Home Depot Bamboo safe?

[MnGuy]

Hi Everyone,

Are the long, dried bamboo poles that they sell at Home Depot safe to use in chameleon enclosures? These are the relatively thin poles (6 feet tall?) that they sell in the outdoor garden section next to plastic poles that you'd use as a stake for plants, climbing vines, etc.

I was at Home Depot the other day and asked them if the poles are chemically treated in any way, and the guy wasn't sure.

Thanks!

 

[Calypratus]

bamboo is not dangerous in any way from what I know. Good for climbing on. It should be fine, I used fluker's bamboo sticks in my enclosure.

 

[salty dog]

I just cut branches off trees

 

[MnGuy]

Thanks for all of the input, everyone.

I use safe branches from my trees, too, but I like the idea of using some bamboo to build a strong frame for attaching branches, vines and plants. I like the rigidity and uniform width and size of the bamboo.

 

[salty dog]

I've heard natural bamboo is ok, although I think the smooth surface is hard for cham to grip onto it, using an inside frame of bamboo is a great idea!!

 

[SharpShooter]

I've heard natural bamboo is ok, although I think the smooth surface is hard for cham to grip onto it, using an inside frame of bamboo is a great idea!!

Agree with @salty dog . They need to be roughened but also be very aware of bamboo splinters... not nice. I think Oak dowels are better. Bit more costly but there ya go.

 

[MnGuy]

Thanks for the advice. The dowels available at hobby/home improvement stores? That’s a good alternative. Thanks!

 

[SharpShooter]

They are over here so assume you guys can get em. Make sure you get oak and not pine though. I got them in different diameters and 2m lengths and just cut to size.

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

I just built a tower of wooden dowels from Hobby Lobby cost me $10 after tax I think. It's definitely sturdy enough to hold a few potted plants.

 

[SharpShooter]

I just built a tower of wooden dowels from Hobby Lobby cost me $10 after tax I think. It's definitely sturdy enough to hold a few potted plants.

It's likely pine at that money which isn't good for reptiles. I could be wrong but be careful.

 

[CC's Baby]

I bought the group of 3 branch sets at Hobby Lobby when they have them on their 50% off of naturals sale. They are as thick as bamboo but they are great for climbing and strong for mounting.

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

It's likely pine at that money which isn't good for reptiles. I could be wrong but be careful.

I'll look into that. It's pine but it is also baked or heat treated so I think it should be ok.

 

[salty dog]

I have done what you are doing, I made a frame on the inside of my viv out of thick mulberry branches, it works very very well, and very space efficient, I've been told oak is better than mulberry, but I havn't had any problems with mulberry yet, fingers crossed

 

[MnGuy]

I have done what you are doing, I made a frame on the inside of my viv out of thick mulberry branches, it works very very well, and very space efficient, I've been told oak is better than mulberry, but I havn't had any problems with mulberry yet, fingers crossed

How did you attach the pieces? String, glue, notched joinery, etc?

 

[CamoChameleonsHuman]

I used zip ties.

 

[salty dog]

Zip ties and twine

 

[MnGuy]

I ended up creating a frame out of Home Depot bamboo, tying it together with a rubber-coated metal twine, and then using a Dollar Store willow wreath as vines.

Carefully unraveled the wreath, boiled it in a big pot, taking out the wood and turning it around halfway through since it’s too big to fit in all at once, and then stretched it out when it was wet to straighten it a little.