It all depends on the Size of branches you want to add to your Habitat. I have 2 solid methods as to how to go about preparing them.
Method 1….
Method 1 involves an oven. It’s rather simple but the problem is how small an oven is. Not many of your branches are going to fit into the oven unless you’re attaching many separate smaller branches to add height to them. (That is possible using zip ties or hemp cord.)
Step One: Find the branches you would like to use for your habitat from Chameleon SAFE Trees.
If necessary cut to proper size to fit into the oven you are using.
Step Two: Preheat your oven to about 300 Degrees.
Step Three: Place Branches in Oven and let Bake for Two and a half hours.
Step Four: Shut off the Oven and let branches sit to cool off
Step Five: Once Branches are cool, remove from oven and depending on the look you are going for you Branches may be ready for placement in your Chameleons Habitat.
Personally I Remove the dried out bark and sand off the branch to make sure there are sharp pieces I missed or anything. You can never be too careful.
This process is the Safest. Heating it to that degree will kill any bugs or parasites living on or within the branch. Be sure to cool the branch before
Method 2….
This Method requires a little bit more work. This is more for the Larger Branches you would like to include in your Habitat or Free Range. In doing this you Must Remove all bark from the product.
Step One: Find or Purchase the Branches you would like to use for your Chameleon Habitat. Make sure they are Chameleon safe.
Step Two: Take a razor blade or whatever tool you would like to use to remove all the bark from the Branches and remove it ALL.
Step Three: Sand the entire branch.
Step Four: Soak the Branches in Boiling or as close to boiling water as you can get, for about an hour and a half. The water will slowly cool off. It’s sort of the same process as the oven except the heat will soak in faster as the water is absorbed into the wood. The heat should kill all the bugs and parasites. The problem with this method is it now requires drying time.
Step Five: Hang your branches in a warm sunny place to dry out. Drying time differs for thickness of the branches. Typically drying time is about 1 to 2 weeks. The Branch unless thin will take longer than this to dry but it will dry it out enough for the safely for the Chameleons. It will finish the drying process in the Habitat under your lighting system. DO NOT worry about spraying the branch it is safe to get wet. When I say dry out I mean in the center of the branch and unless you soak the branch in water for at least 15 min it shouldn’t get more then surface wet.
Step Six: Sand branch again thoroughly to remove any access materials that you wouldn’t want your Chameleon to accidently digest. Then wipe with a damp towel.
Step Seven: Place in Habitat For your Chameleons Enjoyment.
You can also make a diluted safe cleaner mixture and add to boiling water then slowly pour over branches that are too large to fit in the tub to soak. Not recommended because tiny insects and parasites can hide in cracks in the sticks and this way does not kill them.
A hair dryer or heater is helpful in drying sticks.
Method 1….
Method 1 involves an oven. It’s rather simple but the problem is how small an oven is. Not many of your branches are going to fit into the oven unless you’re attaching many separate smaller branches to add height to them. (That is possible using zip ties or hemp cord.)
Step One: Find the branches you would like to use for your habitat from Chameleon SAFE Trees.
If necessary cut to proper size to fit into the oven you are using.
Step Two: Preheat your oven to about 300 Degrees.
Step Three: Place Branches in Oven and let Bake for Two and a half hours.
Step Four: Shut off the Oven and let branches sit to cool off
Step Five: Once Branches are cool, remove from oven and depending on the look you are going for you Branches may be ready for placement in your Chameleons Habitat.
Personally I Remove the dried out bark and sand off the branch to make sure there are sharp pieces I missed or anything. You can never be too careful.
This process is the Safest. Heating it to that degree will kill any bugs or parasites living on or within the branch. Be sure to cool the branch before
Method 2….
This Method requires a little bit more work. This is more for the Larger Branches you would like to include in your Habitat or Free Range. In doing this you Must Remove all bark from the product.
Step One: Find or Purchase the Branches you would like to use for your Chameleon Habitat. Make sure they are Chameleon safe.
Step Two: Take a razor blade or whatever tool you would like to use to remove all the bark from the Branches and remove it ALL.
Step Three: Sand the entire branch.
Step Four: Soak the Branches in Boiling or as close to boiling water as you can get, for about an hour and a half. The water will slowly cool off. It’s sort of the same process as the oven except the heat will soak in faster as the water is absorbed into the wood. The heat should kill all the bugs and parasites. The problem with this method is it now requires drying time.
Step Five: Hang your branches in a warm sunny place to dry out. Drying time differs for thickness of the branches. Typically drying time is about 1 to 2 weeks. The Branch unless thin will take longer than this to dry but it will dry it out enough for the safely for the Chameleons. It will finish the drying process in the Habitat under your lighting system. DO NOT worry about spraying the branch it is safe to get wet. When I say dry out I mean in the center of the branch and unless you soak the branch in water for at least 15 min it shouldn’t get more then surface wet.
Step Six: Sand branch again thoroughly to remove any access materials that you wouldn’t want your Chameleon to accidently digest. Then wipe with a damp towel.
Step Seven: Place in Habitat For your Chameleons Enjoyment.
You can also make a diluted safe cleaner mixture and add to boiling water then slowly pour over branches that are too large to fit in the tub to soak. Not recommended because tiny insects and parasites can hide in cracks in the sticks and this way does not kill them.
A hair dryer or heater is helpful in drying sticks.
