Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I was just given a 16 inch male CWD and I'm trying to set him up with some climbing branches. I picked up some from a along the rail road tracks by my house and wanted to sterilze them and clean them from any posible chemicals/pesticides.

I have read that baking them in the oven is good for killing any parasites, but does nothing for any chemicals. And using a mild bleach solution is similar, and is not a good idea for wood since it absorbs it.

What methods are best to clean branches of any posible pesticides?

And is there a particular reason why most people remove all the bark from the wood?

Thanks much,
Jim B.

I think that you answered your own question. Removing the bark is the best way to insure that it is contaminate free. Since your lizards are not going to be exactly chewing on the wood, a good rinsing should be suffcient.