in an old plastic container. Seal the bag and leave to sit in the sun for a couple of days. This is best done in warmer weather. The black plastic acts like a solar collector and temps can get over 180*F. 160*F is all that's needed for pasteurization to kill all bugs and bacteria, molds, fungus etc.. In addition the heat vaporizes the chlorine making chlorine gas so whatever the heat doesn't kill the chlorine will. After 2 days I remove and leave to sit out in the sun another couple days to let it off gas. By then it's safe to use.

Hope this helps,
-----
BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
1.2 P. m. melanoleucus B/W N. J. Northern Pines
1.2 P. d. deppei Mexican Pines
2.2 P. l. lineaticollis Linis or Lined Pines
1.2 P. m. lodingi Black Pines
0.3 P. c. sayi Kingsville X Stillwater red bulls
1.1 Drymarchon melenurus Blacktail Cribo
1.2 D. corais Yellowtail Cribos
1.2 M. s. cheynei Jungle Carpet
2.6 L. p. pyromelana Arizona Mt. Kings
1.1 L. g. californiae B/W Cali kings
0.0.3 M. f. flagellum Eastern Coachwhips
1.2 G. m. bottegoi Western Plated lizards

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