Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Just transfered lizard into a larger tank. working on the set up. would like to use some larger branches for him to climb on. heard somewhere you could disinfect or clean branchs you find outside. think it had something to do with soaking it in bleach and water.

If anyone know how to do it or anything like this, please let me know. Thanks!

Don't have any personal experience with this but I've read many posts that say if it will fit in the oven, you just bake it for an hour or so to kill any nasties that may be living in the branch. Not sure what temperature the recipe specifies. Also, I'm sure your insurance company would appreciate if you didn't leave the oven unattended while doing this! Good luck!

For Branches that won't fit in the oven I found wrapping them in plastic bags so they are air tight or near air tight after spraying them with bleach. Than leave them in the sun for a few days (only works in the summer here) the sun will heat up and bake the interior while the bleach will kill what it doesn't. After a few days remove and disgarde plastic and rinse the branch. This works for big logs as well, I have some 10' in my Iguana enclosure.

Also with the oven anything over 140 will kill bacteria so don't go nuts with temps, like the previous poster said the Isurance company might get mad.

Good Luck
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Jeremy

"I am become death, the destroyer of worlds" July 16, 1945 Robert Oppenheimer

1.1 Double Het "Sharp" Snow RTB's
1.1 Hypomelenistic RTB's
0.2 Pastel Hypo RTB's
2.0 Double Het Stripe Albino RTB's
0.1 Suriname RTB
0.1 Anerthrystic RTB
0.0.10 Red Bearded Dragons
1.1 Rhinoceros Iguana's
1.0 Green Iguana
1.0 Ball Python
1.1 Cream Golden Retrieviers
1.0 Pomeriaian
0.2 Catus Terribilis
0.1 Spouse
1.0 Child

I have baked tons of branches. It works great, I think I usually just put the oven 150 or so...too hot will burn it obviously.
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Jason