Using bark from the garden store.

[Neo]

I wannt use bark from the local garden store (1/8" - 1/4" pieces) and was wondering is there a rotine i should go through to sterilize it. I was thinking rinse it, bake it, than sift. That would get rid of and bactria, creppy crawlies, and other ickies. how well does the bark coduct heat and how is it in cages (like how does it react to poop. The reason i wanna use this is that i am building a 4x2x1.5 foot cage and want a new not so expensive bedding aspen is a lot altho i may stay with it.

 

[Rachel]

Try bleaching it (strong bleach soln with hot water) for an hour or so. Rinse until smell of bleach is gone...then stick it in the oven or micro (high temps~bout 200oC). That sould kiil everything and any eggs too.

 

[pipatic]

imho i wouldnt use strong bleach ,as it soaks in to the bark and is near impossible to remove, i wud agree with cooking it lol, but be easier to mircowave it,


personaly i just wash it with a garden hose then let dip dry,
then put in viv and now autom/winter is hear u cud use leaves aswell to make it look good