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spanish moss or HatchRite for moist hide

T

tracy0416

Tracy
Joe is in blue and I need to make a moist hide for her. She didn't like papertowel last time.

All I have on hand is Spanish moss and a bag of HatchRite. Just in case something gravid shows up at my door ; )

Which would you use?

Thanks!
 
I've used neither for a hide before. In fact, I've never heard of hatchrite in a hide box. Hatchrite is too pricey to use for a hide box... save that for the eggs.
I've always used sphagnum moss for a shed box (when needed). You can buy it cheap and it retains moisture for a long time.
 
I'd think the Spanish moss would be ok. I always find big globs of it outside, but leave it, because I don't want to bring bugs in. But it's so pretty, and the perfect texture.

Nanci
 
Nanci,

What I do with the moss I buy from the store which might work for you…I use a vegetable steamer to “autoclave” it (minus the pressure). I doubt many critters are going to survive a steam bath for 10 minutes.

You might still have bugs in your moss…but they’ll be dead bugs :)

Regards,
Steve
 
Cool- but does the moss get cooked?

And do you have a way to get whatever is living in Jake's giant grapewood branch out? I get sawdust out of it all the time. Something's in there. Bake it?

Nanci
 
Actually, I was a bit surprised myself but the moss didn’t loose any of its color or texture.

There are a couple of things you can try to rid Jake’s grapevine of bugs. Boil it in a large stock pot or submerge it in a 5% bleach solution. If you choose the bleach route, don’t forget to rinse and dry the piece thoroughly.

I hope this helps.

Regards,
Steve
 
It's too big to boil: (That cage is 24"- Jake's branch sits diagonally in it. That's Maizey modeling- Jake wasn't here yet.)

Nanci
 

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Sorry about not answering this earlier. Yes baking it would work as well. I would bake it at 250 degrees for 2 hours.

Regards,
Steve
 
Wouldn't the bleach soak into the wood and basically be impossible to completely eliminate?

I'd wrap it in foil and bake it, if you can fit it in your oven.
 
I have soaked my wooden hides in bleach overnight before and after letting them dry thoroughly (at least 1 week) there was no noticeable smell of chlorine left on the hide.

I could be wrong, but Roxanne hasn't complained so far.

Regards,
Steve
 
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