What is the best way to sterilize outdoor branches.

[Scott_k]

I was wondering what are some different ways that I can bring out door branches into my amazon tree boas enclosure. I heard that they can go in the oven, or in a tub with hot water and bleach. My biggest concern are mites and things of that nature that can hurt the snake. Since I have never done this before any advice would be greatly appreciated.

 

[TeguBuzz]

Bake the wood in the oven at 250-300 degrees, no more than that - for some 15 mins or so. I've always set temps at 300 and sat around until it looked nice and complete.

 

[Bubblz Calhoun]

For this time of year one of those options would be your best choice depending on the size of the limbs and your oven. Also if you don't mind using your oven for something like that.
Other than that in the summer time or when the weather gets hotter seal them in black trash bags and leave it out in the sun for a few days. The heat and lack of oxygen should kill just about any and everything that's harmful.
It's an old gardening, waste and recycling technique to let mother nature do the work.

 

[james.w]

Are the branches off the ground or cut from the tree?

 

[Scott_k]

I have alot of trees by me so I can either cut them or pick them up off the ground. Is one perferred over the other?

 

[james.w]

The ones on the ground are generally where the bugs will be. Just cut some off and put them in the enclosure. Your snake won't get mites from tree branches.

 

[Cassie]

I'd sanitize them no matter where you collect them. Sorry but bugs, bacteria, etc can be anywhere...not just on the ground.
We bake branches and rocks and such in the oven before they go into our enclosures.

Better safe than sorry.

 

[Dubya]

I do the trash bag thing like bubblz does with everything too big for the oven. In winter it may not get hot enough though. Don't assume there are no bugs in winter. The eggs survive the cold