Cleaning sticks before placing in enclosure

Billie the Camillie-n

Billie the Camillie-n

Member
I have a 3-4 month old veild cham,and im currently in the middle of making a newer bigger enclousure. Im getting sticks from out side and was wondering if anyone knew how i can clean them WITHOUT a oven. Ive heard of a way to clean them in the tub soking them....but idk if it was just with water ...or if there was certain chemicals that are safe for Billie?....if anyone can help that would be very much appreciated....i dnt want her to catch a parasite or something crazy off these sticka i found in an alley.
 
You could try the good old vinegar and hydrogen peroxide combination.

First spray it with one, then immediately after with the other.
 
When we clean branches, what exactly are we afraid of introducing? Use common sense, cut down good looking live branches and you'll be fine. I used to scrub all my branches, now I've realized it's extra unnecessary work. I think it's one of those things we do without really thinking, why.
 
I had read somewhere that branches too large for an oven needed to be soaked in a bleach/water mixture for 24hrs, then soak in regular water for 48hrs immediately after.
I did this. 3 day process over a weekend.

Wish I would have known it wasn't necessary prior, but hey.
What can you do...
 
Salmonela from bird feces is the thing I'm trying to prevent when I use a 1:20 bleach solution on my collected branches. The odds of having it on the branches you collect is small but then bleach is cheap. Douse with solution let sit, rinse and rinse again until you can't smell bleach. That's my 2 cents.
 
I guess you can be safe if it helps you sleep, but then again has anyone EVER had an issue with this lol? I'd rather not use bleach unless absolutely necessary.
 
jamest0o0 said:
When we clean branches, what exactly are we afraid of introducing? Use common sense, cut down good looking live branches and you'll be fine. I used to scrub all my branches, now I've realized it's extra unnecessary work. I think it's one of those things we do without really thinking, why.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree with the opinion that it is not absolutely necessary to clean them. I tend to think that I would not want insect eggs or even mold spores possibly introduced to an enclosure (or something like that :rolleyes:), but not so concerned with parasites. I don't generally use branches from outside, but if I do I tend to clean with a 10% bleach and water solution. Is it needed? Probably not, but I do like to be on the side of caution.
 
Living in the country I am very aware of the chemicals that are used on fields, fence rows, fruit trees, road sides and that doesn't include the chemicals used on roads. These chemicals drift through the air and are deposited on trees everywhere. ALWAYS wash before placing branches in your enclosure.
I googled "nontixic reptile wood" and found an extensive list of trees that are safe to use with chameleons.
 
Okay I'm not trying to sound argumentative, but if you live near a place with pesticides use common sense, that goes without saying. Do you think pollutants aren't in these animals natural habitat? Many live in fields of crops and on roadsides in Madagascar. Not saying we should try to introduce this but it's absolutely unnecessary in most cases. If you want to that's fine, but I'm just giving people the realistic scoop on it. These arent coral reefs that are going to die from the slightest impurity. Now, i have washed my branches that I've got near farms just incase of any pesticides. But, until I see widespread problems from not sterilizing everything, I'll go ahead and continue to add right from nature. Many of the healthiest animals I've seen are in bioactive, all natural environments. Hell people pull mossy logs out of the forest and throw them in their enclosures with no issues. And of course people will want you to spend time doing something they've been doing, because it'd hurt to think of the wasted time lol.
 
jamest0o0 said:
Okay I'm not trying to sound argumentative, but if you live near a place with pesticides use common sense, that goes without saying. Do you think pollutants aren't in these animals natural habitat? Many live in fields of crops and on roadsides in Madagascar. Not saying we should try to introduce this but it's absolutely unnecessary in most cases. If you want to that's fine, but I'm just giving people the realistic scoop on it. These arent coral reefs that are going to die from the slightest impurity. Now, i have washed my branches that I've got near farms just incase of any pesticides. But, until I see widespread problems from not sterilizing everything, I'll go ahead and continue to add right from nature. Many of the healthiest animals I've seen are in bioactive, all natural environments. Hell people pull mossy logs out of the forest and throw them in their enclosures with no issues. And of course people will want you to spend time doing something they've been doing, because it'd hurt to think of the wasted time lol.
Click to expand...

I think the advice comes from wanting to provide the absolute "best" environment due to the fact that most of us are keeping these animals in a very small space and the exposure to anything would be concentrated almost constantly in the animal's day to day activities. Just how I look to give advice :). Also not arguing the point though (y).
 
Decadancin said:
I think the advice comes from wanting to provide the absolute "best" environment due to the fact that most of us are keeping these animals in a very small space and the exposure to anything would be concentrated almost constantly in the animal's day to day activities. Just how I look to give advice :). Also not arguing the point though (y).
Click to expand...
Yes, best while still cutting cost. I breed chameleons and know that when they go to their new homes they are very healthy.
No need for argument. People just want opinions and advice. They will make their own decisions.
 
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