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I have found a few pieces of Driftwood from the Mississippi River and I want to be sure it is rid of mites or anything else harmful to my Balls.

I have cut them to size, sanded them, and now have them in a deep freezer to hopefully kill off mites. I am also thinking of heating them for an hour in an oven at 300-350 degrees.

Does anyone have experience of the sort? Am I being over precautious? Thanks.
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-Iman

1.1 Balls
0.1 Boa (BCI)
0.0 Experience
100.0 % LOVE

Hope it helps...

Hey,

Yes, I sold some driftwood on Ebay and I have plenty here in Louisiana. Several years ago I used a water and bleach solution ( HEAVILY DILUTED ) to clean the wood. After doing so I ran the hose over the driftwood for a good five minutes+ soaking every crevice. Then I let it completely dry out in the sun. However, I do not know that this is the BEST procedure, but I have known other herpers that have used this method with success. My python did not show any side effects or illness as a result of applying this bleach, water solution.

Heating the wood in an oven also works according to other local herpers. I do not think you can be too careful about disinfecting the driftwood, so try serveral methods on the same log. Example: try using an extremely diluted bleach and water solution and heavily soak the wood afterwards using plain water. Let the wood dry in the sun. Next, heat it in the oven at 350 for a good 20 - 30 minutes. Keep an eye on the wood

Let me know how it goes!

Good Luck to ya,
ToddG.

just wash them off with hot water....if you want to kill ALL animal and fungal/mold spores......soak them in a sik with some bleach in the water for at least 20 minutes..........

easier than freeze and cook.........

lets more room in oven for tat 15 pound turkey.........

JYReptiles

I would be careful how high you heat the wood. Don't want to start a fire in the oven. I've never done this before so read the URL. I know its not exactly your situation but a little education can go a long way.

Check out this related URL
http://www.montana.edu/wwwpb/pubs/mt8405.html

n/p
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-Iman

1.1 Balls
0.1 Boa (BCI)
0.0 Experience
100.0 % LOVE

Hope it helps...

I soak the wood in boiling water for about 10 mins then straight from the boiling water I put it in my deep freezer overnight
then take it out and let it dry.

this has worked for me I have tons of drift wood in my one display cage and it looks great and i've seen no i'll effects from my method

combine my method with some other peoples method. IE the bleach and water solution and you'll be set to go