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i just bought a large piece of cork wood from my local store which i have been told is a good chance there will be some small ants inside the wood can they harm my snake please help

I dont think ants will harm the snake at all, but that doesnt mean that i personally would want to put ants into their env. Try "baking" the wood to kill off any bugs that might be inside.

>>i just bought a large piece of cork wood from my local store which i have been told is a good chance there will be some small ants inside the wood can they harm my snake please help

how do you bake the wood??

Like you would mommas apple pie, pre-heat to 425 bake for 1hr should be good. let cool and serve.

This 'store' is probably not a reptile specialty store... may even be a normal pet store... point is, they probably don't know, and it is very likely, that those 'small ants' can be mites which are a nightmare to any snake collection.

MITES are tiny black bugs that can easily be seen when adults and engorged with blood walking on your boas body - under the chin (loose skin) - around the eyes...
The babies are nearly microscopic and are miniscule in size and light tan, almost transparent
If your snake gets mites you can usually find some in the water bowl.. look like flecks of black pepper..

I would just put the wood in a bin, spray it with Black Knight, which is IMO by far the best MITE eradication product out there, and close the top. Leave for a few hours, repeat and leave overnight.
Mites eggs usually hatch in about 4 days so I would repeat the steps in 4 days, and the day after that.
You should then check to make SURE there are no mites or any other critters left before introducing his piece to your animals cage.

I'm sure you can find info on Mites almost ANYwhere - just run a search...

Black Knight maybe harder to obtain than Provent-A-Mite but I think it is well worth it. I used both and Black Knight blows the other away.

Take care - Joe
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Thanks and take care - Joe Rollo
'Tis not the stongest of the species that will eventually survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change' Charles Darwin

The title was "Argentine ants attacking my black sand boa".

TO answer you question, yes ants can harm your snake. Some species (e.g., fire ants, etc.) may actually seek out and kill your animals.

SSSammy

potential pest and/or pathogens.

SSSammy

Wood products will easily ignite in a microwave.

branches, and chunks of wood. I think I may have even microwaved pine shavings. At any rate, thanks for the warning. I recommend everyone else be very careful as well.

SSSammy