Alternative branch treatment

[darren81]

Originally Posted by wildlifewarrior

OK this might be better in the habitat section, but i posted it here as this is the section i use and its the reason i posted due to the amount of snake keepers asking for help and advice.
Its also mainly good for people that cant use there oven/freezer and so on or have a branch too big

Theres other methods but personally this is what i use and have done for over 10 years...i also like this person as it allows you to keep the bark on without risking any problems to your snake.

You must already have a safe type of wood and also must be free of woodworm....this method will kill the woodworm but your branch will be weak already.

This method also cuts out the soaking in the bath,freezing and cooking for too larger branches


Firstly you need a safe speices of tree to use
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Next you need to cut it down to size,sand edges and give it a quick scrub
(i couldnt photo graph this due to lacking enough arms)

Next once thats done....boil the branch, a few kettles repeated 2 times is fine.
image

Once this has been done, you then want to use a disinfectant solution (bleach or an alternative can be used provided its in a safe ratio,but i prefer this) you can spray or pour it over the branches and then give them a scrub.
image

give it an hour and then use an antiseptic solution use as iodine ,again in a safe solution such as 1:2 with warm water. Scrub this into the branch and allow it to dry.
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then give another hour before pouring boiling water over one last time
image

The thing is when a branch is living, it has living creatures in it. when the branch dies these bugs start to leave but the problem is that branches are either then put into the enclosure or left lying on the grown....dead branches then encourage other types of insects and the probelm happens again.
To stop this you you need to dry them out....this WILL kill all insects and fugus,mould under the bark and means you wont have to strip them off.

you can dry them out in 2 ways....keep them somewhere dry and ABOVE grownd like a greenhouse...or have them in your house.
image

2 weeks is enough to dry them out.
And to prove it i took some branches i had done all of the previous and dryed them out...and some i had done all the previous, but i didnt dry them out, i just added them in 2 seperate empty vivariums setup for a corn.

the one that was dryed out...i scraped the bark off one part to show you no growth or insects at all
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as you can see closer that its completey clean underneath and was no reason to remove the bark other than to prove this
image
all you have to do is break the cycle of growth


Now the branch that wasnt dryed out looks great on the outside,but when you strip the branch and look, you notice the insects still living in there and also very damp still
(sorry if you cant see the insects,my camera couldnt focus in enough)
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I still left this branch a futher 3 weeks....and look what begins to grow on it
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yet the one dryed out is still brillant and nothing has grown on or in it....

Just the methods i use and never once had a problem as the pictures show

Hope this helps someone

Wow nice and detailed great help to us all i think looks like you've done it again lol.

[darren81]

If wildlifewarrior was a mod would make life easyier.

[foggy01.1983]

Originally Posted by darren81

If wildlifewarrior was a mod would make life easyier.

If if was a mod then this forum would be based on nesquick !

[wildlifewarrior]

Originally Posted by darren81

Wow nice and detailed great help to us all i think looks like you've done it again lol.

thank you

Originally Posted by darren81

If wildlifewarrior was a mod would make life easyier.

why lol? power isnt really my thing

[faultydroneunplugged]

heya, I know the dealio with found wood, but in regards to bought wood from a rep shop, like some grape vine/bamboo root etc.. is it ok just to just brush off any dust etc.. then douse it in f10 disinfectant and leave it to dry?
or do i need to oven it as well?

[wildlifewarrior]

Originally Posted by faultydroneunplugged

heya, I know the dealio with found wood, but in regards to bought wood from a rep shop, like some grape vine/bamboo root etc.. is it ok just to just brush off any dust etc.. then douse it in f10 disinfectant and leave it to dry?
or do i need to oven it as well?

well you dont need to oven any wood...that was the purpose of the thread, but with shop would you can just disinfect it and use it. just remember most woods from reptiles shops arent treated

[faultydroneunplugged]

Originally Posted by wildlifewarrior

well you dont need to oven any wood...that was the purpose of the thread, but with shop would you can just disinfect it and use it. just remember most woods from reptiles shops arent treated

oh yea lol slow brain today
cool. thanking yee

[SnakingSprout]

Great thread

[wildlifewarrior]

Originally Posted by SnakingSprout

Great thread

cheers dude

[turbo1869]

How can I tell quick tree is safe or not as I have no clue what tree is what ??

Could i just go to my local woods and just get some wood ??

Thanks